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‘Metro: Exodus’ & ‘Arktika.1’ Developer 4A Games Seeking Hires with VR Experience
After briefly dipping its toes into VR back in 2017 with the release of the sleek futuristic shooter Arkitka.1, the studio behind the lauded Metro: Exodus and broader Metro franchise, 4A Games, is seeking new hires with VR experience.
Some three years after the release of Akrtika.1—an Oculus Studios exclusive—4A Games may be planning its next VR project.
“VR Experience a Plus”
Recent job postings indicate the studio is looking for Gameplay Programmers and Senior Gameplay Programmers to “develop and support a proprietary multi-platform game engine.” Among the “preferences” in the job listings: “Oculus Rift/VR experience a plus.”
“We are seeking a Senior Gameplay Programmer to join our team. The job will require development and support for a proprietary multi-platform game engine on new technology platforms in cooperation with other Programmers and Designers to design, implement, polish, debug, and optimize high quality gameplay features and systems,” the listings read.
We haven’t heard much on the VR front from 4A Games after the 2017 launch of Arktika.1. The project was funded by Oculus Studios as an exclusive game for the Oculus Rift which had launched the year prior.
While the VR aspect of the job listings is only stated as a preference rather than a requirement, it suggests the studio is interested in a fresh look into the VR space and wants to ensure that its in-house engine tools support the rest of its team if it were to create VR content.
From our digging it looks like 4A Games first posted the job listings with a preference of VR experience in mid-2019, suggesting the studio could already be already be underway with a new VR project.
Acquisition and “new AAA experience”
Earlier this year, 4A Games was acquired by game developer group Saber Interactive. It vowed it would continue to operate as an independent studio and the acquisition would lead to more ambitious projects based on the Metro IP.
Interestingly, Saber Interactive describes itself as “specializing in applying our proprietary cross-platform game engines to original IPs, as well as executing on a broad array of design, production, and management services—including Oculus and other VR platform development support [our emphasis],” despite not having published any VR projects that we’re aware of.
Last week 4A Games published a ‘Metro 10th Anniversary Studio Update‘ which called back to its prior VR title Arktika.1 while teasing “another new AAA experience.”
Finally—while we expect to be working on Metro for many years to come, we want to stretch ourselves by exploring new projects and new IP. In 2017 we released Arktika.1, a sci-fi FPS for the Oculus Rift, and our first steps towards a goal of being a multi-project studio. We now want to grow this ambition to another new AAA experience that can sit alongside the Metro series. We’re hiring across both our Malta and Kyiv studios to help us bring these dreams to reality, so if you think you have what it takes and want to join our team, head to our careers page and apply!
It’s hard to say whether or not this new project is related to the studio’s interest in hiring developers with VR experience. We reached out to 4A Games for comment but were told the studio is “not yet ready to say anything more about the new IP right now.”
The post ‘Metro: Exodus’ & ‘Arktika.1’ Developer 4A Games Seeking Hires with VR Experience appeared first on Road to VR.
‘Metro: Exodus’ & ‘Arktika.1’ Developer 4A Games Seeking Hires with VR Experience
After briefly dipping its toes into VR back in 2017 with the release of the sleek futuristic shooter Arkitka.1, the studio behind the lauded Metro: Exodus and broader Metro franchise, 4A Games, is seeking new hires with VR experience.
Some three years after the release of Akrtika.1—an Oculus Studios exclusive—4A Games may be planning its next VR project.
“VR Experience a Plus”
Recent job postings indicate the studio is looking for Gameplay Programmers and Senior Gameplay Programmers to “develop and support a proprietary multi-platform game engine.” Among the “preferences” in the job listings: “Oculus Rift/VR experience a plus.”
“We are seeking a Senior Gameplay Programmer to join our team. The job will require development and support for a proprietary multi-platform game engine on new technology platforms in cooperation with other Programmers and Designers to design, implement, polish, debug, and optimize high quality gameplay features and systems,” the listings read.
We haven’t heard much on the VR front from 4A Games after the 2017 launch of Arktika.1. The project was funded by Oculus Studios as an exclusive game for the Oculus Rift which had launched the year prior.
While the VR aspect of the job listings is only stated as a preference rather than a requirement, it suggests the studio is interested in a fresh look into the VR space and wants to ensure that its in-house engine tools support the rest of its team if it were to create VR content.
From our digging it looks like 4A Games first posted the job listings with a preference of VR experience in mid-2019, suggesting the studio could already be already be underway with a new VR project.
Acquisition and “new AAA experience”
Earlier this year, 4A Games was acquired by game developer group Saber Interactive. It vowed it would continue to operate as an independent studio and the acquisition would lead to more ambitious projects based on the Metro IP.
Interestingly, Saber Interactive describes itself as “specializing in applying our proprietary cross-platform game engines to original IPs, as well as executing on a broad array of design, production, and management services—including Oculus and other VR platform development support [our emphasis],” despite not having published any VR projects that we’re aware of.
Last week 4A Games published a ‘Metro 10th Anniversary Studio Update‘ which called back to its prior VR title Arktika.1 while teasing “another new AAA experience.”
Finally—while we expect to be working on Metro for many years to come, we want to stretch ourselves by exploring new projects and new IP. In 2017 we released Arktika.1, a sci-fi FPS for the Oculus Rift, and our first steps towards a goal of being a multi-project studio. We now want to grow this ambition to another new AAA experience that can sit alongside the Metro series. We’re hiring across both our Malta and Kyiv studios to help us bring these dreams to reality, so if you think you have what it takes and want to join our team, head to our careers page and apply!
It’s hard to say whether or not this new project is related to the studio’s interest in hiring developers with VR experience. We reached out to 4A Games for comment but were told the studio is “not yet ready to say anything more about the new IP right now.”
The post ‘Metro: Exodus’ & ‘Arktika.1’ Developer 4A Games Seeking Hires with VR Experience appeared first on Road to VR.
The best weapons in Metro Exodus
Metro Exodus is a very difficult game, and choosing the right weapons is key for surviving the post-apocalyptic Russia that 4A Games has created. These are the best weapons in Metro Exodus.
The post The best weapons in Metro Exodus appeared first on Digital Trends.
Thrive in the nuclear apocalypse with our Metro Exodus survival guide
Metro Exodus is a difficult shooter, especially if you're new to the series' blend of stealth, action, and scavenging. Here is what you need to know to survive the nuclear apocalypse.
The post Thrive in the nuclear apocalypse with our Metro Exodus survival guide appeared first on Digital Trends.
5 Reasons Why Metro Exodus VR Would Be Absolutely Amazing
We often write lists of reasons why big, prominent non-VR games should absolutely get official VR support. Examples of ones we’re still impatiently waiting on include No Man’s Sky, Kingdom Come Deliverance, and Destiny 2. With that being said, it does happen. Just look at Hellblade VR, Skyrim VR, Fallout 4 VR, and Borderlands 2 VR as examples. Usually there is some sort of key justification for it all beyond just “this would be cool!” and this time with Metro Exodus is no different.
If you want to see what I think of the game from a non-VR perspective as a whole, you can read my review here. But consider this both a plea to 4A Games to consider implementing at least head tracking support, if not a full VR version, as well as a list of lessons for game developers on how to make your VR games (or non-VR games!) more immersive.
Arktika.1 Experience
The main reason why I think Metro Exodus is a good fit for VR is the existing experience 4A Games has with VR development. Arktika.1 is a cover-based VR shooter that features a lot of the same tones as their flagship Metro series and even has an eerily similar art style.
We were generally positive in our review of Arktika.1, but since the movement is all node-based teleportation it loses out on some of its potential. Now if 4A could use that prior experience to then deliver Metro Exodus in a VR headset — again, even if it’s just head tracking — that could be huge.
Fantastic Atmosphere
Metro Exodus is one of the most atmospheric and downright palpably tense games I’ve ever played. From start to finish you can feel the oppressive nature of the situation as the characters around you are desperately fighting for survival. Walking through the wasteland evokes such a powerful sense of both sadness for what was lost and hope for the future. It’s extraordinary.
The team at 4A did a masterful job of crafting this world with a great mixture of tight, claustrophobic tunnel environments and wide, sprawling open areas to explore. It’s one of the richest and most detailed game worlds I’ve seen in years and experience it in VR would be magical.
Expert Pacing
What is often lost when a game tries to expand its scope in the way Metro Exodus did from its predecessors is focus. But that isn’t the case here. Metro Exodus is one of the most expertly paced games I’ve ever played. You probably spend only a little over half your time actually shooting things like you would in most other shooters.
Everything else from talking to characters, sneaking around, cowering in fear, exploring areas, and more is peppered in to alleviate the tension and spread out the action. It’s refreshing to see a game that understands immersion and emotional impact is about more than just throwing endless monsters at the player.
Deeply Emotional Characters
Speaking of, the characters in Metro Exodus are wonderful as well. Voice acting is top-notch and facial animations are some of the best in the industry. The thought of being able to stand face-to-face with Anna, the main character’s wife, as she discusses your future together or gazes out over the wasteland aboard your train, the Aurora, would be something truly special.
In VR bad acting and bad animation stick out worse than the screen door effect, so a game that has those notes masted so effortlessly would be incredible to see inside a headset.
Focus On Deep Immersion
Finally, Metro Exodus has an extremely minimalist HUD that feels like it was almost made with VR in mind. Want to know how much time is left before you need to change your gas mask filter? Look at the timer on your wrist. You do the same to monitor radiation levels. Crafting things requires pulling out your backpack and the world around you doesn’t stop.
There is even a dedicated “wipe my mask” button and if you take a lot of damage it could get damaged and start letting toxic fumes in, requiring you to patch it. It’s a very slow-paced and deliberate game that, while still very immersive on a flat screen, would be truly amazing to play in a VR headset.
Are you a fan of the Metro series? Let us know what you think of the games and what you think of Metro Exodus once you play it down in the comments below!
Tagged with: 4A Games, arktika.1, Metro Exodus
The post 5 Reasons Why Metro Exodus VR Would Be Absolutely Amazing appeared first on UploadVR.
Make It A (Virtual) Reality: Metro 2033
Once upon a time, a long time ago indeed, VRFocus had a series called Mod of the Week. This was back when it was more common for people to develop mods and apps to crowbar in basic virtual realtiy (VR) support to existing titles. One of those we featured back in the early days of the website was Metro 2033. However, four years later we still don’t have any official support for the title. In today’s Make It A (Virtual) Reality, Nikholai makes the case why that should definitely be the case.
If there is one series of videogames that has been able to immerse players with the world and story that it is telling, it is none other than the Metro series. based on the popular novels by Dmitry Glukhovsky, they follow the tale of the post-apocalyptic Moscow metro system and the people, factions and monsters that live in and above it. The titles mixed first-person shooter (FPS) and survival horror gameplay in a way that lead to some of the more compelling moments in gaming. Now, with the upcoming release of the third title in the series Metro Exodus early next year I think it is time we talk about another destination for the series, virtual reality (VR).
At its core, the Metro series is about moving through a rich and detailed world full of dangers making use of the equipment you have to survive. Players have options on how to approach most situations be it shooting everything that moves or trying to sneak around unseen. There are even non-lethal take-downs and a karma system within the titles which impact the ending of the story and some scenes as players progress. One top of this there are systems in place that see ammo used for buying goods, monsters to deal with and a supernatural horror element that needs to be confronted as well. All of this in an immersive VR experience could easily result in a title that would set a new standard for VR videogames.
You see, the metro system is a series of tunnels and stations all connected deep underground. As the first entry in the series, Metro 2033 explores, people have had to make these their homes and find ways to survival with the limited resources they have. Venturing outside in the post nuclear war environment is possible but risky business, requiring a gas mask and plenty of gear in order to make it back alive. This means that players could experience not just a thrilling, tense journey through dark tunnels full of danger but have these heart racing moments on the surface. With limited air and ammo, the need to find a way back underground would offer such an adrenaline rush as you carefully proceed forward while watching your back.
Mentioning the gas mask, that is another elements of the Metro series that would work well in VR. You see, the gas mask is a vital piece of equipment that without will lead you dying in this dangerous world. It can be damaged, filters need to be swapped out and you need to clean it to be able to see. All of these actions are usually performed by a button press but actually having to do the motions would offer a truly immersive experience. Picture it, you’re in a fight and once the battle ends you not only need to restock and reload but also wipe the blood and mud off your mask only to find it is cracked and needs replacing. All of which is a psychical movement that requires you to duck, look, reach and explore the environment in full 360-degrees of freedom. It would be amazing.
One of the other elements that really help make the Metro videogames interesting is the limited use of a HUD. Key information that the player needs is presented to them in unique ways that would transition to VR fairly well. For example, any time limits such as oxygen remaining are displays on the players wrist which is also in view. Ammo in a magazine can be checked by actually looking at the weapon and magazine and health is shown through the colour of the screen. The audio plays an equally part with small sounds giving the player clues as to what is or is about to happen.
On top of all that, exploring a post-apocalyptic Moscow metro system while a war better the Communists and the Nazis raging on with mutated bears running around above ground just sounds amazing. The Metro series of videogames are unique in many ways and explore systems and ideas that other FPS titles don’t, allowing for a great opportunity for the series to bring those to VR. Metro Exodus, the latest entry in the series which is releasing next year, will see players leaving the etro behind following the events of the last title and exploring the world in search of a new life. Beyond all the shooting and monsters, Metro is a story about human lives trying to find peace in a worlds torn apart by nuclear war and experiencing that first hand in VR would be amazing regardless of the setting.
At the end of the day, Metro could come to VR in many ways. All of them would work so long as the core gameplay systems of the videogames remain the same if not similar. I want to wipe blood of my gas mask, manually reload my weapons and immerse myself in a world that is trying to kill me all while exploring the beautiful – if somewhat ruined – world. If this ever happens, VRFocus will be sure to bring you all the latest.
Metro Exodus review
Metro Exodus moves the action out of the Moscow subway system and across a devastated Russia, but 4A Games’ latest shooter didn’t forget what made the series so beloved in the first place.
The post Metro Exodus review appeared first on Digital Trends.
4A Games’ post-apocalyptic ‘Metro Exodus’ delayed to next year
Metro Exodus, the third entry in 4A Games' post-apocalyptic shooter series, was supposed to launch later this year, but it has now been delayed until early 2019. The game will be available on consoles and PC.
The post 4A Games’ post-apocalyptic ‘Metro Exodus’ delayed to next year appeared first on Digital Trends.