Sony reveals Project Morpheus Virtual Reality headset

Sony Computer Entertainment took the stage at GDC 2014 to announce the development of Project Morpheus − a virtual reality system for the PlayStation 4.

Morpheus features a visor style head-mounted display and works with PlayStation Camera to deliver a unique VR experience. Inertial sensors built into the head mount unit and PlayStation Camera accurately track head orientation and movement so as the player's head rotates, the image of the virtual world rotates in real-time. Furthermore, in supporting games, the player can use a PlayStation Move Controller as an object, such as a sword. Morpheus will reproduce the player's hands and sword within the game.

Morpheus adopts 3D audio technology uniquely developed by SCE. In addition to sounds coming from front, behind, left and right, Morpheus re-creates stereoscopic sounds heard from below and above the players. Sounds that players hear change in real-time depending on their head orientation, creating an immersive 360-degree virtual world.

Detailed specifications of Project Morpheus prototype include a 5 inch LCD screen, 960xRGBx1080 per eye resolution, producing a 90 degrees field of view.

Shuhei Yoshida, President of SCE Worldwide Studios, stated: "Project Morpheus is the latest example of innovation from SCE, and we're looking forward to its continued development and the games that will be created as development kits get into the hands of content creators."

GDC attendees can try the headset at the show with one of a few technology demos, such as EVE Valkyrie (CCP), Thief (Square Enix), The Castle (SCE), and The Deep (SCE).

SCE will continue development of Morpheus looking towards a future commercial launch. The Morpheus dedicated SDK is currently under development and will become available when ready.

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