Sony takes on Oculus

Now it’s Sony versus Facebook.

After being knocked around by Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. for more than a decade, Sony Corp. is up against yet another tech rival, attempting to build the PlayStation 4 into an entertainment powerhouse and develop a virtual-reality headset for the gaming market.

And in this fight at least, the Tokyo-based conglomerate, which has lost money in five of the last six years, might have an edge. Sony’s commanding lead in sales of video-game consoles could give a boost to the Project Morpheus headset the company will show off at the Electronic Entertainment Expo. The chief competition is Oculus VR Inc., the virtual-reality goggle pioneer being acquired by Facebook Inc.

“You not only have the weight of Sony, you have the weight of a renewed Sony gaming business, and have to factor in the fact they make TV shows and movies,” said Mike Vorhaus, senior vice president of the research firm Frank Magid Associates.

The video-game division at Sony is one of the few bright spots for a company whose television business hasn’t been profitable in about a decade and whose smartphone and tablets are perennial also-rans to those from Apple and Samsung. (Bloomberg)