During GDC 2014 Sony introduced the world to Project Morpheus, SCE’s prototype virtual reality (VR) system that works with PS4. Virtual reality is the next innovation from SCE that is about to  will determine a new direction for games.

People have long dreamed about VR and the possibilities it brings in regards to game development. This new technology will deliver a sense of presence, where you as the player actually feel like you’re inside the game and your emotions feel that much more real. The mounted headset works alongside the Playstation Eye, DUALSHOCK 4 Wireless Controller and PS Move to attempt to deliver a full virtual reality experience.

The current prototype for Project Morpheus features a head mounted display with 1080p resolution and a 90 degree field of view. Accelerometer and gyroscope sensors built into the head mounted unit as well as PlayStation Camera accurately tracks head orientation and movement, so as your head rotates, the image of the virtual world rotates intuitively in real-time. Project Morpheus also features  new 3D audio technology that re-creates stereoscopic sounds in all directions and changes in real-time depending on your head orientation.

The prototype for Project Morpheus is the culmination  3+ years of work as Sony has been working to polish their vision for Virtual Reality. The prototype will serve as the first development kit for PS4 developers that are as enthusiastic about getting this new medium into the hands of consumers everywhere.

At GDC 2014 this week, attendees will be able to check out Project Morpheus in action at the SCEA booth through a handful of technology demos and most likely even more news will be revealed during E3 later this year.

My Take: It’s a bold move for Sony and the gaming community to embrues this next era in gaming. I’m skeptical about all of it but from some of the people that have actually had the chance to try the technology, they’re really hopeful for the future. So my opinion can’t really be formulated until I get that rig on my head and experience it all for myself.

There’s no word of price for any of this and of course you don’t be running in place to move your character but it’s still innovation. It’s a little scary to see something once thought only attainable in movies that we saw as kids, become a reality. To infinity…and beyond.