Star Wars Battlefront PS4 VR Version Will Showcase the Allure of VR, Sony Says

On the fence about virtual reality? The PlayStation 4 virtual reality version of Star Wars Battlefront could be the game that convinces you virtual reality is for real, according to Sony.

Vice president of marketing John Koller recently discussed Battlefront's PlayStation VR version in an interview with Fortune, saying it could be a "killer app" for the system.

"We are working with EA, DICE, Lucasfilm, and Disney to try and make that experience something so special and so intrinsic to what's in many people's DNA, which is, 'How can I be in that world of Star Wars?' Koller said. "Battlefront is going to be one of those games that will really show gamers what it means to be in the world of VR. It's very special. And just by the nature of it being designed as a VR experience, it's going to be very different than the PlayStation 4 game."

The Battlefront VR version will be exclusive to PlayStation VR. Koller went on to compare the traditional console and VR markets as it relates to exclusives.

"The role of exclusive VR games is a little different than what we see in the general console space," Koller said. "For example, I don't believe that there needs to be one particular killer app. There can be a range of killer apps. VR is so personal. It really depends on what experience that person wants and what they think is really great. That's different than our (console) platform launches, where you generally can say, 'That's the game' (that will help drive hardware sales)."

There are more than 50 games launching for PlayStation VR this fall, and Koller suggested that Battlefront's VR edition may be one of them.

"Star Wars is a great example of something that we will really own during that launch period," Koller said. "But over time there will be games that launch, where we’ve been helping with the development process, that will be most special on PlayStation VR, whether it's exclusive or not. It's going to be best played on PlayStation VR."

Battlefront's VR version was announced during Sony's PlayStation VR event earlier this month at the Game Developers Conference. It is described as a "cinematic gaming experience" based on EA and DICE's first-person shooter. That's basically all we know about it so far, however.

The regular version of Battlefront, which was released in November 2015 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, has shipped more than 13 million copies. According to EA, multiple sequels are in development.

PlayStation VR is due to launch in October, priced at $400. Preorders for the Launch Bundle opened this week, while you'll be able to place a preorder for the standalone unit on March 29.

Star Wars Battlefront PS4 VR Version Will Showcase the Allure of VR, Sony Says

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