The Virtual Arena: From Silver Screen to Silicon Dreams! (Pt 2)

In the second part of his feature, (click here for part one) looking at the impact that the movie business and prominent Intellectual Properties (IP) have in steering new commercial entertainment VR business. Digital Out-of-Home entertainment (DOE) industry specialist Kevin Williams charts the major develops shaping this emerging new sector. One of the technologies gaining a strong interest from the deep pockets of this sector is the untethered backpack VR experience (Arena-Scale VR). The technology seen as the perfect medium to immersive the guest in the selected movie IP like-never-before, even some investors seeing this as a natural successor for the representation of the movie experience.

One of the most promoted developers of this approach has been The VOID, championing their ‘Hyper Reality’ concept. After many twists and turns the company opted to enter the race by presenting their technology within the Ghostbusters: Dimension attraction. Sony Pictures in partnership with operator Madame Tussauds investing in a walk-through waxwork attraction with a backpack virtual reality (VR) experience in support, commissioned from The VOID. The whole experience created as part of the marketing effort for the reboot of the famous Ghostbusters franchise, with the 2016 film.

The opening of the New York venue, though critically acclaimed and reported as seeing crowds, has yet to see the proposed roll-out at other Tussauds venues; but The VOID has opened a standalone Ghostbusters: Dimension attraction at JBR’s The Beach in Dubai. With a third installation charted for their new flagship entertainment facility in Utah, Nevada, scheduled to open to the public in July.

The growth in interest in movie properties having their own backpack VR experience was evident during CinemaCon 2017. New start-up Nomadic is an immersive entertainment company creating tactile VR adventures, and promoted at the conference their backpack VR experience (Arena-Scale), aiming to occupy a 20-foot-by-30-foot space. Not only seen as “Lobby Entertainment”, but targeting the existing screening rooms (auditorium), to be appropriated as standalone entertainment offerings with their own recurring revenue stream.

Major movie IP’s that have embraced Arena-Scale VR technology have started to reveal their plans thick-and-fast over the last few months – major movie studios such as 20th Century Fox, through their theme park arm (FoxNext Destinations) revealed that they are in the process of developing a 2,000 sq.,ft., multi-player VR experience based around the Alien movie franchise. FoxNext working to develop a ‘free-roaming’ VR experience undergoing secret testing. This new development building on the work creating a free cinema pop-up 360-degree VR journey called Alien: Covenant in Utero; the promotional lobby entertainment developed by FoxNext VR Studio in partnership with AMD Radeon and DELL.

Another major movie franchise receiving VR attraction investment was revealed to be in develop in partnership between Hasbro and DMG Entertainment, (through the recently established DMG VR division). The planned Transformers Experience Center is based on the popular Transformers IP that over the last 30-years has expanded to include comic books, animated series, films, video games and consumer products, the recent film properties generating $850 million internationally. The first interactive Transformers digital simulation experience center, scheduled to open in China this summer.

The application of arena-scale VR has been charted beyond the cinema landscape, with already Zero Latency establishing a growing number of locations for their multi-player backpack VR platform. The game system complimenting family entertainment centers and karting locations. A constant iterative process the operation launching their last multi-player backpack experience called Singularity with a play duration of 30-minutes in this space station exploration narrative. While at the same time announced that they were working on eight-player simultaneous experiences – while also planning to open the largest free-roaming virtual arena in America in the Boston-area later this year, and Philadelphia in 2018.

As previously reported the Asian amusement scene has jumped into out-of-home VR applications with both feet, in Japan investment in this approach has increased and Zero Latency, saw the first commercial installation of their system through a deal with SEGA at their JOYPOLIS site. Building on this, and a new location for Arena-Scale VR experiences opened within the brand new ‘SEGA VR Area’ location – taking over the top (6th) floor of the famous Club SEGA Akihabara amusement venue in Tokyo. The venerable Japanese amusement factory the latest to dip their toe into the waters of dedicated VR based out-of-home entertainment.

The first VR installation in this new space sees SEGA partner with Korean based Skonec Entertainment installing their new Mortal Blitz For Walking Attraction – a three player, backpack VR shooting experience, (using the Pimax 4K headset), opened to the public at the end of May. This destination facility approach following the work that the other amusement powerhouse BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment achieved with their first VR Zone: Project i Can temporary installation; BANDAI announcing that they will be opening a second version of their temporary VR Park in a matter of months in the Tokyo area. (Editor’s Note: For more about this check out two recent VRFocus stories about the experiences on offer including ones based on Mario Kart, Neon Genesis Evangelion, the Gundum franchise and Dragon Ball Z.)

Underlining the interest in using VR as an audience experience akin to a movie theatre or planetarium approach, and Japan has seen the launch of the VirtuaLink. A pop-up paid entertainment experience that has multiple guests sharing a virtual space, with a specially created 360-degree 3D video. Several locations around the Tokyo area will be turned into viewing theaters accommodating some 26 special seats (Wonder Pods) – the VR experience presented on Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) Playstation VR head-mounted displays (HMDs). The concept the closest seen to being a ‘virtual-planetarium’ experience, constructed by Konica Minolta Planetarium Corporation.

From those commentators entrenched outside of the out-of-home entertainment business, we have seen some wild and contradictory statements regarding the perceived impact of this business on the application of their hopes for VR – statements ranging from if VR is confined to public spaces there is a risk of stunting the growth of the medium, too comments that state to love to see these types of themed [VR] centers popping up around the world. A level of ignorance of the DOE market revealed in superficial research of the scene.

This confused speculation, illustrates the disquiet by some as their promised consumer sector slows, in the shadow of the growth (and revenue generating) out-of-home adoption; best illustrated by the growing numbers of consumer platforms pivoting to destination application. Along with HTC, we see OSVR (The VOID, Zero Latency) and StarVR (IMAX VR) deployment in VR arcade settings; it was recently announced in Japan of the new Virtual Gate platform developed by Techno Blood; allowing VR content to be enjoyed at the countries host of Internet Cafes, the platform partnered with the once consumer facing FOVE eye-tracked HMD – already operational at 33 net cafes in the country.

The commercial entertainment industry has proven an uncomfortable enigma to many that had previously invested in a promised consumer approach to VR. To educate and promote, the Digital Out-of-Home Entertainment (DOE) sector has invested in a unique conference in September, partly supported by my consultancy (KWP) and a major exhibition organizer. Based in Las Vegas, the Future of Immersive Leisure convention will bring together operators of the latest immersive entertainment technology, as well as developers of the hardware, and investors shaping the latest developers.

This new event will be the launch-pad where several new projects will reveal their thinking behind entering the commercial entertainment against previous interest in consumer investment. It is the ability to have direct access to the revenue stream, and a believable business model that has drawn both established operations and new start-ups to the DOE business for VR. Expect reports on the build-up to this event and industry developments in following columns.

CCP Games On Virtual Sport, Innovation & Learning VR’s Possibilities

Ryan Geddes, Senior Brand Manager for CCP tells VRFocus‘s Nina Salomons what they’re doing at EVE Fanfest 2017 in Iceland. EVE: Valkyrie‘s Groundrush update their upcoming VR Sport named Sparc. He explains that they’re showcasing their other games Gunjack as well as Gunjack 2: End of Shift at the festival for fans to see as well.

He explains how the CCP’s team developed Sparc and accidentally got themselves into V Sports. He explains that for CCP a lot of experimentation as well as research and development (RND) has taken place when it comes to virtual reality (VR). He gives great insight into how a large video game developer and publisher use their existing EVE fan base to learn about creating games for VR as well as how new players are coming from new platforms such as the PlayStation 4 VR. Find out more in the video below.

You can find more interviews on the VRFocus YouTube channel, as well as the latest edition of our weekly show VRTV.

The Best VR Games at E3 2017

As with every year, E3 2017 has brought with it a swathe of new titles for all modern platforms – and we can barely contain our excitement! But of course, we’re most excited about the latest virtual reality (VR) games coming to our head-mounted displays (HMDs).

At E3 2017 we’ve seen some familiar games, ones we’ve played and seen at GDC 2017 – but with those have some brand-new titles that are shaping up to be essential staples of anyone’s VR library.

Sony have come out with brand new titles for PlayStation VR, adding to library that’s already home to some great VR games and experiences.

Oculus are bolstering the Oculus Store with more titles than ever, for both the Oculus Rift and Gear VR. Oculus Store’s library is launching the AAA VR titles you expect from a premium HMD, while the Gear VR is providing both engaging games and more casual VR experience.

Steam’s library for the HTC Vive keeps getting better and there’s no shortage of titles for the HMD at E3 2017, with plenty of titles taking full advantage of the HTC Vive’s hardware.

Bethesda have already showed strong support for VR at E3 2017, with both Fallout 4 VR and DOOM VFR confirmed for release this year. We played Fallout 4 VR at last year’s show, and came away more concerned the impressed, saying; “Luckily this isn’t a finished product as if it was it’d be woeful, a tarnish on the Fallout series, and VR. Just taking a AAA IP and wedging it into VR doesn’t mean that it’ll work and for the most part it’s not the best VR experience.” We had similar concerns for the then-tentatively-titled DOOM VR.

We’ve also seen Lone Echo and Killing Floor: Incursion at this year’s show, but can these games stand up to the best of what seen at E3 2017?

See below for our lists of the very best games we saw at E3 2017 – these are the ones to watch if you’re looking for a new killer app for your HMD.

The Best PlayStation VR Games at E3 2017 The Best HTC Vive Games at E3 2017 The Best Oculus Rift Games at E3 2017

 

For everything VR from E3 2017, stay on VRFocus.

The Best HTC Vive Games at E3 2017

E3 is always an exciting season for new games and hardware, and 2017 is no exception. The show kicked off in Los Angeles and immediately we were seeing brand new titles that’ll keep us plugged into virtual reality (VR) for months.

We’re seeing brand new titles from a range of developers, including Bethesda, who finally confirmed the release of Fallout 4 VR and DOOM VFR for HTC Vive this year. AAA VR support coming from big publishers like Bethesda is certainly welcome, and ensures we have much more to look forward to with our VR head-mounted displays (HMDs).

Take a look at this list below for all of the very best games we saw for HTC Vive at E3 2017.

Blasters of the Universe

The Secret Location’s Blasters of the Universe is an initially simple VR shooter, which offers more depth as you personalise your weapon. Blasters of the Universe comes with a bonkers story too, involving an arcade nerd from the 80s who attempted to clone himself – weird.

We played the game, and said; “Blasters of the Universe not only goes beyond what has already been set as the benchmark for these types of shooters, but it also has an effortless air of personality that hasn’t been forced and isn’t found in many VR videogames.”

Blasters of the Universe screenshot 1

Circle of Saviors

Doing battle in a fantasy land is a perfect fit for VR, and that’s exactly what Circle of Saviors sets out to provide. Debuting outside of Japan for the first time at E3 2017, Circle of Saviors lets players take up arms against a variety of foes.

Players will be swinging swords, casting magic and shooting down monsters as they use the HTC Vive motion tracked controllers to do damage and slay their enemies. Giant boss monsters certainly look impressive, and dwarf the player in VR. Definitely one for fantasy fans.

DOOM VFR

DOOM VFR is a brand new game in the DOOM universe – not merely an adaptation of Bethesda’s successful reboot of the franchise.

Developed by id Software, the studio that created the DOOM franchise, DOOM VFR casts the player as the last known human survivor of the demonic invasion of the UAC’s Martian research facility. That is, until you yourself are torn from the mortal coil.

DOOM VFR screenshotFallout 4 VR

Fallout 4 VR just might be the best to experience Bethesda’s titanic RPG.

The game contains brand new mechanics adapted for the HTC Vive motion tracked controllers – though it still supports the Xbox One controller, if you prefer. The game is due to release later this year exclusively on the HTC Vive.

Seeking Dawn

Multiverse Entertainment’s new VR first-person shooter was demoed at E3 2017 this year, giving attendees their first taste of the new shooter.

With over 10 hours of gameplay and a massive storyline, Seeking Dawn immerses player in a deadly alien world. The videogame will feature multiplayer co-op, crafting, cooking and survival mechanics. The player will have stay aware of sickness, hunger, oxygen and more, truly immersing them in the experience.

Seeking Dawn header

Stay on VRFocus for all of the best VR games and experiences from E3 2017.

The Best Oculus Rift Games at E3 2017

E3 2017 is underway and as always the excitement never stops. Already we’ve had loads of announcements and game demos of fantastic virtual reality (VR) titles, and Oculus are keen to get as many titles onto the Oculus Store as possible.

Oculus may have lost a previously exclusive franchise this year, with Lucky’s Tale jumping to Xbox One X in the form of Super Lucky’s Tale, but that’s not the end of Oculus Rift videogames – this year’s show has revealed more titles that’ll make you want to stay in the virtual world for hours on end.

Take a look below for our list of the very best Oculus Rift titles at E3 2017.

 

Bloody Zombies

nDreams’ Bloody Zombies is a side-scrolling beat-’em-up with a lot to show for it. The unique visual style sees 2D cut-out characters wandering a 3D world.

VR support means you’ll be able to look around the world the world, seeing these cut-out characters from every angle, and making visible a wider portion of the landscape. These small changes may be minor, but it gives the VR version of Bloody Zombies and edge over its 2D rendition. Definitely one to watch.

Bloody Zombies gif

Echo Arena

Ready at Dawn’s new multiplayer shooter, Echo Arena, is tackling esports head-on. Intel’s VR Challenger League will champion Echo Arena as a legitimate staple of VR esports going forward.

Echo Arena sees 10 players battle in an anti-gravity setting as they fly around stages, avoiding bullets and strafing behind cover. The potential for esports is massive, and Ready at Dawn know this. To boost the player base, the videogame will be free at launch for a limited time.

Echo Arena

Petra: Vendetta Rising

Illion Games’ new action RPG, Petra: Vendetta Rising will have players saving a plague-ridden world as survivors must fight to continue living.

The game will allow 4 player multiplayer, and a campaign with more than 50 hours of gameplay. You’ll be able to get your hands on Petra: Vendetta Rising this Summer in Early Access, with the full game releasing in Fall 2017.

Space Junkies

Ubisoft are showing some love with this brand-new anti-gravity space shooter, Space Junkies. The multiplayer VR shooter will allow you to team up with friends and glide between obstacles – fully controlling your 360 degree movement in low-gravity space.

The game will take place in Orbital Arenas – Orenas – where players will do battle to come out on top. The “visceral, jetpack-fueled VR arcade shooter” is shaping up to be very enjoyable – an essential shooter for HTC Vive and Oculus Rift owners.

Transference

Transference might be one of the more mysterious titles we’ve seen at E3 2017, but possibly the most intriguing. Developed by Ubisoft in collaboration with SpectreVision, a studio with Elijah Woods as creative director, Transference looks like one of the most interesting VR experiences announced at E3 2017.

Ubisoft released a quick Q&A with the team. On the subject of gameplay mechanics they said: “The mechanics of Transference will feel approachable to those who love narrative based games with puzzles; you are free to explore, discover and interact with objects. At first glance, the interactivity may seem simple, but what makes it unique is the ability to change the perspective of the world and influence events through time and space.”

TRANSFERENCE

For everything on Oculus Rift and E3 2017, stay on VRFocus.

The Best Oculus Rift Games at E3 2017

E3 2017 is underway and as always the excitement never stops. Already we’ve had loads of announcements and game demos of fantastic virtual reality (VR) titles, and Oculus are keen to get as many titles onto the Oculus Store as possible.

Oculus may have lost a previously exclusive franchise this year, with Lucky’s Tale jumping to Xbox One X in the form of Super Lucky’s Tale, but that’s not the end of Oculus Rift videogames – this year’s show has revealed more titles that’ll make you want to stay in the virtual world for hours on end.

Take a look below for our list of the very best Oculus Rift titles at E3 2017.

 

Bloody Zombies

nDreams’ Bloody Zombies is a side-scrolling beat-’em-up with a lot to show for it. The unique visual style sees 2D cut-out characters wandering a 3D world.

VR support means you’ll be able to look around the world the world, seeing these cut-out characters from every angle, and making visible a wider portion of the landscape. These small changes may be minor, but it gives the VR version of Bloody Zombies and edge over its 2D rendition. Definitely one to watch.

Bloody Zombies gif

Echo Arena

Ready at Dawn’s new multiplayer shooter, Echo Arena, is tackling esports head-on. Intel’s VR Challenger League will champion Echo Arena as a legitimate staple of VR esports going forward.

Echo Arena sees 10 players battle in an anti-gravity setting as they fly around stages, avoiding bullets and strafing behind cover. The potential for esports is massive, and Ready at Dawn know this. To boost the player base, the videogame will be free at launch for a limited time.

Echo Arena

Petra: Vendetta Rising

Illion Games’ new action RPG, Petra: Vendetta Rising will have players saving a plague-ridden world as survivors must fight to continue living.

The game will allow 4 player multiplayer, and a campaign with more than 50 hours of gameplay. You’ll be able to get your hands on Petra: Vendetta Rising this Summer in Early Access, with the full game releasing in Fall 2017.

Space Junkies

Ubisoft are showing some love with this brand-new anti-gravity space shooter, Space Junkies. The multiplayer VR shooter will allow you to team up with friends and glide between obstacles – fully controlling your 360 degree movement in low-gravity space.

The game will take place in Orbital Arenas – Orenas – where players will do battle to come out on top. The “visceral, jetpack-fueled VR arcade shooter” is shaping up to be very enjoyable – an essential shooter for HTC Vive and Oculus Rift owners.

Transference

Transference might be one of the more mysterious titles we’ve seen at E3 2017, but possibly the most intriguing. Developed by Ubisoft in collaboration with SpectreVision, a studio with Elijah Woods as creative director, Transference looks like one of the most interesting VR experiences announced at E3 2017.

Ubisoft released a quick Q&A with the team. On the subject of gameplay mechanics they said: “The mechanics of Transference will feel approachable to those who love narrative based games with puzzles; you are free to explore, discover and interact with objects. At first glance, the interactivity may seem simple, but what makes it unique is the ability to change the perspective of the world and influence events through time and space.”

TRANSFERENCE

For everything on Oculus Rift and E3 2017, stay on VRFocus.

Preview: Kaidro: The Awakening – Explosive Mechanised Combat

Giant mechs tend to be a popular choice for cartoons and movies because of the visceral look of towering robots, bristling with weaponry, typifying a one-person army ready to take on whatever assailant comes their way. And it’s the same for videogames, but for virtual reality (VR) gamers there’s not a great deal of choice – unless you count 100ft Robot Golf. That’s going to improve however with Kaidro: The Awakening, a sci-fi role-playing game (RPG) in development by Gadget-Bot.

Showcasing an early preview at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2017, the studio had the title running on both the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive head-mounted displays (HMDs), with two modes available. The first was a story mode, essentially giving players a background on what’s going on this virtual world – you play as an orphaned girl called Ava, drafted into the military academy to learn to pilot mechs in a post apocalyptic world. This mode also showcased a set of customisation options so that you could personalise your mech with different colours and more.

Kaidro: The Awakening screenshot 6

The other ‘Arcade Mode’ was designed to take you straight into the action – for those that just wanted to see the gameplay. Offering a choice of two weapon loadouts, a two-handed heavy weapon or dual-wielding pistols, one acting as the main offensive gun while the other served as a magnetic gun, pulling objects towards you which could then be flung at enemies, the first area was just a target range to acclimatise players with the controls.

Gameplay at this stage was your normal mech affair. Slowly lumbering around shooting a mixture of robotic enemies, both aerial and ground-based. What’s instantly noticeable is how comfortable Kaidro: The Awakening is to play. Controls are first-person shooter (FPS) in nature, with standard forward, backward and strafing movements available. Gadget-Bot has ensured that a movement system prone to nauseating players in VR is fairly rock solid, with a slow lumbering walk which feels heavy and concise with every step.

The enemy AI was somewhat hit and miss, with the smaller aerial drones tending to dart about occasionally appearing to take cover. The other ground based robots were a lot more predicable, using their increased armour to soak up damage they tended to go for a straight out attack, not using any real tactics just brute force.

The area took around five to ten minutes to play through, offering more of a technical demonstration of Kaidro: The Awakening’s core movement and gunplay system, rather than an actual challenge.

While still in its early stages Kaidro: The Awakening does have its promising ideas, it looks good and handles well. Definitely looking like a title that’s geared towards action rather than a cerebral challenge – it is a mech videogame after all – hopefully Gadget-Bot can provide enough of a dynamic challenge and variety to make Kaidro: The Awakening an impressive title.

The Best PlayStation VR Games at E3 2017

This year’s E3 conference in Los Angeles has been just as exciting as ever – loads of brand new games constantly being announced your favourite virtual reality (VR) platforms – and PlayStation VR is no different. Sony’s console VR solution is showing no signs of stopping now.

We at VRFocus have seen some fantastic titles come to PlayStation VR in the last year, such as Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and the mesmerising Thumper, to name just two. Sony have shown they want to keep the VR momentum moving as they announced a swathe of new titles for your PlayStation VR head-mounted display (HMD).

Here are our choices for the best games on show for PlayStation VR at E3 2017.

 

DOOM VFR

DOOM VFR is a brand new game in the DOOM universe – not merely an adaptation of Bethesda’s successful reboot of the franchise.

Developed by id Software, the studio that created the DOOM franchise, DOOM VFR casts the player as the last known human survivor of the demonic invasion of the UAC’s Martian research facility. That is, until you yourself are (ripped and) torn from the mortal coil.

DOOM VFR screenshot

 

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR

Not the first of Bethesda’s VR announcements, but the only PlayStation VR exclusive, the titan RPG Skyrim is making its VR debut on the PlayStation 4.

We played The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR at E3 2017, praising its immersion and adaptation to the VR platform. The game is designed to be used with the PS Move controllers, which will change the way players interact with the world around them. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR is set for release in 2017.

 

Moss

Possibly the most charming game revealed at E3 – VR or no – Polyarc’s Moss is an adorable platformer where you play as Quill, a little hero exploring a big world.

Moss is a PlayStation VR exclusive. We played the game, and couldn’t admire its visuals enough, saying; “Moss features a staggering amount of detail in its densely populated areas; leaves that rustle under feet, particle and water effects that bring life to the forest Quill calls home, and Quill herself is one of the most elegantly animated character models not just in VR, but in videogames as a whole. Quite simply, Moss looks stunning.”

 

V! No Heroes Allowed R!

Is there a better game title than V! No Heroes Allowed R! (What Did I Do to Deserve This, My Lord?). Not that we’ve heard. The eccentric Japanese title was recently confirmed for Western release by Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) on PlayStation VR.

Being developed internally by SIE Japan Studio in collaboration with Acquire, it’s described as real-time startgy where player seek world domination as a God of Destruction.

 

Star Child

Lucky’s Tale developer Playful are back, and they’re bringing a brand new videogame to the PlayStation VR in the form of Star Child, a game taking place on an alien world with fantastical neon flourishes.

Like Lucky’s Tale, the game takes a third-person perspective as the player watches their avatar go through some serious ordeals and take in some awe-inspiring sights, including the machinations of a giant robot.

Which game listed above are you most looking forward to playing? Is there a videogame title that we’ve missed that you would have included? Let us know in the comments below.