Introducing the next generation of VR on PlayStation

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Introducing the next generation of VR on PlayStation

First details on the next-generation VR system coming to the PS5 console.

Hideaki Nishino Senior Vice President, Platform Experience, SIE

More than four years ago, we launched PlayStation VR to offer a transformative new way to play games on PS4, providing a much stronger sense of presence and deeper immersion to players compared with traditional games. In that time, we’ve seen tremendous experiences that have propelled virtual reality gaming forward, including highly acclaimed titles like Astro Bot: Rescue Mission, Tetris Effect, Blood & Truth, Moss, Beat Saber, and Resident Evil 7 biohazard. We’ve also enhanced the experience for some PS VR titles when played on PS4 Pro and PlayStation 5.

Today I’m pleased to share that our next-generation VR system will be coming to PlayStation 5, enabling the ultimate entertainment experience with dramatic leaps in performance and interactivity. Players will feel an even greater sense of presence and become even more immersed in their game worlds once they put on the new headset.

We’re continuing to innovate with our new VR system so that our fans can continue to enjoy the unique experiences that are synonymous with PlayStation. We’re taking what we’ve learned since launching PS VR on PS4 to develop a next-gen VR system that enhances everything from resolution and field of view to tracking and input. It will connect to PS5 with a single cord to simplify setup and improve ease-of-use, while enabling a high-fidelity visual experience. 

One of the innovations we’re excited about is our new VR controller, which will incorporate some of the key features found in the DualSense wireless controller, along with a focus on great ergonomics. That’s just one of the examples of future-proof technology we’re developing to match our vision for a whole new generation of VR games and experiences. 

There’s still a lot of development underway for our new VR system, so it won’t be launching in 2021. But we wanted to provide this early update to our fans, as the development community has started to work on creating new worlds for you to explore in virtual reality. 

We also want to thank all of our PS VR players for your continued support — with upcoming games like After The Fall, Sniper Elite VR, and Humanity, there’s much more to come for PS VR whether you’re playing on PS4 or PS5. With both PlayStation VR and the next-generation VR system we’re building, our commitment to virtual reality as a medium for games is stronger than ever. We look forward to sharing more details in the future!

PlayStation VR2PSVR2

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371 Comments

  • rollcage-66
    February 23, 2021 at 9:29 am PST

    someone commented above saying playing wireless on the quest2 is only for small board games ..thats absoltely not true, i can play any steam vr title wireless including medal of honour using virtual desktop,so i still enjoy my psvr on a ps4 pro but i would have to be mighty impressed with the psvr2 & its games for me to buy a ps5 with the new headset,wireless is the way forward

  • Lismred
    February 23, 2021 at 9:34 am PST

    I would pay a premium for a wireless headset. Would also be great if it had a front facing camera you can enable to see the outside world without the need to adjust the headset. Movement sticks on both controllers would also be a huge improvement!!! I still play my PSVR regularly after owning it for several years and can’t wait for an awesome upgrade!!!

  • the_man72
    February 23, 2021 at 9:38 am PST

    I hope all my PSVR games will work on it not planning on rebuying the lot ! I am hoping it wireless also

    I cannot for it in 2022

  • Pringle72
    February 23, 2021 at 9:43 am PST

    VR has to be experience….Until you have played games like ASTRO-BOT or MOSS on VR, then you can’t really know why VR is so amazing. I will be there DAY 1 like before. The ride so far has been worth every penny…. Can’t Wait !!!

  • cyberseal82
    February 23, 2021 at 9:46 am PST

    Then why even make a post or comment about it when this entire article/ statement is so ambiguous that it offers nothing in the context about this ” New VR ” system you’re working on?

  • cpt_rimjaw
    February 23, 2021 at 9:48 am PST

    I can’t help but feel that virtual realities future lies in wireless headsets.
    I own psvr and occulus quest 2. Quest 2 is so good and popular mostly due to it being wireless. I’m not sure I’d pick up the next psvr if it’s a wired unit.

  • Pringle72
    February 23, 2021 at 9:49 am PST

    The one thing I found the PSVR has over types of units, is the way you can still play with it socially. We play horror games, Beats Saber, Shooting Games and many others…. and its great you can all watch how each person is doing. I find the other Units, are more isolated, and everyone gets bored waiting for their go… and no knows what the other is doing… so you feel less connected with everyone.

  • feel-my-wraith1
    February 23, 2021 at 9:50 am PST

    Incredible news. Can’t wait for this. Good work Sony

  • futurezeus
    February 23, 2021 at 9:57 am PST

    HELL YEAH!!!!

    100% in!

  • JulienCollins
    February 23, 2021 at 9:59 am PST

    This is the Way!!!!!

  • opretteren
    February 23, 2021 at 9:59 am PST

    What a shame it wont be wireless.
    That is one of the Big problems with the current PSVR.

  • futurezeus
    February 23, 2021 at 9:59 am PST

    I wasn’t planning on getting a PS5 but will now buy 2 or 3 of them once the PSVR2 comes out.

  • Lego_My_Eggo
    February 23, 2021 at 9:59 am PST

    My main hopes for PSVR2 is that it works with PC and works with old PSVR1 games. If you get those two things and at a reasonable price im in. I have been tempted to get an Oculus at there price and performance, but the facebook situation was a deal breaker. And all other good headsets you are looking at a fairly big jump in price. I don’t have the best gaming PC so ill still probably get most games on my PS5, but there are a few VR games and apps that it would have been nice if the VR headset i had already worked with it.

  • thekindzombie
    February 23, 2021 at 10:00 am PST

    I think when it comes to VR headsets, you’ve got 2 options,
    1) Go wired for high performance
    2) Have low performance with everything on board so it can be wireless

    Although some high power ones have the expensive adapter to use it wirelessly, I don’t see Sony doing this with PS5. Their strategy is affordable and accessible VR for as many as possible. The amount of R and D, production line, manufacturing costs etc for an expensive wireless adapter Vs how many of the player base would use don’t really make it viable.

    I’m not too bothered about the wire anyway, just give me thumbsticks so I can walk normally :D dualsense features are a nice extra.

  • singlensassy
    February 23, 2021 at 10:04 am PST

    This needs to be cordless with a dock to charge. The cord kills immersion. Cord = no buy.

  • gpowmx
    February 23, 2021 at 10:04 am PST

    Thanks for the next generation of PSVR!!!

  • DuoMaxwell007
    February 23, 2021 at 10:04 am PST

    I just hope its 100% backward compatible with PSVR1 games that way I dont need my current headset breakout box and move/aim controllers

  • nigeyboy
    February 23, 2021 at 10:10 am PST

    Sweet, great news! Don’t forget to make us a new aim controller too, combined with firewall it was one of the biggest highlights of this first PSVR generation. Nothing came close in terms of immersion and that multiplayer feeling like you actually hung out with mates.

  • AndreFidalpheus
    February 23, 2021 at 10:17 am PST

    Great news. Please consider PC compatibility, as otherwise it would be a deal breaker for me.

    Also wondering about whether this will support PS4 VR games. Hopefully it does!

  • deadly_amadeus
    February 23, 2021 at 10:20 am PST

    Fais vraiment plaisir !
    Une plus jolie définition et moins de câble et l’objet de rêve est arrivé !
    Au niveau licence vous avez déjà de jolie réussites…
    Une envie peut être de nous faire traverser la licence Half-life !!!
    Cadeaux d’avenir du prochain Playstation plus !
    A+

  • johnquincydabams
    February 23, 2021 at 10:27 am PST

    Last October, my PSVR headset malfunctioned after 4 months of use. I sent it to PS for servicing, and they have refused to do anything about it.

    They lied to me for 5 months, and keep blaming FedEx.
    Even though FedEx says PS handled it from their end…

  • CapCom85
    February 23, 2021 at 10:30 am PST

    Mir fehlen die Worte….Astrobot war für mich nach Super Mario World 2 ein Schritt in eine neue Zeit des Gamings….egal was kommt MACHT WEITER !

  • Gravy_Biscuits_
    February 23, 2021 at 10:33 am PST

    Man, I’m excited for it but also disappointed because I wanted it to be wireless SO BAD!!!

  • Electrox3d
    February 23, 2021 at 10:36 am PST

    All I need is a lighter headset so my neck doesn’t hurt after using it for 30min. The PSVR is the most comfortable and well balanced headset, but making it lighter is a win for me.

  • Shadowake71
    February 23, 2021 at 10:40 am PST

    “There’s still a lot of development underway for our new VR system, so it won’t be launching in 2021”

    Why is this even being reported on??? Let us know when you have a product to show us with a relaease date.

  • OttoT
    February 23, 2021 at 10:53 am PST

    Make sure Half Life: Alyx is going to be on it otherwise I have zero interest.

    • yakitysmakity
      February 23, 2021 at 11:32 am PST

      Yaaaaassss. & I already own Alyx on PCVR, but this would push the adoption rate so much. They could pay Valve for the port, let them have all the profits, and it would still make them money with all the additional sales.

  • wikidlad
    February 23, 2021 at 10:57 am PST

    Untethered would be so much better

  • My_Path
    February 23, 2021 at 11:05 am PST

    What?! :-D
    Oh my God (of War)!
    A day to celebrate <3
    I'm just getting gitty thinking about Haptic Feedback in VR.
    Hope for some Remakes (Bioshock, Burnout, Resistance Trilogy, Killzone, Black, Dead Space, Borderlands 3, Mirrors Edge, Red Dead Redemption 1+2, Cyberpunk 2077) some Spin-Offs from Sony IPs (Sly Cooper, The Order 1886, Spider-Man, Ratchet & Clank, Last of Us, Horizon, Ghost of Tsushima, Bloodborne, God of War) Sequels (Golem, Immortal: Legacy, Astrobot, Blood and Truth, Statik, Moss, Star Wars: Squadrons, Sairento, Super Hot, Saints & Sinners, Separation, Ace Combat) and new Game Ideas in VR :-D
    And don't forget Resident Evil 8 :-P
    Can't Wait <3

  • KazeEternal
    February 23, 2021 at 11:11 am PST

    1) Make sure the damned thing supports proper passthrough for 4k, 8k, hdr, 120hz etc out of the box. None of this garbage where I’m swapping cables on my PS4 Pro because I was the unfortunate victim of lack of communication at Sony Interactive Entertainment over their hardware refreshs. If there is a PS5 Pro coming TALK TO THEM THIS TIME! I’m hoping that by saying “single cable” this problem is being addressed by simply eliminating a break out box.

    2) Why not a wireless version? Only thing holding PSVR back, besides controllers made specifically for it.

    3) Make sure I can basically play Skyward Sword on this thing with these new controllers, btw make a skyward sword type adventure for this thing, cause you don’t own skyward sword.

    4) Will it support PSVR Games and provide enhancements like the PS5 does for many PS4 titles?

    5) Analog sticks

    6) Beat Saber Day One Pack or Update with a special PlayStation Song Pack to go along with it.

    Can’t wait to hear more. Love my PSVR and hopeful for a Blood and Truth 2 (doesn’t even have to be a direct sequel)

  • playonplayerone
    February 23, 2021 at 11:20 am PST

    I’ve been waiting for this. I hope they don’t use fresnel lens, I like the original psvr style. No idea what they have planned but I’d love to see some games use a precision pressure application sequence on the controller input to allow for skill in powering up things such as weapons or magic. So only the correct precise pull or arm movements create maximum power, anything less might still work but weaker. Example, say you are in a game where magic is a part, you pull triggers to that powers spec and do a certain hand gesture, like street fighter fireball style, and if your movements are perfect, you’re rewarded with more intensity. I can’t wait to find out what they do. I’m a fan of psvr. Can’t wait for the ps5 to become purchasable so I can see how the original psvr works in dreams, no man’s sky and blood and truth. Ramble over.

  • FalseCracMedEvac
    February 23, 2021 at 11:20 am PST

    The no wires on the Quest is pretty amazing

  • yakitysmakity
    February 23, 2021 at 11:26 am PST

    Pay Valve for a PS5 port of Alyx!!!! If it was a day 1 launch game, you would SELL SO MANY VRs!!!

  • kobayshi_reiko
    February 23, 2021 at 11:34 am PST

    “It will connect to PS5 with a single cord…” So I’m guessing processor unit will be connected to PS5 by usb cable and headset will be wireless? If so, that’s perfect and it’s a Day One purchase for me.

  • justjohnnym
    February 23, 2021 at 11:35 am PST

    So excited! I’m glad they didn’t do it dirty like the vita!

  • jinxxiii
    February 23, 2021 at 11:37 am PST

    Oh great. Something I really want, but have no way to play because I can’t afford $1600 for a PS5! Put VR on hold & increase production of the console! Common sense is no longer common as its so rare it’s now considered a superpower. Sheesh!

  • mars_lives
    February 23, 2021 at 11:48 am PST

    So it won’t be wireless?? That’s the main reason I never use mine, that cord bugs.

    • NeoMahi
      February 23, 2021 at 11:59 am PST

      Cost of wireless is absurd. Theyve learned from SEGA and from the PS3 if its not cost effective, it wont sell, it has to be affordable to masses and average consumer, which right now apparently evident with COVID and everyone whose lost their jobs as a result of it. Youre not the majority, youre the minority and in democracy, the majority always wins. Why do you think the PS5 isnt unique PS hardware as was the PS4 before it? The PS3 was but PS4 wws identical to the Xbox One and now PS5 is identical to the Xbox Series X. Corporate sabotage? Consoles use to he vastly different from each other at one time, now, corporations are afraid if losing the market by not having powerful enough hardware (Microsoft). Anyway, Sony has a bigger problem before them to address, scalpers. You cant sell PSVR 2 to consumers that cant buy a PS5, what sense does that make?

    • SidNightwalker
      February 23, 2021 at 12:01 pm PST

      Heh, you think they’re going to actually make it be rationally priced, wired or not? Obviously you don’t pay attention.

    • KLEEBANKLIBAN
      February 23, 2021 at 3:24 pm PST

      @SidNightwalker PSVR dominated the VR market. It didn’t have the best visuals, or the best tracking, and it definitely didn’t have the best controllers. PSVR dominated purely because of how affordable it was. You are in no position to comment on how much attention others paid lol.

      R&D is the reason new tech is priced so high. The same is true for any of the latest tech. The final parts don’t just get instantly thought up and slapped together, so you can’t just look at the components and and come up with a price. Companies pay people to spend years on brainstorming, experimental engineering, testing, and then starting all over again and again. It’s very expensive. Companies need return on investment or they would go out of business.

      The only reason consoles can sell so cheap is because the content you purchase for the hardware also goes to the manufacturer, and they can trust collective software sales to make up for all the R&D, and often even part of the hardware cost on top of that. This is why consoles can be sold at a loss, while say TV’s which get no cut of video sales generally wouldn’t sell at a loss.

      The VR market was in its infancy and couldn’t count on as many software sales, so while I’m sure software sales were factored in somewhat, they couldn’t have as great of an impact on price. The market has started to grow a bit, but it’s still very small so PSVR2 likely won’t be able to depend on software sales much more than PSVR1. Hopefully by next gen the market grows enough that software sales can account for a more significant chunk of the R&D costs.

  • SidNightwalker
    February 23, 2021 at 11:50 am PST

    Yeah I bet you’ll overcharge for it. Not that VR is anything special.

  • NeoMahi
    February 23, 2021 at 11:53 am PST

    A lot of people didn’t like him but Phil Harrison took on a really challenging role building up the PS3. He also actively sought out developers to bolster the PlayStation ecosystem (something hes failed to duplicate both with Microsoft and now with Google Stadia). Next up was Big Daddy Jacky T. Jack Tretton had his work cut out for him moreso battling the challenges of maintaining the PS3 name and having to battle the PlayStation Network Outage. Sony dumped the responsibility on him and he came out swinging. He also really pushed for and developed PlayStation Studios, he took gambles with acquisitions like Media Molecule and Sucker Punch. His drive was to squeeze whatever creativity out of developers he could, to motivate and nurture the studios under his care. Fast forward to Andrew House we got…. Wonder Book and Hideo Kojima …. Alright. Jim Ryan? Well, the fact of the matter with ol Jim is he likes to play it safe. I dont know why Sony keeps going back to British CEOs. Nothing gets done with them. Holiday and 2 Hour lunch breaks, theyre just not aggressive enough. Look at both CEOs for SEGA, they went in like bulls and did the unthinkable Japan hadnt the balls to do. “Bundle Sonic 2 with every SEGA Genesis”. Japan thought Kalinski wws mad but, look at what ultimately happened. SEGA was HUGE!

    My point is this. Weve learned with this that Sony developed a business plan for the PS5. Its black and white set in stone and thats a major problem. Theyve just announced PSVR 2 and are moving on with thay trying to sell hardware to consumers that cant even purchase it yet. HELLO! YOUVE GOT A MAJOR PROBLEM ON THE CONSOLE FRONT! Sony havent done anything to address the scalping issue, theyre just letting things go. Consumers cant purchase your hardware Sony because, oh yes, more Brits are hording them. People cant buy another PSVR headset without the hardware to run it genius’! Solve the Scalper problem, dont just continue on, youve gotta take things in chunks, otherwise, youre gonna experience this same problem with your headset because scalpers were able to get away with it with the PS5.

    • SidNightwalker
      February 23, 2021 at 11:58 am PST

      They’ve stopped caring about actual product quality and customer experience, period, flat out. That’s the problem yeah.

    • honeydew69
      February 23, 2021 at 1:36 pm PST

      You are correct!!!!! They could easily stop the scalpers but do not. Stop online sales limit 1 per customer. I am not paying 3-4 times market. Might as well start playing on PC.

  • SidNightwalker
    February 23, 2021 at 11:55 am PST

    Oh and I WILL reiterate, the actual VR games that are out there are just not that interesting. Not compared to actual, top tier experiences from your standard genres they’re not. You are way too easily impressed by shiny things if you think otherwise.

    • KLEEBANKLIBAN
      February 23, 2021 at 12:56 pm PST

      Yeah, you are right. It’s probably hard to convince devs to devote their time to making a AAA VR title when the market is so much smaller than the traditional console market. People don’t appreciate the resources Sony likely poured into Skyrim, RE7 and Borderlands 2. VR software is further along than it would be thanks to Sony, but it has a wayysss to go.

      Hopefully this gen the market grows enough that Sony can justify doubling the AAA ports they help fund.

      Though the best thing Sony can do is develop software to easily translate PS5 games to VR, giving devs little reason not to make games VR compatible.

      So much progress was made last gen with limited tech. I’m optimistic this gen will be when VR hits a point that I will play it on a regular basis.

  • LOCO209
    February 23, 2021 at 11:55 am PST

    Hell yeah. Woot woot. Hopefully we don’t have to buy an entirely different camera. Lol. I have the ps4 one with adapter and a ps5 one, but I’d be like wtf if us PlayStation fans had to buy another.

  • spookyxelectric
    February 23, 2021 at 12:09 pm PST

    Ahh, I hope it’s backwards compatible with PS4 VR titles. I always wanted to play Astro Bot Rescue Mission and Moss, but never got around to purchasing a PSVR headset. After playing Astro’s Playroom on PS5, I’m even more anxious to play Rescue Mission.

    • yakitysmakity
      February 23, 2021 at 12:44 pm PST

      Agreed! And Astro Bot Rescue Mission is much better. I like Playroom, but it was more like an interactive museum of PS, sprinkled with fun dualsense setpieces. Rescue mission is a legitimate great platformer, unique in its use of VR.

  • groundgod01
    February 23, 2021 at 12:19 pm PST

    Please guys loose the cords on the vr, please no more cords I beg of you

    • yakitysmakity
      February 23, 2021 at 12:36 pm PST

      I get it. I want it. I’m used to quest 2/PCVR with Virtual Desktop. But there probably just isn’t a cheap AND stable option available. If sony did come out with it, it would be incredible. But I think we’d be waiting longer/paying more. Right now, I just hope they get everything else right with the headset, tracking, controllers. And hopefully people support it since I think Playstation is still in a great position to push VR forward (and get to all-wireless ASAP)

  • Kishnabe
    February 23, 2021 at 12:20 pm PST

    Hope the Next Generation of Handhelds is next :).

  • yakitysmakity
    February 23, 2021 at 12:23 pm PST

    For anyone complaining about it being tethered, (I get it, I have a quest 2 and virtual desktop for PCVR and it’s awesome) I think a stable version of that tech would be expensive. An optional wireless system would be great, but then people might feel like they’re not getting the full experience without it. So I want it, but I understand if it’s just not worth it to Sony yet. However, most of the PSVR exclusives and many other PCVR games can be played seated or with limited movement, and a tether won’t affect them much. And there are pulley systems available for cheap if you want to walk around freely.

    And for the people complaining it’s not coming in 2021. Reserve that energy! (as if gamers would ever run out of complaints) It’s worth the wait if they get it right. I’d actually be worried about them launching this year because of the current jumps in VR resolution/framerate. If Sony learns from the PSVR 1, and launches with a competitive resolution, it will be worth it. If they wait and launch with inferior specs, than we can all yell at them. And I do feel like we’re nearing a point of diminishing returns. I can still see pixels on the Quest 2, but it’s pretty damn sharp. Reverb even more so. Companies can keep adding, but even using the current screens at 90 or 120 fps requires massive power, which I would rather have spent on complex physics or more detailed textures. So hopefully they take the time to find a good balance, with good lenses, minimize halo effect (great on the psvr 1 btw), maximize the sweet spot, keep the whole thing comfortable, etc.

    Oh, and they should also launch with Half-Life: Alyx. Pay Valve whatever they want. I’m just gonna keep saying it until it happens.

    • KLEEBANKLIBAN
      February 23, 2021 at 12:47 pm PST

      Agreed. People just don’t understand what they would be giving up for a wireless PSVR at a price Sony can begin to consider. Give me resolution, draw distance, dare I say HDR!!!

      Though wireless is important and hopefully later this gen tech will get to the point that an equally capable wireless version can launch at a price people will pay.

  • killabeebeegun
    February 23, 2021 at 12:31 pm PST

    Hard pass. Wireless is not just the future but it’s also the present. The fact that it will still have to be wired when all of the competition is wireless is ridiculous. Not worth it.

    • yakitysmakity
      February 23, 2021 at 1:00 pm PST

      That’s not accurate. I already posted on here, I also want wireless, I’m used to it now with Quest 2 and Virtual Desktop for PCVR. But ALL of the competition is definitely not wireless. MOST of them are not. I use the only Oculus PCVR wireless option, but it’s an app that needs to be sideloaded on the quest (i.e. not officially supported) because it’s not 100% stable and adds a little latency. The only officially supported wireless PCVR i know of is the adapter for the Vive, but it’s $300+ by itself, and can also have issues. Feel free to list them if there’s new ones, the tech is always changing, but the HP Reverb 2, Valve Index, Odyssey and Pimax 8K are all tethered. & if you’re talking standalone headsets, that’s not at all the same thing.

  • foxhoundbear_
    February 23, 2021 at 12:33 pm PST

    None of this matters as we can’t get a ps5

  • mironov2708
    February 23, 2021 at 12:39 pm PST

    Gooooood news!!!!!!

  • KLEEBANKLIBAN
    February 23, 2021 at 12:42 pm PST

    Thank you PlayStation! So glad you didn’t try to go wireless! For years I’ve been worried you would get overzealous and try to do every “improvement” you could imagine, and jump the gun on wireless.

    Wireless is very important down the road, but the cord was nowhere near as immersion breaking as the visuals. The graphics have always been well below desirable, which is understandable for the time, but now it’s time we get a significant visual upgrade. In VR’s current state, not worth compromising visual gains to remove a single cord.

    Let’s tackle immersion breaking elements in the order of importance, and after visuals and controllers are in a comfortable place, wireless will be the most significant element to immersion. As soon as a wireless version of PSVR2 can match the wired version (at a reasonable price), that should be your top priority.

  • honeydew69
    February 23, 2021 at 1:11 pm PST

    What is the point? Still cannot purchase a PS5 counsol. I am sure that when the VR is released we will still be in the same situation. Sony has done absolutley nothing to combat the scalpers with bots that buy up every available release then charge 3-4 times value.

  • Gadget_Gundam
    February 23, 2021 at 1:36 pm PST

    Here will ueeesss super glad to see this and in super excited, the few VR titles ive played so far have been great just waiting to see more. Heck im kinda shocked there isn’t a main stream shooter out yet for VR like killzone or cod VR would have been nice to see by now. Hopefully in the future! Also hoping that they focus on the screen itself in love using the headset to play no VR titles as well that 90hrz is splendid with Titanfall 2 and Modern warfare, even just for youtube anf netflix! But the overall visuals is definitely due for an upgrade! Please take your time to make sure u got it right sony!

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