We tried Sony’s new XYN headset: a game changer for 3D content creators

In the past few years, the market has been flooded with VR headsets, including the Meta Quest, Apple Vision Pro, and many other competitors, as companies race to get into the space.

At CES 2025, Sony unveiled the latest addition to the field – a new VR headset and an entire line dedicated to spatial 3D content: the Sony XYN.

What sets the Sony XYN headset apart from the competition is its focus. Unlike other VR headsets aimed at consumers for gaming or media consumption, the XYN line is specifically designed for creators working on 3D content development.

Mashable had an exclusive opportunity to preview Sony’s XYN headset at CES, where it tested the headset’s advanced spatial imaging solutions and got a first look at the company’s latest motion capture studio.

Sony XYN headset

Sony already has a presence in the VR space with its PlayStation VR line, so introducing a new headset may come as a surprise to some. However, the Sony XYN headset is not aimed at the average consumer – it is designed specifically for creators working with 3D spatial content.

Equipped with small 4K OLED displays and advanced video vision capabilities, the XYN headset allows content creators to fully immerse themselves in a 3D world. This makes it easy for them to collaborate and use 3D models on a platform optimized for local content development.

The headset is lightweight and comfortable, making it suitable for long-term use – perfect for creators who need to work for long periods of time. However, it is important to note that the Sony XYN is still in the prototype stage. For example, Sony has indicated that the controllers may be completely redesigned before the final version is released.

XYN Spatial Capture

While the Sony XYN headset got the attention, Sony’s XYN Spatial Capture solution really stood out at CES.

This revolutionary tool allows users to easily create 3D models of real-world objects. The XYN Spatial imaging solution can turn those images into photorealistic 3D CG assets by simply taking a few photos with a mirrorless camera.

It was interesting to see how these two products – the XYN headset and the location capture – work together. You can capture images of a physical object, convert them into a 3D model, and then interact with the model in VR, all within a streamlined workflow.

Credit: Mashable

Sony is also developing a mobile app that will allow creators to use their mobile cameras in the same process, allowing for more flexibility and accessibility in 3D content creation.

XYN Motion Studio

Of the three products that Sony unveiled in its new XYN line, the XYN Motion Studio was, without a doubt, my favorite.

Credit: Mashable

Sony already offers a motion capture product called mocopi, a set of 3D motion capture sensors that users wear on their bodies to track movement. However, Sony has taken its XYN Motion Studio a step further by offering full-featured motion capture studio software.

XYN Motion Studio uses 12 mocopi sensors to capture and integrate the user’s movements into a comprehensive editing program. Creators can then fine-tune these movements and apply them to the 3D models of their choice, giving them precise control over the captured animations.

Credit: Mashable

The app is designed to make motion capture more accessible, allowing content creators – be it animation, games, or visual production – to use this advanced technology without needing access to a large, physical motion capture studio.

The most impressive feature of XYN Motion Studio is its ability to fill motion gaps. For example, if mocopi’s sensors miss certain movements in a sequential 3D model, the software can intelligently generate realistic movements based on surrounding movements to fill in the missing part. This feature makes the motion capture process smoother and less dependent on perfect, uninterrupted tracking.