PlayStation VR: Sony backed for success as PS4 smashes expectations

PLAYSTATION VR has been backed for success in 2016, while Sony has spoken more on their aims for the PS4 console.

PlayStation VR has been backed to sell big in 2016

According to research group SuperData, 2016 is going to see impressive sales in the emerging VR market, powered by the release of the Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR, and HTC Vive.

The VR industry as a whole is predicted to generate $5.1 billion in 2016, a huge jump on the $660 million made in 2015.

Consumers will flock to mobile VR experiences, with Google Cardboard predicted to be the biggest device with 27.1 million units sold in 2016, while the more premium mobile VR experiences will sell 2.5 million units.

Oculus Rift and HTC Vive have a healthy combined 6.6 million units benchmark set, with Sony's PlayStation VR ending the year with around 1.9 million.

PlayStation VR will be released this year alongside other high-end devices

With those numbers predicted, it's easy to see just how profitable these high-end device could turn out to be for manufacturers.

"Looking at the consumer market in more detail, we observe that especially younger consumer groups show a strong interest in virtual reality," the SuperData report reads.

"However, this consumer group does do not have the spending power necessary to support high-end devices. It is the more mature demographics that have the disposable income, with 18-54-year-olds saying they're willing to spend around $280 for hardware.

"Likewise, emerging markets like China are volume-reliant since average user revenue is low. Platform holders will initially heavily subsidize their hardware to build up significant market share."

Sony CEO Kaz Hirai spoke more on the PS4 console during CES 2016, revealing how it had set a benchmark for his company and a tough act to follow with nearly 36 million systems sold in two years.

"PlayStation 4 sets a benchmark for our organization in terms of collaboration, of engineering, creativity, artistry, and also experiential design," Hirai commented.

"Sony's innovation has inspired the creativity of enthusiasts, gamers, developers, and publishers, who are devoted to the PlayStation 4.

"The PlayStation 4 is the embodiment of those things that we value as an organisation: powerful technology, advancement ahead of the curve… PlayStation 4 has built a very passionate community."