‘Doom VFR’ Pre-order Available for $30, a Separate “standalone VR game” from ‘Doom’

Doom VFR, the VR-compatible game following Id Software’s recent Doom (2016), is now available for pre-order for $29.99 on PSVR and HTC Vive, a far cry from the non-VR game’s original launch price of $59.99 just last year. You might be wondering why.

While the non-VR Doom has since gone down in price (now $29.99), it comes to us from the same parent studio, Bethesda, that just priced the upcoming Fallout 4 VR at a full price tag of $59.99. Bethesda confidently writes this in the first line of the Fallout 4 VR description:

“Fallout 4 […] finally comes in its entirety to VR. Fallout 4 VR includes the complete core game with all-new combat, crafting, and building systems fully reimagined for virtual reality. The freedom of exploring the wasteland comes alive like never before.”

Unlike Fallout 4 VR, what we’ve read in the product descriptions across the various digital marketplaces about Doom VFR’s doesn’t make it clear whether the VR game is going to be the full base game or another entirely separate experience all together. Only in a recent blog post does Bethesda call Doom VFR a “standalone VR game.”

Doom VFR Product Description

  • Experience DOOM combat and its iconic weapons and demons from an entirely new perspective
  • Physically interact with the DOOM universe as you seamlessly traverse across the UAC facility and Hell using tele-portation and jet-strafe movement
  • Explore all-new UAC Martian research facility areas and discover the unique abilities of a cybernetic UAC security operative
  • Set shortly after the demonic invasion on the UAC’s Martian research facility, you are the last known human survivor – until your death. Under a top-secret UAC operational contingency protocol, your consciousness is transferred to an artificial brain matrix. Your designated purpose: restore operational stability and use any means necessary to stop the on-slaught of demons.

Id Software CTO Robert Duffy says its “a DOOM game specifically for virtual reality [which] has provided an exciting opportunity to not only surround players with the world of DOOM like never before, but also let them experience and explore the UAC and Hell in new ways, playing as new characters with totally unique tools and abilities.”

The game is currently available for pre-order now through the PlayStation Store, Steam and Amazon. Published release dates appear to be placeholders, as Bethesda’s only mentioned a Q4 2017 launch window.


We’re currently reporting from E3 in Los Angeles, so check back for more news surrounding new VR games and experiences.

The post ‘Doom VFR’ Pre-order Available for $30, a Separate “standalone VR game” from ‘Doom’ appeared first on Road to VR.

Watch Bethesda’s E3 Livestream Here @9PM PST, Expecting ‘Fallout 4’ VR and ‘Doom VR’

E3 is here, and Bethesda, the makers of the Fallout and Elder Scrolls series, may be announcing updates to their first ever public VR offerings at tonight’s E3 keynote. Watch the livestream right here.

Since VR versions of both Fallout 4 (2015) and Doom (2016) were revealed at last year’s E3, we haven’t seen or heard much about specifics surrounding the ‘Bethesda VR’ initiatives. Bethesda has however said that Fallout 4 VR for the HTC Vive will be the entire game and not just a demo or vertical slice, and put the speculative release date “within 12 months” from last year’s E3. That mean’s this month, folks.

No such info was given for Doom VR, although the developers have been collaborating to make the games possible in VR.

I had my hands on both Fallout 4 and Doom VR adaptations at last year’s E3, and while a little rough around the edges at the time (Doom was little more than a tech demo with no actual gameplay), the ability to see the familiar worlds in VR seemed to breathe life into the games not only by making a Wasteland Raider or a Cacodemon that much more intimidating, but by showing you the true scale of the worlds set before you.

The livestream starts at 9PM PST (click here for local time). What do you think Bethesda will show at this year’s E3? Comment below!

The post Watch Bethesda’s E3 Livestream Here @9PM PST, Expecting ‘Fallout 4’ VR and ‘Doom VR’ appeared first on Road to VR.

Zenimax Media Acquires Escalation Studios for VR Projects

ZeniMax Media, Inc. has today announced the acquisition of Escalation Studios, the stuio behind, Please, Don’t Touch Anything, NCAA March Madness Live VR and Herobound Gladiators. Founded in 2007 by industry veterans Tom Mustaine and Marc Tardif, Escalation Studios were also involved in the development of last year’s DOOM reboot, which has also showcased a virtual reality (VR) experience.

New DOOM

“We have continually been impressed with the team at Escalation [Studios] that Tom and Marc have assembled,” said Todd Vaughn, Vice President of Development at Bethesda. “Their commitment to quality and innovation has made significant contributions to the projects we’ve worked on together, and we’re excited to have them join ZeniMax.”

According to Zenimax Media, Escalation Studios is currently working on a number of projects with studios and will continue to contribute its talents across PC, console, mobile, and VR titles going forward.

“ZeniMax’s studios are responsible for some of the most iconic games in our industry,” said Marc Tardif, Co-Managing Director of Escalation Studios. “Becoming a part of this amazing family of developers is an honour for everyone at our studio.”

“We are proud of the incredible team that has helped make Escalation [Studios] such a success,” added Tom Mustaine Co-Managing Director of Escalation Studios. “We can’t wait to see what the studio is capable of with the support of such a great company as ZeniMax.”

No details of which projects Escalation Studios will be leading have yet been revealed, though it’s likely that the developer will be involved in the forthcoming VR adaptations of DOOM and possibly also Fallout 4. VRFocus will of course keep you updated with all the latest from Escalation Studios and Zenimax Media.