The PlayStation VR has had a slow start to life. As we’ve previously reported, the headset’s library is in a pretty dismal state, with very few games having been announced for its near future and it currently possessing nothing in the way of a true “system seller.” As a result, the company is reportedly looking to adopt a more aggressive marketing strategy prompted by “slower-than-expected” sales.
Sony is allegedly looking to expand its marketing to commercial customers, positioning the PlayStation VR as a headset that can be used by companies along with gamers, with theme parks and arcades in Japan being the first targets on the hardware manufacturer’s list.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Sony is planning to install the PSVR in a number of locations across Japan, bringing the headset to potential customers rather than vice versa. The report claims that Sony hopes this will help improve consumer interest, leading to greater fortunes for the headset.
Despite this report indicating that the PSVR is in trouble, Sony has kept relatively quiet regarding how well the headset is performing. Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Andrew House had previously stated that the hardware was on track to hit one million units sold this month, but aside from that Sony has rarely mentioned the PSVR and has given very few updates regarding its plans for the future.
The last time House discussed the PSVR, he had this to say: “You literally have people lining up outside stores when they know stock is being replenished. It’s the classic case in any organization — the guys who are on the front end in sales are getting very excited, very hyped up. You have to temper that with other voices inside the company, myself among them, saying let’s just be a little bit careful.”
If the WSJ‘s report is correct, then it is still unclear whether or not Sony plans to bring similar PSVR installations to the US and other regions. If the reason behind the lack of an update regarding the headset is due to its struggling fortunes, then hopefully this new marketing strategy will bolster its sales and PSVR owners will finally be given something to look forward to post-launch.
