GAME is charging customers to try PlayStation VR – and people aren’t happy about it

The video game retailer is asking for £5 for 10 minutes of virtual reality gameplay
New gear: the PlayStation VR headset launched earlier in October and costs £350
Sony Computer Entertainment Inc
Ben Travis25 October 2016

The arrival of Sony’s PlayStation VR headset has made virtual reality technology more accessible for the general public – and people are naturally curious to try it out.

However, high street games retailer GAME has come up with a system that has not been met well by customers – charging £5 for a 10 minute demo, or £15 for 30 minutes.

If customers then choose to buy a unit, which costs £350, the demo charge will be deducted from the price of the headset.

The company advertised the demo opportunity in store and online to a backlash from the gaming community, with some labelling it as “ridiculously wrong” and “disgusting”.

Some are concerned that charging to test the unit will put potential customers off trying the new technology.

Not all Twitter users are angry about GAME’s decision to charge

PS VR launched earlier in October as an add-on for the PlayStation 4 console. The unit allows users to play virtual reality games at home, with the added use of a PlayStation camera and handheld PS Move controllers.

Sony are touring the VR headset offering free demos for players, and said that the decision to charge was “at the discretion” of Game.

PlayStation VR headset

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In a statement, GAME said: “Our pay-to-play PlayStation VR experience is a GAME-led initiative.

"The cost to use the in-store PS4 pod is entirely refundable for customers that go on to buy either the headset or a PS4 console. The payment allows us to ensure that we have dedicated staff manning the PlayStation VR pods who have been fully trained to adhere to best practice demo guidelines.

"The demos are intended to give our customers access to one of the most exciting new gaming technologies in 2016 and provide them with the opportunity to get a feel for VR before they commit to buy.”

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