Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) has only introduced its Project Morpheus virtual reality (VR) head-mounted display (HMD) in 2014, but the company had been working on it for a long time. Of course, the device has been developed around the same time as the Oculus Rift HMD for PC, making for a huge renaissance for the technology over the past few years. That presents one big question for both SCE and Oculus to answer; why now?

That question was recently pitted to Project Morpheus’ Dr. Richard Marks at the 2014 PlayStation Experience. Speaking on a panel for the technology along with the likes of Dave Ranyard and Shuhei Yoshida, Marks revealed that, in terms of SCE, the company felt that the PlayStation 4 was the company’s first console that could handle VR technology. He reasoned that, before the arrival of the PlayStation 4, the technology that could handle VR simply wasn’t affordable enough to bring into homes.

It’s not yet clear when Project Morpheus will launch. In its current form the device supports positional tracking, allowing players to move their heads around in an experience, as well as a 1080p screen. Of course, this is only a prototype model which is expected to see an overhaul ahead of the consumer release, along with a new name. VRFocus will continue to follow Project Morpheus, reporting back with any further updates on the device.