Virtual reality goggles are a hot topic again with gamers
Virtual reality goggles are hip again, with Sony (SNE) and Microsoft (MSFT) developing headsets for their newest video game consoles. A staple of science-fiction movies since the 1980s, VR goggles have yet to break through to the consumer market. Now, major video game companies are jumping into the segment for the first time since Nintendo (NTDOY) flopped with its Virtual Boy goggles. Those goggles were launched in July 1995, but then discontinued within a year. Late Tuesday, Sony Computer Entertainment (SNE) announced the development of Project Morpheus, a virtual reality system for its PlayStation 4 game console. The device is in the prototype stage and the company is planning a future commercial launch, Sony said in a press release. Morpheus represents an opportunity “to push the boundaries of play,” Shuhei Yoshida, president of SCE Worldwide Studios, said in a statement. “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.”