Ahead of tonight’s PS4 launch, Sony has suggested that the additional PlayStation Camera does not yet have enough benefits to make it a must-have add-on.
While the Xbox One comes bundled with a second-generation Kinect camera to offer cameras a range of voice and motion system control and gaming options, the PS4 compatible PlayStation Camera is an option extra which Sony itself is not convinced will grab gamers’ attentions.
“At launch there is some interesting stuff with the camera but I wouldn’t describe it as must-have,” Fergal Gara, Managing Director of Sony Computer Entertainment UK said speaking directly with TrustedReviews.
Although capable of offering similar motion and voice features as Kinect, the PlayStation Camera will be relatively limited and under supported at launch. The PlayStation Camera will set wannabe owners back £49 in the UK.
“At launch, the best demonstration of what can be done with the PlayStation Camera can be found in the Playroom which is installed on the PS4,” Gara told us. “That is just a set of mini games though, it’s not positioned as a full game but it does showcase some quite innovative usage and interface demonstrations.”
Looking to the future, the Sony head suggested that the PlayStation Camera will become a more viable purchase than at present.
“I expect interesting games to come down the line,” Gara said. “Yes we don’t expect to have 100 per cent install base on the cameras, but I think if the right game comes along, that’s compelling enough, then that’s a great reason to buy a camera.”
Detailing the company’s decision to offer the PlayStation Camera as an optional extra rather than a bundled component of its next-gen console, Gara added that the company wanted to give gamers the options rather than have to inflate the PS4 price.
“We felt it was more important not to insist that the gamer purchases the camera, but give them the option to have a camera if they wish,” he said.
Remaining realistic on the PlayStation Camera’s ability to succeed, he added: “It will take a big game that really demonstrates its features to bring new people in to the camera.”
Read More: Xbox One vs PS4
