Category: Gamescom 2019

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Gamescom 2019 Interview: Working up a Sweat With Viro Move

When it comes to staying fit and healthy whilst combining that with a passion for videogames, virtual reality (VR) technology has got you covered, offering a wealth of options to rid a few calories. Polish fitness company Fit Reality wants to help in that endeavour and is currently in the process of making Viro Move, a rhythm action title. During Gamescom 2019 last month VRFocus caught up with the team whilst they were demoing the latest version. 

Viro Move

As the name implies Viro Move is all about movement, as much as possible, whilst considering home roomscale environments. The gameplay has three main styles for players to master, Boxing, Sword Fighting and Shooting, all of which have their own unique systems.

They all utilise movement most VR players should have come across in other titles by now, from punching orbs to shooting targets. To make sure players aren’t simply stood in one spot trying to get a high score there are plenty of obstacles to dodge, whether that’s by squatting or shifting from side to side.

What makes Viro Move a little different from other fitness experiences is its Mixed Weapons mode where all three are thrown in for an intense medley. Here players have to learn the tricks of each style and then learn how to switch up between each one to keep combo scores going, no easy task. There is an automatic mode for those wanting an easier challenge but that means less calories will be burnt.

Recently previewing the videogame, VRFocus said: “Fit Reality certainly wants to enter the VR market with a bang and Viro Move is definitely going to do that.”

Viro Move

Viro Move isn’t available just yet, with Fit Reality yet to confirm a launch date. When that does happen Viro Move will support HTC Vive, HTC Vive Pro, Oculus Rift and Vive Cosmos headsets. In the meantime take a look at VRFocus’ interview with Fit Reality’s Paul Lynch to find out a little bit more about the fitness experience and the current #movemore challenge being run.

VRFocus will continue its coverage of Viro Move, reporting back with the latest updates.

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Gamescom 2019 Interview: Lifting the lid on Kamile VR

There was myriad of virtual reality (VR) developers from across the globe at Gamescom 2019 last month, covering a whole swath of gaming genres. While some were well versed in dealing with the crowds for others it was their debut event. The latter was the case for Lithuanian developer Gluk Media and its sci-fi title Kamile VR. Currently awaiting a release on Steam,  creator Bartosh Polonski was on hand to detail what to expect from the videogame.

Kamile VR

Only revealed a couple of weeks prior to Gamescom 2019, Kamile VR is an episodic title in a similar vein to experiences like Vader Immortal: A Star Wars Story, where there are interactive elements but the overall design is centred around a strong narrative the studio wishes to tell.

Kamile VR takes place in a futuristic 2084, a dystopian world where the job market is dominated by AI. Because of this, to make a living most people lend their brainpower for Neural Mining processes which helps further empower the AI capabilities. You play as Kamile, wife of a genius scientist looking to develop a new generation of AI. When a work-related incident turns to tragedy you’re forced to fight and flight in order to protect both son and your husband’s secrets.

In the first episode, you’re able to perform basic actions to uncover the story and explore the area with the experience taking anywhere from 15 – 30 minutes depending on how thorough you are. The gameplay is kept comfortable by employing a fixed point-to-point teleportation system – similar to ARKTIKA.1 or Wilson’s Heart – although that does limit exploration.

Kamile VR

Currently, the first episode of Kamile VR is scheduled for a Steam Early Access launch in October, supporting headsets including Oculus Rift/Rift S, HTC Vive and PlayStation VR.

To learn more about Kamile VR take a look at Polonski’s interview or take a look at VRFocus’ other Gamescom interviews including Vertigo Games, Somnium Space, Pixel Reef, Dark Curry, Carbon Studio, Cortopia Studios, Fast Travel Games and Mammossix. As further details on Kamile VR are released, VRFocus will let you know.

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Gamescom 2019 Interview: Unraveling Corsair’s Curse With Vertigo Games

When was the last time you went to a virtual reality (VR) arcade? Or have you ever been to one? If the answers are a long time ago or never then now’s the time, as location-based entertainment (LBE) has rapidly improved alongside its home consumer cousin. Vertigo Games is one VR developer keenly focused on both markets, and recently demoed Innerspace VR’s Corsair’s Curse at Gamescom 2019. As VRFocus likes to do, we grabbed (nicely of course) a Vertigo Games employee to learn more.

Corsairs Curse

On hand to talk about the LBE VR experience was Vertigo Games’ Business Development Director John Coleman, going into detail about this multiplayer title from the team who created A Fisherman’s Tale.

Corsair’s Curse is in fact loosely based on that puzzle title for home VR headsets, both featuring a nautical theme as well as intricate challenges to solve. But as this videogame is purely made for arcades one of the core aspects Innerspace VR wanted to introduce is co-operative gameplay.

A minimum of two players is required with Corsair’s Curse supporting up to four. You all play as pirates after the legendary Corsair’s treasure. As with any good pirate tale, this treasure is cursed and everyone finds themselves trapped in the form of wooden dolls, with the only way out being the completion of all the puzzles. You’re all on the same boat but it’s split in two, with one team larger than the other.

However, Corsair’s Curse isn’t pitting the two sides against one another, you all have to work together, as the puzzles interlink between the two areas; each one must be completed in sequence.

Corsairs Curse

To get a better idea why not read VRFocus’ review of Corsair’s Curse which noted: “Corsair’s Curse is ideal for those stepping into a VR arcade for the first time, rather than some intense first-person shooter (FPS). There’s time to learn the basics and the joy of VR gaming, picking stuff up, the visual impact of scale and much more.”

Corsair’s Curse is already available at select locations. Take a look at VRFocus’ other Gamescom interviews including Somnium Space, Pixel Reef, Dark Curry, Carbon Studio, Cortopia Studios, Fast Travel Games and Mammossix. And don’t forget to come back for more VR updates.

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Gamescom 2019 Interview: Neat Corp Isn’t Cutting Budgets for its VR Sequel

There are some exciting stealth-style videogames currently in development for virtual reality (VR) headsets including  Espire 1: VR Operative, Phantom: Covert Ops and Budget Cuts 2: Mission Insolvency. The latter of the three is certainly the least serious offering a comical take on running around being some elite operative. Continuing the story from the 2018 original, VRFocus caught up with the Neat Corp team to find out more.

Budget Cuts 2 - header

For the development of Budget Cuts 2: Mission Insolvency Neat Corp teamed up with fellow Swedish VR developer Fast Travel Games. This meant that the team behind Apex Construct could help with one of the most crucial (and newest) elements of the sequel, a bow.

VRFocus has mentioned on previous occasions that the bow mechanics in Apex Construct are rather good and they’ve been transferred over to Budget Cuts 2: Mission Insolvency. The original Budgets Cuts had weapons to destroy the robot guards, but this time you can be even deadlier at range. Not only that but you can retrieve those valuable arrows from the cold metallic corpses so you never have to run out.

Really what you want to do (I’ve you’ve managed to miss them) is take a look at the 20 mins of gameplay video VRFocus recorded at Gamescom 2019 and how awesome our skills are (they’re not!), or read the in-depth preview to see what VRFocus thought. As a taster: “The collaboration between Neat Corporation and Fast Travel Games certainly seems to be paying off, with Budget Cuts 2: Mission Insolvency offering a greatly improved experience. With a launch expected later this year the sequel turnaround has been quite rapid, however, the quality of the videogame shown didn’t feel rushed.”

Budget Cuts 2

In the interview with VRFocus Neat Corporation’s Olle Axelsson some of the new features players can expect to find – not just the awesome bow – as well as how the project aims to improve on the original.

Budget Cuts 2: Mission Insolvency is expected to launch later this year for PC VR headsets including Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and Valve Index. Keep reading VRFocus for further updates to the videogame or take a look at the other Gamescom interviews including Somnium Space, Pixel Reef, Dark Curry, Carbon Studio, Cortopia Studios, Fast Travel Games and Mammossix.

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SKonec’s LBVR Shooter Battle Arena: Mortal Blitz Offers Thrilling PvP Combat

Korean developer SKonec Entertainment has a long and varied history in virtual reality (VR) development, having released first-person shooter (FPS) Mortal Blitz VR for Samsung Gear VR back in 2015. The studio has developed other titles since then but the Mortal Blitz franchise remains a core IP, especially when it comes to location-based entertainment (LBE). The latest instalment is a player versus player (PvP) title called Battle Arena: Mortal Blitz showcasing how well SKonec knows VR technology.

Battle Arena: Mortal Blitz

Currently, all of SKonec Entertainment’s VR LBE offerings are only available in its home territories. However, the recent Gamescom 2019 event in Cologne, Germany proved to be the perfect opportunity to demo arcade content to Europeans. Whilst not being able to offer the same lavish space-consuming attraction found in Korean arcades, the setup was ample enough to test Battle Arena: Mortal Blitz.

The videogame can normally accommodate up to four players but in this instance, there was only space for two. Honestly, this may have worked in Battle Arena: Mortal Blitz’ favour, providing a deadly game of cat and mouse across the single arena. Offering a pure deathmatch mode that was exceptionally fast and energetic, the rounds only lasted a couple of minutes. Once complete the desire to jump right back in was unmistakable.

Just like any good VR arcade experience which involves multiplayer Battle Arena: Mortal Blitz’ controls were easy to pick up for newbies, yet the gameplay was dynamic enough so that VR veterans could always enjoy a few matches.

Battle Arena: Mortal Blitz

For comfort Battle Arena: Mortal Blitz offers fixed point-to-point teleportation locations, set atop hexagonal pillars which were at various heights. This gave the arena a very tight, undulating topography which could mean at any given second you could either gain or lose the high ground making getting those kills a whole lot trickier.

When the match starts you automatically came equipped with pistols for both hands. While quite effective when getting a few headshots in, every time you teleport to a new spot a defensive light barrier appeared to hide behind. While destructible, without a decent line of sight the pistols were less than effective against the barriers, which is where all the other weapons came into play.

This being a competitive arcade multiplayer, SKonec has placed shotguns, miniguns and other weapons towards the map extremities. They couldn’t be picked up instantly though, locked via a timer. As such you weren’t simply able to ‘tool up’ and find your opponent, having to carefully dart around the arena to grab a gun at the opportune moment. For those lucky enough, at the very centre of the arena was the most destructive weapon, a huge plasma gun which fired a massive ball of purple energy. Relatively slow, when used correctly it offered a one-hit kill, instantly disintegrating the light barrier and enemy cowering behind it (very satisfying).

Battle Arena: Mortal Blitz

More importantly Battle Arena: Mortal Blitz was just great fun to play. With an awesome looking sci-fi, neon theme, matches were brutal, exciting and leave you with a big smile (winning does help). What’s a real shame at the moment is you need to go to South Korea to play it. There are lots of good VR arcade experiences in Europe and the US, one more definitely won’t hurt. When that will happen is a question SKonec Entertainment has yet to answer.

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Gamescom Gameplay Magic from The Wizards – Dark Times

It’s time for VRFocus’ Gamescom 2019 gameplay videos to come to an end and we’re finishing on a good one, Carbon Studio’s The Wizards – Dark Times. Expanding and improving on the original magic casting adventure from 2018, here are six magical minutes with the upcoming title.

The Wizards - Dark Times

Over the past week, VRFocus has gone in-depth with The Wizards – Dark Times, learning more about the project thanks to an interview with Carbon Studio’s Marketing Director Piotr Gala. Or how about a hands-on preview of the title which noted: “From what’s been shown so far The Wizards – Dark Times is definitely on track to offer an even more engaging experience than before. The spell casting works well, the environments look great, and the monsters put up a fight.”

Now it’s time to see the videogame in action, getting a taste for the action Carbon Studio is promising. This time The Wizard franchise will be aiming for a far more free-flowing adventure, dispelling with the wave-based arenas of the previous version, adding in puzzles alongside dynamic fights with enemies which can appear anywhere.

You’re not some sword-swinging adventurer however, you’re a mage with powerful spell attacks. Immersion is important for Carbon Studio so there’s no HUD or complicated menu system to assign spells. No, The Wizards – Dark Times turns you into a proper conjurer with gesture-based spells. This does mean there are eleven to learn in the final videogame but the team has ensured they’re easier to cast. In the video, you’ll only see three of these used, a fireball spell, a shield and the ice bow. Each has its own particular uses depending on the enemy or puzzle faced.

The Wizards - Dark Times

Scheduled to launch in Q1 2020 for PC VR headsets like Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, The Wizards – Dark Times is also being developed for Oculus Quest. Check out the gameplay video below of VRFocus’ other gameplay videos from Gamescom 2019 including The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets, Acron: Attack of the Squirrels, Down the Rabbit Hole or Budget Cuts 2: Mission Insolvency.

Or there are VRFocus’ Gamescom interviews including Somnium Space, Pixel Reef, Dark Curry, Carbon Studio, Cortopia Studios, Fast Travel Games and Mammossix. For further updates from Carbon Studio keep reading VRFocus.

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Gamescom Interview 2019: Mammossix Discuss a Virtual World for Everyone

When it comes to big open virtual reality (VR) worlds with social features there does seem to be a growing abundance of them, such as Somnium Space, Sansar, OrbusVR: Reborn and Nostos to name a few. Another on that list which is currently in Steam Early Access is Galaxity by Korean developer Mammossix. Launched earlier this year, VRFocus caught up with the team to find out more about the project and their plans for the future.

Galaxity

Supporting PC headsets like Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Windows Mixed Reality, Valve Index, Oculus Go and Samsung Gear VR with cross-platform integration, Galaxity is one of these open worlds all about community and social interaction, completely free to download and start exploring.

The current version allows users to customise their appearance with a variety of hair, skin, clothing and colour options, play various mini-games such as football, baseball car racing and even zombie survival, as well as being able to hang out with friends at a movie theatre and watch YouTube videos. Users can be friendly towards each other or engage in a little duelling when the need arises.

All of this takes place in one singular city at present. One of Mammossix’s goals is to expand the landscape to offer greater exploration opportunities, adding in famous cities like London and Paris. Users will also one day be able to create their own buildings and homes so they can have their own social space to invite friends around.

Galaxity

Mammossix hasn’t set a timeline of any of these features just yet or how long it plans on being in Early Access. One of the unique benefits of Galaxity is that signing into your Facebook account through the software means your data will be stored to play on any of the aforementioned headsets.

The full interview with Mammossix CEO Charles Yoo can be viewed below. Or take a look at VRFocus’ other interviews from Gamescom including Somnium Space, Pixel Reef, Dark Curry, Carbon Studio, Cortopia Studios and Fast Travel Games. For further updates from Mammossix including the addition of new features to Galaxity, keep reading VRFocus.

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20 Minutes of Sneaky Budget Cuts 2: Mission Insolvency Gameplay Footage

Thanks to Fast Travel Games hosting the VR Games Showcase during Gamescom 2019 last month all the developers in attendance not only showcased new and upcoming virtual reality (VR) titles, but they also handily recorded all the gameplay footage. All of which VRFocus has lovingly showcased over the last few days. Today, it’s the turn of Neat Corporation’s  Budget Cuts 2: Mission Insolvency the sequel to 2018’s stealth experience.

Budget Cuts 2

In VRFocus’ longest gameplay video from the event, there are over 20 minutes of embarrassing footage as we try to make it across the rooftops, taking down as many sentry robots as possible whilst showcasing some deadly bow skills.

If you’ve played the original Budget Cuts then you’ll know all about the teleportation gun, firing a blue blob around corners, into vents or anywhere else as you tried to avoid confrontation at all costs, grabbing a pair of scissors when in peril. In  Budget Cuts 2: Mission Insolvency stealth is still a factor but now you can be a lot more aggressive thanks to a new bow, care of Neat Corp’s partnership with Apex Construct developer Fast Travel Games.

It’s not just the bow that’s been added with Neat Corp including a much wider variety of environments as well as enemies to deal with. The aim is to expand the gameplay variety, keeping what made the original great whilst enriching the universe.

Budget Cuts 2

To see what VRFocus thought about the title take a look at the Budget Cuts 2: Mission Insolvency preview which noted: “The collaboration between Neat Corporation and Fast Travel Games certainly seems to be paying off, with Budget Cuts 2: Mission Insolvency offering a greatly improved experience. With a launch expected later this year the sequel turnaround has been quite rapid, however, the quality of the videogame shown didn’t feel rushed.”

Take a look at the gameplay footage from Budget Cuts 2: Mission Insolvency below, or head on over to VRFocus’other gameplay videos from Gamescom 2019 including The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets, Acron: Attack of the Squirrels and Down the Rabbit Hole. The title is expected to launch later this year for PC VR platforms like Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and Valve Index. As further information is released VRFocus will keep you updated.

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Preview: Iron Man VR – Living the Superhero Dream

Whether you’re a comic book fan or not there’s no denying the fact that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has shaped modern cinema ever since the first Iron Man movie in 2008. There have been several videogame tie-ins trying to milk the brand and for the most part have felt lacklustre, failing to grab the energy and excitement of being Tony Stark in the world’s most famous armour. Until Iron Man VR that is. Thanks to virtual reality’s (VR) unique ability to put you inside the suit, Iron Man VR could well be the benchmark for future superhero videogames.

Iron Man VR

First announced back in March 2019 and exclusive to PlayStation VR, developer Camouflaj demoed the title at the recent Gamescom 2019 event in Cologne, Germany, and the queue’s certainly testified to fans interest.

Available was a short 10-15 minute demo which served as an opening tutorial, giving players a chance to test the various flight and weapons controls. Set outside Stark’s LA home from the first couple of movies, by far and away the most important aspect to get right was flight. If you can’t freely soar through the clouds opening up for some intense straight-line speed before suddenly changing tack and nipping in and out of obstacles then the illusion would be broken before it had even begun.

Thankfully the studio has got most of this right from first impressions. There’s a nice boost manoeuvre to speed you along and the all-important hand controls work very well when changing direction or merely hovering. The only real disappointment when it comes to flying is turning, and this is due to the technical restrictions of PlayStation VR. Because of the single-camera setup there’s no turning around to fly gracefully. Instead, you need to press the Square or Triangle buttons on the PlayStation Move controllers to snap turn which does ruin the magic a bit.

Iron Man VR

That being said, all the flight motion is very comfortable due to using the hand-mounted thrusters. Only those who really suffer terrible nausea maybe effected, that’s something VRFocus can’t test.

Once the basic flight controls have been mastered it was onto the weapon systems. This mainly involved using the thrusters as blasters (as shown in the films). With Iron Man’s targeting systems being automatic simply looking in a target’s direction would bring up a reticule then point hand and fire. Quick and very easy to operate.

The skill came when trying to operate flight and weapons at the same time. This was where Iron Man VR started to shine, flying across the top of the ocean, dipping in and out of rock formations while blasting away at enemies was exactly the kind of experience fans of the character have been looking for. There was also a punch mechanic which dashed you in for a devastating blow when close enough.

Iron Man VR

Iron Man VR has already created plenty of buzz and excitement thanks to the possibility it’ll be a fully-fledged VR videogame rather than the short demo experience Spider-Man: Far From Home Virtual Reality. And that’s certainly justified from what VRFocus has seen so far. With a launch still expected in 2019, Iron Man VR could very well be one of PlayStation VR’s biggest hits.

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Gamescom 2019 Interview: Who Would Steal and Hide Lots of Pets?

There wasn’t a lot of virtual reality (VR) title at Gamescom 2019 which could have been called cute, but Fast Travel Games’ (Apex Construct) latest The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets would certainly fit the bill. Offering a demo of the first level during the annual videogame event, VRFocus also had time to chat with James Hunt, the guy who came up with the idea for the title in the first place.

The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets

Due for release later this year for PlayStation VR, Oculus Quest, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and Windows Mixed Reality headsets, The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets is a charming puzzle title involving floating 3D worlds. As the name of the videogame implies each level involves finding a selection of missing pets hidden in the landscapes.

Featuring stop-motion character animations for a suitable cartoon feel, in the demo level three of the little critters had to be found in amongst the scenery. With plenty of the landscape being interactive, at it’s simplest the pets were located inside a bush whilst at its most complicated the puzzles became a little more elaborate.

“Guided by the voice of your grandfather, travel back to the imaginative adventures of your childhood and the worlds you created together. Revisit a joyful past and the troubled relationship with your sister. You will come to realize things about yourself you forgot decades ago,” explains the story synopsis.

The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets

VRFocus previewed The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets, saying: “Fast Travel Games isn’t going for hardcore puzzle gameplay here as you’d find in Gadgeteer or Transpose. The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets even made it onto VRFocus’  ‘Favourite VR Games From Gamescom 2019‘ list, highlighting the fact it did make VRFocus smile.”

Check out the interview with Hunt below, who reveals how the project came to life and the story behind the gameplay. Or take a look at VRFocus other interviews from Gamescom including Somnium Space, Pixel Reef, Dark Curry, Carbon Studio and Cortopia Studios. For further updates from Fast Travel Games including the released date for The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets, keep reading VRFocus.