PlayStation VR2 specifications detailed

Sony reveals PSVR2 specifications

Sony has finally announced the PlayStation VR2 specifications, including details about the PSVR2 Sense controller.

“Building upon our innovations from PS5, PlayStation VR2 adds a true next-gen experience with high-fidelity visuals, new sensory features, and enhanced tracking – along with a simplified single-cord setup.”

• OLED display with 2000×2040 pixels per eye
• Frame rates of 90/120Hz supported
• Approximately 110 degrees field of view
• Six-axis motion sensing with IR proximity sensor
• Four cameras: headset, controller and eye tracking
• PSVR2 is expected to launch towards the end of the year

Quick setup: The PSVR2 Sense controllers will feature haptic feedback much like the DualSense controllers, and the headset only requires a “single cable connected directly to PS5” to immerse you in VR, so the external camera is no longer needed. 

First game: Sony also announced Horizon VR – Call of the Mountain from Guerrilla and Firesprite Games, featuring Aloy, other “familiar faces” and new characters.

What was the first non-Valve game released on Steam?

a) Braid
b) Rag Doll Kung Fu
c) Lugaru HD
d) One Finger Death Punch

The answer will be revealed at the bottom of today's issue. Join up with our community on Twitter and Facebook to discuss what the answer could be.

Community Day brings back Bulbasaur, Sword & Shield starts ranked Season 26

Pokémon Go is returning to its roots with a Community Day Classic: Back to Bulbasaur on January 22nd from 2:00pm to 5:00pm local time, including a Shiny variant.

Evolve Ivysaur during the event “or up to two hours afterward” to get Venusaur with Charged Attack Frenzy Plant. Event bonuses include 3x Catch XP and a snapshot surprise.

Rank reset: Season 26 of Pokémon Sword & Shield is underway with new Ranked Battles following Series 11 regulations, which means you can enter battle with one Legendary by your side.

Eligibility: The January 2022 season lasts until 4:00pm PST on January 31st. Galar Pokédex No. 001-397, Isle of Armor Pokédex No. 001-210, and Crown Tundra Pokédex No. 001-209 are allowed.

SEGA Sammy discusses Sonic and NFTs

Sega Sammy recently held a management meeting where Sonic the Hedgehog and NFTs were discussed by senior corporate leadership.

The executives answered questions about Sonic Frontiers, its open world concept and projected sales figures. They hope Sonic Frontiers will “go beyond the first year sales” of Sonic Forces, the previous major Sonic game.

Out this year: Sonic Frontiers was scheduled to launch in time for Sonic's 30th anniversary, but was postponed until 2022 to allow the development team to “further brush up the quality.”

’Play-to-earn’: On the subject of NFTs, Sega is taking a careful approach focusing on user interest and perception: “If it is perceived as simple money-making, I would like to make a decision not to proceed,”.

Konami Winter Sale with up to 92% off

The holiday season may be over, but the Konami Winter Sale can still warm your heart with discounts up to 92%!

Grab Metal Gear Solid V for just £4.57, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow at £2.99, and some horrific Silent Hill Homecoming for a trifling £2.02.

• Axolotl Islands finally coming to Minecraft: Bedrock Edition as part of New Year’s update which also includes super-slimes
• Lots of new goodies coming to Xbox Game Pass including Mass Effect Legendary Edition as well as Outer Wilds, Spelunky 2, and lots more in January
• Death Stranding: Director’s Cut is now listed on Steam and 505 Games expects to launch this spring
• Activision is suing the German website EngineOwning for the marketing and sale of “malicious cheats and hacks”
• Riot Games has announced a “global settlement” of a class-action suit paying complainants $80 million over discrimination

What was the first non-Valve game released on Steam?

ANSWER: Rag Doll Kung Fu!

Steam is a juggernaut of digital distribution, but it had humble beginnings. The very first game published on the platform aside from Valve's own titles was not exactly a heavy-hitting AAA extravaganza. No, it was a silly, mouse-controlled kung-fu game with ragdolls.

You could (and can!) grab the aptly named Rag Doll Kung Fu for a buck. The game was made by Mark Healey, who worked at Lionhead at the time and later went on to co-found Media Molecule and make LittleBigPlanet. You can learn more about Rag Doll Kung Fu from a People Make Games documentary on the game and its place in history

Today's issue of DailyBits was written by Gavin Herman, Erlend Grefsrud, Simon Priest, and Jamie Davey. If you have any feedback or news tips for the team, please email us!