‘AirMech’ Studio Teases New Multiplayer VR Strategy Game Code-named ‘Cake’

Carbon Games, the studio behind real-time strategy game AirMech Command (2016), is currently developing a new VR project that they say will be a lighthearted, team-based game.

Carbon announced the game in an Oculus Developer video which highlights some of the talent behind the company’s growing library of games, and their recent move into a larger office with dedicated spaces for VR testing.

There’s only a few details for now, but the studio maintains the game will be another strategy-based game, and will be both lighthearted and focus on team-based action.

Studio co-founder James Green says the code name ‘Cake’ is in direct reference to Fat Princess (2009)a third-person RTS that gives each team a princess that they must protect by feeding so she’s too large to be carried away.

 

Looking at the short clip in the video, it’s clear ‘Cake’ is borrowing a lot from Fat Princess, including the visual style, various combat classes, and the game’s focus on large player numbers

“It’s a class-based, team-based game that’s kind of lighthearted but has real depth. Strategy is involved. It’s just something we’ve always wanted to do after AirMech,” Green explained.

Healthy dose of speculation here: like AirMech Command, Project ‘Cake’ looks very much like a gamepad-style affair. According to the video, it appears to feature high player numbers, so Carbon may be looking to extend their reach by offering the game as a cross-platform title supporting a wide class of devices such as Oculus Rift, Go, and even the upcoming Oculus Quest.

The post ‘AirMech’ Studio Teases New Multiplayer VR Strategy Game Code-named ‘Cake’ appeared first on Road to VR.

The VR Job Hub: Carbon Games, Firesprite & BBC

Whether you’re an experienced designer, programmer, engineer, or maybe you’ve just been inspired after reading VRFocus articles, 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.

View the new listings below for more information:

Location Company Role Link
London, UK BBC Senior Distribution & Business Development Manager Click Here to Apply
Bellevue, WA Carbon Games 3D Artist Click Here to Apply
Bellevue, WA Carbon Games Technical Artist Click Here to Apply
Bellevue, WA Carbon Games Technical Designer for VR Click Here to Apply
Liverpool, UK Firesprite Graphic Designer Email jobs@firesprite.com
Liverpool, UK Firesprite Technical Artist Email jobs@firesprite.com
Liverpool, UK Firesprite 3D Modeller Email jobs@firesprite.com
Liverpool, UK Firesprite Senior Programmer Email jobs@firesprite.com

Look back at last week’s post for ongoing listings. If you’re an employer and are looking for someone to fill a VR or AR related gap on your workforce and would like your role to feature on next week’s VR Job Hub please send details of the role to either pgraham@vrfocus.com or keva@vrfocus.com

Check back with VRFocus at the new time of 3pm GMT every Sunday for the latest positions in this ever growing industry.

‘AirMech: Command’ Gets Major Oculus Touch Update, Launches on Steam VR

VR motion control comes to AirMech: Command, and the game has been released on Steam with support for multiple VR headsets and controllers through OpenVR. The game originally appeared as a launch title for the Oculus Rift in March 2016.

Drawing direct inspiration from pioneering real-time strategy title Herzog Zwei, AirMech started life as a free-to-play game on PC in 2012, where it has remained an open beta. Optimised for gamepad control like the Mega Drive/Genesis game, AirMech naturally found its way to Xbox and PlayStation consoles in the form of AirMech Arena in 2015. As Oculus launched the Rift with a seated, gamepad-controlled focus, the game was again in an ideal position to transition to a new platform, and AirMech: Command became an exclusive launch title for the headset on March 28th 2016. The game was largely well-received, showcasing VR’s suitability for the RTS and MOBA genres.

Today, Carbon Games released a major update, adding support for Oculus Touch controllers (existing owners of the Rift version receive a free update). And with the timed exclusivity complete, the product has also launched on Steam with full OpenVR support. As shown in the teaser trailer, the motion controls allow for brand new ways of interacting with units and navigating around the battlefield, described by the creators as ‘a huge game changer for RTS games in VR’.

By using two virtual cursors, Carbon have devised a way of amplifying hand movements for faster control, and the zoom and rotate functions mean that you can play in a single spot like a board game (seated VR is still supported) or walk around a massive world in room-scale VR.

The post ‘AirMech: Command’ Gets Major Oculus Touch Update, Launches on Steam VR appeared first on Road to VR.

Carbon Games Adding Oculus Touch and HTC Vive Support to AirMech: Command

An original launch title for Oculus Rift, Carbon Games’ AirMech: Command enabled early adopters to engage in real-time strategy (RTS) multiplayer, and has now confirmed that expanded support will becoming to Oculus Touch and HTC Vive.

Releasing a teaser trailer this week, the studio has kept details to a minimum, merely stating: “Available on Vive the same time as the Touch release, coming very soon!” So while its not clear when AirMech: Command will get motion controller support you can at least see what that involves.

AirMech Command - Touch & Vive_1

While most teaser trailers tend to reveal very little gameplay footage, generally going for cinematic cuts, Carbon Games went for pure gameplay footage showcasing what the added controller functionality will bring to the title. Units can be quickly selected, either individually or in groups, the entire game board can be spun around for the optimal viewpoint or zoomed in or out with a simple hand gesture. While these mechanics aren’t new for virtual reality (VR) it should certainly bring a new dynamic to the title.

AirMech: Command is a single-player, multiplayer and co-op experience with 13 maps to complete. There are nine AirMechs to unlock with over 60 cosmetic enhancements with which to personalise it with.

Carbon Games doesn’t state if the footage is from the HTC Vive or from the Oculus Touch build but as VRFocus continues its coverage of AirMech: Command, we’ll report back with any further updates.