VR “Bullet Hell” FPS ‘Evasion’ Announced for Rift & Vive, Catch the Trailer Here

Sci-fi shooter Evasion from VR studio Archiact has been revealed, said to feature ‘next generation’ VR locomotion and ‘high intensity’ co-op multiplayer combat for up to 4 players. The game is due to launch for HTC Vive and Oculus Rift in early 2018.

Described on the official website as “an intense bullet hell spectacle”, Evasion has been designed from the ground up for VR, featuring co-op multiplayer combat for up to 4 players, with multiple hero classes to choose from to suit “all play styles” – two of which are already detailed on the site.

As shown in the announcement trailer, the game features ‘bullet hell’ action combined with destructible environments. According to the press release provided to Road to VR, a core development goal was to enable “incredible locomotion freedom.” Players will be able to choose from a few locomotion types, including ‘free move’, that can be customised for “play style and comfort level.”

Evasion aims to deliver several cutting-edge technologies, including ‘next gen’ full-body avatars powered by IKinema’s inverse kinematics animation system, “best in-class physics and destruction” enhanced for Intel Core i7 and i9 processors, and high-quality visuals and 3D spatial audio powered by Unreal Engine 4. The game’s ‘Swarm A.I’ enemy behaviour system claims to add “a new level of tension, making tactical movement and teamwork critical to your squad’s survival,” resulting in greater mission replayability with “randomized objectives and enemy encounters.”

Vancouver-based developer Archiact has been behind several virtual reality titles for mobile VR and location-based VR, but with the exception of penguin-puzzler Waddle Home (2016), available on SteamVR and PSVR (alongside a Gear VR version), the studio has yet to make a splash in the high-end consumer VR space. In a brief message posted on the official site yesterday, the team described Evasion as their “passion project”, having worked on the game for “over and year and a half.”

“Archiact has been crafting immersive VR entertainment since 2013,” said Kurt Busch, Studio Head at Archiact. “With Evasion, the team is using everything we’ve learned and weaving our experience into a truly genre-defining AAA title. With innovative locomotive movement and intense FPS gameplay, we’re convinced Evasion will prove a stand-out VR experience and we can’t wait for gamers to play it themselves.”

The post VR “Bullet Hell” FPS ‘Evasion’ Announced for Rift & Vive, Catch the Trailer Here appeared first on Road to VR.

Preview: Evasion – VR Can’t do FPS? Tell that to Archiact

Archiact’s Evasion is the kind of first-person shooter (FPS) videogame everybody expected virtual reality (VR) to quickly capitalise on, before it was established that fast-paced first-person experiences in the new medium were less than comfortable. Approaching two years after the consumer debut of VR, Archiact is confident the solution to this has finally been found.

Evasion screenshotThe core gameplay loop revolves around team-based co-operative action. Two classes were available to play in VRFocus’ hands-on time with the videogame, doubling to four for the final release version; fast-hitting Striker and the healing Surgeon, set to be accompanied by the Engineer and Warden classes. Each class has its own attributes, different weapons and shield abilities, so ensuring your team has a good mix of aggression and support is essential.

The gunplay in Evasion is key. Players are able to weaken foes as they await support from their teammates, and even use environmental objects – such as causing a rockslide – to cause damage. An interest aspect of this is the ‘ultimate abilities’ system. Upon felling enemies yellow capsules will be dropped at random, and collecting them will build a meter to unleash a devastating attack for a limited time. However, these capsules aren’t limited to only the player who killed the enemy, thus it’s possible for an entire team to build their meters and execute their ultimate abilities simultaneously.

Though not witnessed in the preview build VRFocus experiences, the class system won’t be the limit of the player’s character options. Archiact has teased that customisation options will be available and that a level system will be included in the final build. To exactly what extent this will stretch is not yet known, but given the emphasis on co-operative play and replayable missions with randomised objectives and enemy encounters, it’s wholly possible that Evasion could become the Borderlands of VR; a unique twist on the FPS genre that would most certainly be welcome.

Evasion screenshotOf course, as stated in the first paragraph of this article, FPS locomotion in VR has proven to be problematic. Archiact think they’ve found the solution; offering a hugely customisable array of systems to allow all players to feel comfortable. Played on both HTC Vive and Oculus Rift with Oculus Touch, standing and seated, VRFocus can confirm that nearly every avenue has been explored in order to make Evasion an approachable experience: smooth locomotion, teleportation, snap rotation, blinkers and more are all options for the player to toy with until they find their sweetspot. However, after around 40 minutes play in four-player matches, VRFocus did find some of the minor simulation sickness issues occurring. Hopefully, this will be rectified with more opportunity to explore the variety of options available.

The tech underneath the hood of Evasion appears sound. While played in a controlled environment, VRFocus didn’t experience any network lag or framerate issues – two killers of VR experiences – and the smooth animation on other player character models (thanks to the use of Ikinema) and accurate positioning of allies significantly helps build the level of immersion. The destructible environments are a understated touch; though seemingly limited in placement, rendering such chaos without impacting framerate is impressive.

Evasion screenshotWhile all of this sounds convincing, Evasion will face a lot of competition upon its release. Epic Games’ Robo Recall still stands as a testament of how to do FPS VR right, and with DOOM VFR looming alongside other AAA first-person experiences such as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR and Fallout 4 VR, Archiact are seemingly betting on the co-operative element of Evasion to help it stand out from the bigger budget crowd. If the development team can come good on the promise of a deep character evolution system and the promise of varied locomotion alternatives is realised, Evasion could well achieve its goal of becoming a landmark VR FPS title.

Co-Op Multiplayer Game Evasion Aims to Redefine VR FPS

Archiact has today announced Evasion, a virtual reality (VR) first-person shooter (FPS) designed specifically for high intensity co­operative multiplayer combat. In Evasion, players will be invited to experience Archiact’s designs for the next generation in VR locomotion in a fast-paced FPS videogame.

Evasion screenshotFeaturing multiple hero classes suitable for all play styles, gamers can join up to three friends or go it alone in a battle for survival. Evasion promises to deliver destructible environments and intense battles as players maneuver through levels, completing objectives and facing off against giant bosses as they come up against a barrage of bullets.

Archiact has incorporated a ‘Swarm A.I’ enemy behaviour system with the intent of adding a new level of tension, making tactical movement and teamwork critical to your squad’s survival. Each of the four classes has different abilities, including the option to heal other players: the Striker, Surgeon, Engineer and Warden. All four classes have their own unique strengths, weapons and ultimate abilities. Evasion will also allow players to customise their class as they level-up through a system of upgrading abilities .

One of the key elements of Evasion for Archiact has been the development of new locomotion systems in VR. Players can choose from several locomotion modes designed for Evasion’s FPS gameplay, each of which can be customised for their own play style and comfort level.

“Archiact has been crafting immersive VR entertainment since 2013,” said Kurt Busch, Studio Head at Archiact. “With Evasion, the team is using everything we’ve learned and weaving our experience into a truly genre­-defining AAA title. With innovative locomotive movement and intense bullet hell gameplay, we’re convinced Evasion will prove a stand­out VR experience and we can’t wait gamers to play for themselves.”

Evasion screenshotEvasion utilises IKinema’s state-­of-­the-­art player avatars and the latest Unreal Engine 4 technology to allow for realistic physics and destruction, as well as 3D Spatial Audio, enhanced for the Intel Core i7 and i9 processors.

Set to launch in early 2018, Evasion is currently in development for HTC Vive and Oculus Rift and VRFocus will have more very soon, but in the meantime we have already been hands-on with Evasion, and you can find out our thoughts about it in our preview.

Hands-On: Evasion Wants To Be Your Go-To Co-Op Bullet Hell VR Shooter

Hands-On: Evasion Wants To Be Your Go-To Co-Op Bullet Hell VR Shooter

I’ve started to notice a bit of a trend within the VR gaming industry. At first there was an obsession with wave shooters, mostly of the single player variety. And now we’re starting to see cooperative arcade-style shooters becoming more and more popular. Evasion, from Archiact, is an upcoming cooperative shooter in that same vein that wants to draw you in and grab you by the neck for intense action.

The team is billing it as a hybrid of a cooperative shooter and a “bullet hell” shooter, which is a term typically reserved for top-down 2D shooters. But in the case of Evasion, much like Blasters of the Universe, players will have to stay mobile as they dodge bullets and fight off enemies from all sides.

Gunheart, which released into Early Access earlier this year, is very similar to Evasion. Both games have you taking on the role of a mercenary-esque character charged with plowing through dozens of enemies across relatively linear levels. The big difference between the two is that in Evasion you’ll spend just as much time dodging bullets as you will shooting them.

Archiact and E McNeill Roll Out “VR Optional” Update for Darknet on PlayStation 4

In March publisher Archiact and developer E McNeill released strategy/puzzle title Darknet for PlayStation VR. Now they’ve expanded support so the PlayStation 4 owners who don’t have the headset can still play the award-winning videogame.

The “VR Optional” update not only means regular PlayStation 4 players get to play as an elite hacker, those with PlayStation VR can now switch instantly between virtual reality (VR) and non-VR gaming. DualShock 4 controller support remains consistent throughout.

Darknet - PSVR_1

“This is one of those opportunities that just made too much sense to pass on,” said Kevin Chorney, Senior Producer at Archiact. “We’ve brought the iconic visuals and mechanics of Darknet’s VR experience to traditional platforms, while retaining the depth and challenge of gameplay that has made the game such a definitive VR title.”

Originally released for Samsung Gear VR in 2015 before coming to HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR and Google Daydream this year, Darknet’s puzzles revolve around you contracting out your hacking skills to retrieve data from the world’s most secure networks. Diving into the Net, you must install viruses, inject code, and hack your way through cybersecurity in an experience inspired by a classic cyberpunk vision of the future.

E McNeill hasn’t just been busy expanding support for Darknet, he’s also created two other strategy titles, Tactera and most recently Skylight

Darknet is available through the PlayStation.Store for £8.99 GBP/$14.99 USD. For any further updates, keep reading VRFocus.

Hidden Fortune Gets New Expansion and Price Drop

Hidden object puzzle title Hidden Fortune was released on to Samsung Gear VR back in March 2017. Now developers Archiact are releasing a new content expansion along with dropping the price.

The new chapter is titled Shanty Seas, and continues the story of the young sorcerer who is trying to rescue their family. New content includes a mysterious desert island that promises buried pirate treasure, eight puzzle-based quests, six new Wand and Orb skins, two new levels and some upgrades and general improvements to both the art and the user interface.

Users who previously purchased Hidden Fortune will be able to download Episode Two: Shanty Seas for free, while new players will be able to get hold Chapter One for free and purchase Episode Two for $5.99 (USD).

“With Shanty Seas, we’ve made some fantastic improvements across the board,” said Ed Lago, producer at Archiact. “From the gorgeous new levels and art, to the added gameplay and Wands, we bet players will never want to leave!”

Players can use the touchpad or the Gear VR controller to cast magic spells and explore the world around them to collect objects used to progress further. As in Episode One, exploration is key, as many useful trinkets are scattered around. Episode Two also adds Wands, collectable magic devices that each boast their own visual effects and art.

A trailer for Hidden Fortune: Shanty Seas is available to view below. Further information can be found on the Official website.

VRFocus will bring you further information on Hidden Fortune and other Samsung Gear VR titles as it becomes available.

‘Smashbox Arena’ Now Available on PSVR – Launch Trailer

Smashbox Arena, one of SteamVR’s best rated titles, today launches on Playstation VR. The game plays like a mashup of a first person shooter and a game of dodgeball.

Smashbox Arena originally launched for the HTC Vive in late 2016. On SteamVR the game has been well received, holding an impressive 97% positive rating among user reviews and has seen regular updates since launch (including official Rift & Touch support on SteamVR). The game has since found its way onto the Oculus store as well, and today a version comes specially made to PSVR priced at $30 ($10 more than the PC version; we’ve reached out to the developers to understand why).

With singleplayer and multiplayer modes, Smashbox Arena is a knockout style shooter where teams of 3 vs. 3 aim to eliminate each other by firing dodgeball-like projectiles. With just one life per round, the tension amps up as the match winds down to the final combatants. Powerups like shields, exploding balls, sniper balls, homing balls, and more, add strategy and diversity to the gameplay. Players get around the maps with teleportation, but there’s also an emphasis on physical movement to dodge incoming fire and to hide and & shoot behind cover.

Though the game is available on all three major VR platforms, unfortunately there’s no cross-play between headsets supported at this time. If you’re looking for great games to play across headsets, check out our list of the best cross-play multiplayer VR games.

The post ‘Smashbox Arena’ Now Available on PSVR – Launch Trailer appeared first on Road to VR.

The VR Job Hub: Climax Studios, CSIRO, Archiact

Whether you’re an experienced designer, programmer, engineer, or your’re looking for a move into the exciting worlds of virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) – whatever the case, welcome once more to the VRFocus’ Job Hub. The jobs listed here are located worldwide, from major game players to humble indie developers – the one thing they all have in common is that they are all jobs in VR.

Featured on this week’s list are: Google is looking for an Interaction Designer for their top VR product on the market so far; Hasbro interestingly are looking for designers for AR development; PlayStation continue to shake up and look for new people to join their team in London with an opening for Graphics Programmer; CognitiveVR is looking for a Software Engineer; and Climax Studios, based in the South of the UK, is looking for a long list of desirable programmers, designers, artists, and producers.

View the new listings below for more information:

LOCATION

COMPANY

JOB

LINK

CSIRO

Click here to apply

London, UK & Remote

Curve Digital Entertainment

Junior – Standard Level Programmers (5 Months)

Contact: vrjobs@kuju.com

Portsmouth, UK

Climax Studios

Senior Producer

Contact: stu@climaxstudios.com

Vancouver, CAN Archiact Software Engineer, Unreal VR

Click here to apply

 Vancouver, CAN  Archiact  Senior Engineer, Unreal VR

Click here to apply

 Vancouver, CAN  Archiact  Core Tech Engineer

Click here to apply

 

You can always look back at last week’s post as well for additional listings. Check back with VRFocus at the usual time next Sunday for the latest positions in one of the world’s most progressive industries.

Hidden Fortune Review: Searching for a Reason to Play

Hidden Fortune Review: Searching for a Reason to Play

Various video game genres benefit from the degree of movement allowed within VR and, arguably, none benefit more directly than puzzle games. Classic hidden object games, a small branch off from puzzles, were typically static and asked players to dissect scenes as they gather different items.

Hidden object games are much more involved when coupled with VR headsets, unlocking those static experiences. Hidden Fortune by Archiact is one such experience that takes a couple steps forward and then leaps backward.

In Hidden Fortune, you play the role of a wizard as he assists a few characters with gathering their lost items. The opening tutorial that takes place in a hub/airship has you figure out the game’s main mechanic by shooting your magic orbs at gems that are scattered around the room. To shoot the orb, you tap the touchpad of the Gear VR — the vast majority of the game’s functionality is handled this way. You’ll use this not only just to collect items, but to teleport around different areas and initiate conversation with non-playable characters as you encounter them.

The teleport mechanic could have benefited by just having you select it with your gaze and hitting the touchpad, but you move by shooting the orb into a movable space instead. It’s a curious design choice and only a minor grievance.

Thankfully, you’ll be moving around a pretty spiffy looking cave. The graphics for the game are sharp and, despite the scarce sunlight, the cave you explore is pretty vibrant. The different sections of the cave are lovely and they have a peaceful ambiance to them accented by the small stream running throughout. All of the objects are well modeled as well, but not so distinctly designed that they seem out of place as you search for them. The game has a high degree of comfort with no high-speed movements to speak of and a consistent framerate.

There are object hunts and music puzzles but the foundation of the game is in the hidden object style of gameplay. An early example includes a task where you look for items to include in a recipe. Once you complete it you’re given a chest filled with gold, which is how you level up, and sometimes a diary entry. As you teleport around, you’ll note that there are some spots that are limited to a certain minimum level. To traverse the cavern, you’ll have to replay the same encounters to gain enough gold and level up.

This cheapens each encounter and extends the playtime of the game in an artificial way. It also doesn’t help that the interactions that lead to the actual task take what feels like a few too many pages of dialogue and this is made more glaringly apparent when you have to redo them with no way to skip the conversation and start.

Immediately the voice acting for this game is absolutely grating on the ears. The characters you encounter have personalities that run from overly eccentric to comically dull, but the diary entries you find in treasure chests are also fully voiced. For some reason, those reading the entries seem to have been given instruction to act out in the most ridiculous voices they can muster but you’ll be glad to know you can skip over them at the cost of missing story elements. The characters you encounter will ramble on as you work thru menus, though, so there’s no avoiding them. Worse yet, the NPCs will repeat the same victory dialogue each time you complete the tasks that you’ll have to repeat in order to progress.

Final Score: 4/10 – Disappointing

With Hidden Fortune, the hidden object tasks are the expected casual fare without a lot of variety to them. Unfortunately, the puzzles are also held captive behind uninteresting characters, nail-on-chalkboard voice acting, and unnecessary design choices that pad the playtime. If you decide to give it a go, playing with the volume down could enhance your experience ten-fold.

You can purchase Hidden Fortune on the Oculus store for Gear VR at the price of $3.99. Read our Game Review Guidelines for more information on how we arrived at this score. 


Charles Singletary is a Contributing Writer at UploadVR. He likes to spend his time searching for the diamonds in the rough for various VR platforms. Follow him on Twitter for more.

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PlayStation VR Release Date for Darknet Confirmed

Last month Archiact Interactive announced a partnership with indie developer E McNeill to bring the award-winning Darknet to Sony Interactive Entertainment’s (SIE) PlayStation VR. A release date for the title has now been confirmed, arriving on 7th March.

Origianlly launched for Samsung Gear VR, Darknet is an deep strategy/puzzle game that lets gamers play as an elite hacker contracted to retrieve data from the world’s most secure networks. Players dive into the Net, install viruses, inject code, and hack their way through cybersecurity in an experience inspired by a classic cyberpunk vision of the future.

Darknet - PSVR_1

Darknet has been refined and tailored for PlayStation VR boasting several new improvements. This includes full audio integration added to the PlayStation 4 Dualshock controller, art enhancements to the UI and main menu, as well as all-new PlayStation trophies for players to earn.

Since releasing Darknet E McNeill has gone on to create Tactera and most recently Skylight. VRFocus gave the former a 4-star rating saying: “Tactera is a great example of high production values on the Samsung Gear VR’s limited hardware and is a showcase piece for the strategy genre in VR.” While Skylight got a 5-star review: “Skylight has been perfectly formulated with engaging gameplay, quirky visuals and hours of entertainment.”

When Darknet launches on Tuesday, 7th March, PlayStation VR owners will be able to pick it up for $14.99 USD. For the latest updates from E McNeill, keep reading VRFocus.