Augmented & Virtual Reality Confabulation
What Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality developers are talking about
This year’s entry into the F1 franchise will continue one with its predecessor’s much-loved career mode, and spice it up with new event types – but can it hold of competition from Forza, Gran Turismo, and other upcoming racers.
The post ‘F1 2017’: Our First Take appeared first on Digital Trends.
Codemasters’ new entry into their long-running rally game series launches this week for Xbox One, PS4 and PC. Unlike its predecessor DiRT Rally, DiRT 4 currently features no VR support on PC or PSVR, but a future update is possible.
Today, retail copies of DiRT 4 are available for consoles in the US, while everyone else has to wait until June 9th. The title is the latest numbered entry in the series after 2011’s DiRT 3—a more accessible, ‘arcade’ offering compared to the more recent, simulation-style DiRT Rally. DiRT 4 aims to appeal to fans of both games, offering separate ‘gamer’ and ‘simulation’ handling modes, while adding some innovative features, most notably ‘Your Stage’, a procedural rally stage generator.
Unfortunately, DiRT 4 is missing the great VR support that eventually came to DiRT Rally on both PC and PSVR after the initial launch. Asked during a recent live stream from Codemasters HQ, Chief Game Designer Paul Coleman stated that “no decision has been made,” but didn’t rule out the possibility of a VR update arriving at a later date. At the game’s announcement in January, Codemasters responded to a Road to VR enquiry about VR support, saying “we will monitor how DiRT Rally performs on PSVR and then make decisions from there”.
Much like the missing Vive support on DiRT Rally, it is a matter of resources, as the development team is relatively small, while consistently delivering well-polished output; the management wouldn’t approve of throwing together a VR mode that didn’t live up to Codemasters’ high standards. We’re keeping our fingers crossed, as DiRT 4 appears to have dramatically improved the steering animation compared to DiRT Rally, which was one critique of its VR implementation for serious VR sim racers.
The post ‘DiRT 4’ Launch Lacks VR Support but Codemasters Hasn’t Ruled It Out Just Yet appeared first on Road to VR.
Codemasters has released the first in-game trailer of Micro Machines World Series, the first game of the franchise in more than a decade, and it comes complete with a brand new battle mode.
The post ‘Micro Machine World Series’ first gameplay footage shown in trailer appeared first on Digital Trends.
Last month UK developer Codemasters announced it would be implementing virtual reality (VR) support for its racing title DiRT Rally for PlayStation VR. At the time it didn’t give a specific date on when that would happen, today it’s now arrived.
The studio has ensured PlayStation VR owners get the same experience as the PlayStation 4 version, with every game mode available including rallycross and hill climb. As previously reported, a new Co-driver Mode as also been added so that rally stages can be played with a friend. Using the social screen option for PlayStation VR means the second player can use a DualShock 4 controller to give pace notes directions to the driver.
There are two different options for those that have either bought DiRT Rally or haven’t. A DLC upgrade is available for existing players at £9.99 GBP on the PlayStation Store or as a new ‘DiRT Rally PLUS VR Upgrade’ retail version through Argos or online.
Checkout the new trailer below and for any further updates on DiRT Rally VR, keep reading VRFocus.
Last year Codemasters, a British developer synonymous with racing franchises such as DiRT, Micro Machines, Grid and F1, launched its first foray into virtual reality (VR) with DiRT Rally for Oculus Rift. Then last month it confirmed support for Sony Interactive Entertainment’s (SIE) PlayStation VR. Even with this support during a recent interview it would seem as if the studio still has concerns about VR, and its future mainstream appeal.
Talking to GamesIndustry.biz, Codemasters chief game designer Paul Coleman said: “I don’t think suddenly everyone will be playing VR games in the next five years. Those that really love VR will really embrace it and those that struggle with it will never consider spending the amount of money that the hardware costs. It’s not a niche, but there’s definitely work that needs to be done with it as a platform. I think PlayStation VR does a good job of making it more affordable and achievable, but there are still things in the hardware that needs addressing.”
Codemasters most recent unveiling has been Dirt 4 but that’s not going to get the VR treatment judging by Coleman’s comments. Dirt Rally initially launched via Steam Early Access rather than going for a big marketing campaign, for the next release the studio wants much bigger returns: “I don’t want to be somebody that has a cult following but doesn’t sell any units. We have to push the big numbers and that is what this is all about, which is why we’re talking about the game with a more traditional campaign,” he said at the press launch.
The VR version of DiRT Rally showcased how well the franchise works on head-mounted displays (HMDs) with VRFocus giving it our highest 5 stars saying: “DiRT Rally VR is a sign of very good things still to come.”
If Codemasters do continue supporting VR, VRFocus will keep you updated with the latest announcements.
Codemasters has announced a new instalment of its DiRT series, detailing its unique Your Stage route creation system and dropping hints about classic gameplay modes that will return in the new game.
The post ‘DiRT 4’ is coming to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC in June 2017 appeared first on Digital Trends.