PSVR 2 Introduces First Game Featuring Controller-Free Hand-Tracking

Sony made a big move back in December by rolling out hand-tracking support for the PSVR 2—a feature many VR fans had been eagerly waiting for. This update allowed developers to refine their games and let players dive into a more immersive experience using the headset’s built-in tracking cameras. Leading the way, Waltz of the Wizard (2019) has become the very first game to incorporate this hand-tracking on PSVR 2.

Since its initial debut as a free demo for the HTC Vive in 2016, Waltz of the Wizard has certainly evolved. Players were initially introduced to a whimsical alchemy lab perched atop a tower, giving them a taste of magical mischief. Fast forward to its paid release in 2019, the game expanded significantly. It introduced fresh abilities, engaging voiced characters, and a robust magic combat system, all within a richly-developed dungeon setting. Further enriching the experience, the ‘Natural Magic’ expansion launched in 2021 deepened the game’s magical encounters and explorative elements.

Yet, the journey doesn’t end there for developers at Aldin Dynamics, who have continually refined the game. With nearly 9,000 reviews on Quest, it’s clear that their community appreciates these ongoing efforts.

Although Waltz of the Wizard carries the distinction of being the first PSVR 2 title to feature hand-tracking, Aldin Dynamics has long been at the forefront of utilizing advanced technologies to heighten immersion. Even back in its earlier days, Waltz of the Wizard stood out. Aldin Dynamics employed their own innovative data and visualization tool, Ghostline, to fine-tune the game’s level design and gameplay meticulously, setting a precedent for user-focused development.

Their blog post highlights, “From the outset, Waltz of the Wizard was crafted with natural hand interaction at its core, ensuring that every motion and interaction feels both magical and intuitive.” The game encompasses an extensive suite of features such as natural object handling, subtle and deliberate interactions, a seamless movement system, and hands-on communication with the character Skully through specific gestures.

This recent update doesn’t just introduce hand-tracking to the PSVR 2 iteration of the game. It also enhances Skully’s responsiveness to hand gestures and interactions, which Aldin Dynamics describes as “lifelike and immersive, effectively bridging the gap between the player and the virtual world.”

For Quest users, there’s good news as well. All the PSVR 2 hand-tracking capabilities have now been integrated into the Quest version, following the platform’s own hand-tracking enhancement in 2020. An additional Quest update, known as the Handbook, is expected to arrive “soon,” offering a comprehensive guide to mastering these features.

If you’re already wielding your magic wand with Waltz of the Wizard on PSVR 2, the free update should be available to you today. However, if you’ve been waiting to delve into this enchanting world, be sure to grab it on the PlayStation Store for $20 and prepare to conjure spells like never before.