Category: Ramen VR

Posted on

VR MMO Zenith Gets $10 Million In Funding, Team Expanding

Promising upcoming VR massively multiplayer online game (MMO), Zenith: The Last City, just got a big boost in funding.

Developer Ramen VR announced this week that it has raised $10 million in a Series A round, which it will put to expanding its team and growing out the upcoming experience. The round was lead by Makers Fund, Anthos Capital and Dune Ventures. It comes off the back of the developer’s 2019 Kickstarter campaign for the game, which raised $280,075. It’s also paired with a funding partnership from Facebook.

As a result, the developer is going on a recruitment drive with new listings on its website.

We’ve had our eye on Zenith for a long time. The game promises a gorgeous fantasy world with melee combat and sorcery, where you can meet up with friends and go on adventures. VR MMOs are an incredibly promising prospect and we’re yet to see one really deliver on a massive scale. We’ve got our fingers crossed that Zenith will deliver.

So far the game has run two alpha testing phases, which it says saw users spend an average of two hours a day with.

The game still doesn’t have a release date, but is planned for launch on Quest, PSVR and PC VR with full cross-play support. The press release also mentions Sony’s upcoming PS5 VR headset as a reason to look forward to the future but doesn’t specifically confirm compatibility yet. Beta testing is planned ahead of an official release, though.

Posted on

VR MMORPG Zenith: The Last City Completes $10m Funding Round

Zenith

Indie virtual reality (VR) studio Ramen VR began work on its MMORPG Zenith: The Last City back in 2019, launching a successful Kickstarter that same year to help fund the project. Resources shouldn’t be much of an issue now because the studio has announced the successful completion of a $10 million Series A investment round.

Zenith

The round was led by Makers Fund, Anthos Capital and Dune Ventures, with Ramen VR founders Andy Tsen and Lauren Frazier using the funds to expand the development team. This is in addition to the funding partnership they have in place with Oculus.

“With Ramen VR, our goal is to create a digital reality that is as significant and memorable as the physical one, expanding on what makes a captivating and immersive social game. Zenith is the first step in that direction,” said Andy Tsen, CEO and co-founder, Ramen VR in a statement. “Lauren and I set out to design a world that married the positive social features of MMOs with the power of VR, and with the rising popularity of VR hardware and growing interest in the metaverse, we’re seeing so many ways for our players to make meaningful connections in Zenith. We’ve already had incredibly positive feedback from our community about the social interactions in our game and the promise of the future. Our partners at Makers Fund, Anthos, and Dune have been so supportive of our vision, and we are thrilled to have them aboard our journey.”

Zenith: The Last City has gained a lot of interest from the VR community over the past couple of years thanks to the pure scope of the project. A fully cross-platform VR MMO that will support all major platforms including Oculus Quest, PlayStation VR, and PC VR devices, the videogame offers an open world for players to explore with gameplay focused on multiplayer collaboration.

Zenith

To date, Ramen VR has completed two closed alphas that saw thousands of players participate, with the studio claiming that most users spent: “an average of two hours per day with some players spending as much as 40 hours a week.” Inspired by anime, JRPG classics, World of Warcraft, and Ultima Online, Zenith: The Last City could offer some of the most expansive gaming seen in VR, a massively rich fantasy universe where players craft their own path by selecting various character classes depending on whether they prefer wielding magic or diving into melee combat.

While the last Alpha was completed in early August the studio has yet to confirm when the beta testing is likely to start. With the new investment to bring more people on board, there might not be too long to wait.

VRFocus will continue its coverage of Zenith: The Last City, reporting back with further updates.

Posted on

Zenith: The Last City VR MMO Interview Q&A Video

Zenith: The Last City is an upcoming VR MMORPG in development by Ramen VR slated to release on PC VR headsets, PSVR, Quest, and non-VR PC platforms. We sat down with Andy Tsen, CEO of Ramen VR, to chat about the game and their ambitious ideas.

The video will premiere on our YouTube channel at 3:15PM PT today. You can watch it as it premieres right here down below, or once it’s over you can watch it back just like any other YouTube video.

Zenith: The Last City VR MMORPG—Interview Q&A

For a shorter excerpt from this interview, you can read about Tsen’s commitment to making Zenith: The Last City a truly full-scale MMORPG with all of the features and ideas that come along with that. They’re building it out to be a massive, sprawling world that you can really live in.

Read More: How VR MMO Zenith Is Being ‘Built For VR’ First And Foremost

Zenith raised over $280,000 on Kickstarter in late 2019 and are currently aiming to get Zenith out sometime this year. The first closed alpha tests are happening next month for pre-order customers and Kickstarter backers.

Fans of anime like Sword Art Online and .hack//sign as well as popular franchises like The Matrix and Ready Player One have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of a true, full-scale VR MMORPG like this and Ilysia for years. OrbusVR scratches the itch a bit, but is small in scope by comparison.

Let us know what you think of the game and the interview itself down in the comments below! If you’d rather read the interview, check back tomorrow for a full transcript.

Posted on

The VR Job Hub: Pocket Sized Hands, Ramen VR & Greensky Games

VR Job Hub

Every weekend VRFocus gathers together vacancies from across the virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) industry, in locations around the globe to help make finding that ideal job easier. Below is a selection of roles that are currently accepting applications across a number of disciplines, all within departments and companies that focus on immersive entertainment.

Location Company Role Link
Dundee, Remote to begin with Pocket Sized Hands Producer Click Here to Apply
Dundee, Remote to begin with Pocket Sized Hands Kickstart: Junior Programmer Click Here to Apply
Dundee, Remote to begin with Pocket Sized Hands Kickstart: Junior Artist Click Here to Apply
Dundee, Remote to begin with Pocket Sized Hands Kickstart: QA Tester Click Here to Apply
Remote Ramen VR Tech Artist Click Here to Apply
San Leandro, CA Ramen VR Gameplay Engineer Click Here to Apply
Remote Ramen VR Graphics Engineer Click Here to Apply
Remote Greensky Games Unity Technical Artist Click Here to Apply
Remote Greensky Games Graphics Engineer Click Here to Apply
Remote Greensky Games UI Artist (Contract) Click Here to Apply
Remote Greensky Games Senior Unity Developer Click Here to Apply

Don’t forget, if there wasn’t anything that took your fancy this week there’s always last week’s listings on The VR Job Hub to check as well.

If you are an employer looking for someone to fill an immersive technology related role – regardless of the industry – don’t forget you can send us the lowdown on the position and we’ll be sure to feature it in that following week’s feature. Details should be sent to Peter Graham (pgraham@vrfocus.com).

We’ll see you next week on VRFocus at the usual time of 3PM (UK) for another selection of jobs from around the world.

Posted on

Zenith VR MMO Alpha Delayed To May (Update)

[Update 3/31/21]: Today the developers announced that the start dates for its upcoming Preview Weekend, Early Bird Alpha, and Second Alpha tests have all been delayed. Previously everything was going to kick off in just a couple of weeks, but now the Kickstarter-exclusive Preview Weekend isn’t slated until May 1-2 with the Early Bird Alpha picking up on May 3-9, followed by the Second Alpha on June 14-20. Beta dates are still TBD.

According to the update blog post, “over 100 improvements” and fixes are planned over the course of the 2-week delay to make sure it’s as polished and bug-free as possible. For more on upcoming VR MMO Zenith: The Last City, watch or read our 45-minute deep dive interview:

[Original 3/10/21]: Today, pre-orders have officially gone live for Zenith: The Last City, an upcoming MMO that will launch on PC VR, PSVR, and Quest, as well as for non-VR PC platforms. The first preview weekend and early bird alpha tests are coming next month.

There are three different tiers you can pre-order, depending on how eager you are to get into the game: Standard ($30), Deluxe ($40), and Collector’s Edition ($60).

Here’s the breakdown on what’s included in each edition:

zenith vr mmo pre-order tiers

If you are a Kickstarter backer or founder, or decide to purchase the Collector’s Edition, then you get access to all alphas and betas, no questions asked. The same also applies to the first 1,000 people that buy the Deluxe edition. Deluxe buyers that miss the “first 1,000” cutoff will have to wait until the second alpha and beta periods.

Additionally, Kickstarter backers and founders will get a two-day weekend headstart on the Early Bird Alpha with a special ‘Preview Weekend’ coming very soon from April 17-18. After that, the first ‘Early Bird Alpha’ period runs from April 19-26 with the ‘Second Alpha’ running from May 31 – June 6. Dates for the Early Bird Beta and Second Beta are not set yet and all dates are subject to change.

zenith vr mmo alpha beta timeline

There is still no launch date set for Zenith: The Last City, but according to developers Ramen VR it’s planned to release this year for PC VR, PSVR, and Quest — as well as non-VR PC.

Stay glued to the Zenith Twitter for the latest news and let us know if you plan on picking the game up down in our comments below!

Posted on

Pre-orders Open Tomorrow for VR MMORPG Zenith

Zenith

Indie team Ramen VR held a Kickstarter crowd-funding campaign for its MMORPG Zenith back in 2019, successfully raising over $280k. Last week saw the studio release new screenshots, a trailer, as well as confirm PlayStation VR support. If all that sparked your interest and you weren’t a Kickstarter backer then keep an eye out tomorrow when three pre-order tiers drop.

Zenith pre-orders

Apart from a few side goodies, the main difference in Zenith’s pre-order pricing structure is access to early builds of the videogame. For $29.99 USD you’ll get the standard base game when it officially launches plus a digital copy of the main theme song. Up the amount to $39.99 and you’ll get access to Alpha and Beta builds, with a slight variation depending on your order placement – if you’re in the first 1000 then you can play the Early Bird Alpha just like Kickstarter backers.

If you stump up $59.99 then you’ll bag yourself the Zenith Collector’s Edition, offering unfettered access to all the Alpha’s, Beta’s and even a Dingbo pet to accompany you on your adventures. Pre-orders go live via the Zenith website on 10th March, 7 AM PT/3 PM GMT.

Over on Zenith’s Discord, Ramen VR has been revealing several other snippets of information. These include a minimap navigation system to find quest givers and various quest objectives, Essence Mage and a Blade Master armour sets, and some b-footage not included in the trailer.

Zenith Alpha-Beta timeline

Zenith promises a big open world set in a fantasy realm inspired by anime, JRPG classics, World of Warcraft, and Ultima Online. Like most MMORPG’s, players will be able to select from various character classes depending on whether they prefer wielding magic diving into melee combat, choosing their own path.

There’s no official release date for Zenith just yet, it is expected to launch in 2021 supporting Oculus Quest, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Valve Index, Windows Mixed Reality headsets and PlayStation VR. VRFocus will continue its coverage of Zenith, reporting back with the latest news and updates.

Posted on

A New Trailer & Screenshots Showcase Zenith’s Expansive World

Zenith

There a couple of exciting virtual reality (VR) MMORPG’s on the horizon, one that VRFocus has been following closely is Zenith by Ramen VR. Yesterday the studio revealed a bunch of new content and details, screenshots, a trailer and confirmation a PlayStation VR version is in the works.

Zenith

Beginning as a Kickstarter in 2019, Zenith was already looking good after the last teasing content arrived in February. All the new stuff definitely turns that up a notch, giving a much better look at the various locations players will be able to venture to as well as the whole overarching narrative.

A big cyberpunk VR MMORPG that has been inspired by anime, JRPG classics, World of Warcraft, and Ultima Online, Zenith is set around the futuristic titular city, with other locations including the lush Amarite Forest and the Radiant Coast. The story is set several generations after a cataclysmic event known as The Fracture but the darkness that caused it is returning.

So players can team up or go it alone on a mixture of adventures, selecting from various character classes with customisable options to become powerful mages or sword fighters. Alongside a varied combat system, Zenith will allow players to climb anything, scaling the sides of skyscrapers or giant cliff faces with their hands to hunt for useful items and hidden loot. Get up high and utilise the gliding system to easily traverse areas of attack from the skies.

Zenith

The adventure will also feature a procedural quest system, tailoring to a player’s current level and abilities whilst randomising rewards. Being an MMORPG, players can simply choose their own path, building their reputation along the way.

Zenith doesn’t have a released ate just yet but Ramen VR is planning on support Oculus Quest and Rift, PlayStation VR and SteamVR headsets, ensuring maximum coverage across the major platforms. The studio will be releasing further details including the alpha release date, rewards for pre-ordering and the pre-order date relatively soon. When that information is available, VRFocus will let you know.

Posted on

New Zenith VR MMO Trailer And Screenshots Show A Gorgeous Fantasy World

A new trailer and screenshots revealed today for upcoming VR MMO Zenith show a gorgeous fantasy world we can’t wait to explore. It’s also getting a new subtitle, changing the name to Zenith: The Last City.

Zenith: The Last City VR MMO

Developers Ramen VR previously announced during the Kickstarter campaign (where it raised over $280k) that the game was in development for PC VR, Quest, and PSVR, in addition to non-VR PC platforms, but today the PS Blog made the PSVR version official.

In the reveal post there wasn’t any truly “new” information shared about the game like a big new feature or release date, but the new screenshots and trailer embedded above all look absolutely gorgeous.

zenith vr mmo beach dock town

A couple weeks ago we got a fresh close-up look at combat in Zenith showing off the frantic melee slashing of its Beat Saber-inspired gameplay. Now, we’re getting a much wider view of the world with some great shots of the vistas and landscapes.

Zenith will feature an expansive world and will even let you climb mountains on your adventure across the ravaged land. There are major JRPG undertones in its setting and vibe as well, although it’s not a turn-based combat game.

In the blog post, there are some lore details as well:

Our game has beautiful, hand-crafted environments that you’ll spend hours getting lost in. From lush canopies in the Amarite Forest, to turquoise blue waters at the Radiant Coast, to the hyper futuristic city of Zenith itself, we’ve built a stylized fantasy world dripping with detail. Of course beautiful scenery is only one part of making Zenith feel like a living world, we’ve also invested lots of time on lore, infusing the setting with intricate details that bring it to life.

Set generations after a cataclysmic event known only as The Fracture, players will be drawn into an engrossing tale as they fight man and gods alike to prevent catastrophe from striking again. Using the power of Essence, the magical lifeblood of all living beings, players will grow increasingly powerful as they adventure together — meeting a colorful cast of champions and villains along the way.

zenith vr mmo crystal

Upcoming VR MMO Zenith is slated to hit PSVR, Quest, and PC VR. According to its Steam page, it’s slated for this year.

Posted on

New Combat Footage For VR MMO Zenith Looks Frantic And Fun

In some new footage for upcoming built-for-VR MMO Zenith, we get a good look at what up-close and intense melee combat is like. Developers Ramen VR raised over $280,000 to help bring the game to life and are funded by Y Combinator. Zenith is slated to release for PC VR this year.

The clips above are taken from the Zenith devblog, Discord server, and developer newsletter. In them we can see lots of very fast-paced combat, which is something that’s been missing from most of the footage released so far.

OrbusVR was the first VR MMO to hit for the public and combat in that game is, comparatively, quite slow. It requires lots of careful aiming and mechanical movements, whereas Ramen VR claims to have taken inspiration from the likes of Beat Saber for their combat system.

I especially like the bit in the second clip that shows the player reaching up to the sky and calling down a lightning bolt to cast a spell. Those types of interactions are what make VR so much more engaging, but MMOs are massive games with so many complex intertwining systems that it’s difficult to manage everything at once.

Zenith has a unique sci-fi meets cyberpunk meets Japanese architecture and floral design style. It certainly doesn’t look like much else I’ve seen and strays far away from the “traditonal” fantasy vibe most MMOs go for, such as EverQuest, World of Warcraft, Elder Scrolls Online, and even the upcoming VR MMO Ilysia.

Time will tell whether or not Zenith can take charge as the go-to VR MMO, there is certainly a lot of competition out there. In the meantime, check out the Steam page for more details. Let us know what you think down in the comments below!

Posted on

New Zenith Trailer Shows Expansive VR MMO Gameplay, Coming To Quest With PC VR Crossplay

Zenith is an upcoming JRPG-inspired VR MMO that raised over $280,000 on Kickstarter to help fund development. It will feature fast-paced action combat that’s reminiscent of Beat Saber mixed with Until You Fall, in addition to a Japan-meets-Cyberpunk art style.

We’d already seen some glimpses of gameplay, but the trailer footage posted on Reddit yesterday is the first really clear look into the game’s world, art style, and tone overall. You can watch it all embedded below:

This is Zenith, the JRPG inspired VRMMORPG that we’ve worked on for the past year. What do you guys think? from r/OculusQuest

A few things stand out in this gameplay. Not only do we see the player fighting off a group of enemy that has surrounded them, implying Vader Immortal-style lightsaber dojo moments of needing to spin and respond to attacks quickly, but there’s also a brief glimpse of climbing as well. Since this is an MMO, we can assume the world is quite vast so being able to discover locales both vertically and horizontally could be really great.

On the Steam page, which simply states a 2021 release window, there are various screenshots, GIFs, and more as well. From everything we’ve seen, fans of the first VR MMO, Orbus VR, will likely have a lot to look forward to here. There’s also a Discord server setup already with well over 10,000 members and counting.

The Steam page lists all major PC VR headsets, including Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Valve Index, and Windows Mixed Reality. Zenith is also planned for both PSVR and Quest. According to the Reddit post on the Quest subreddit the team has “already implemented basic Quest support in our pre-alpha” and it will be fully crossplay with PC VR as well. The PSVR version is not currently confirmed to support crossplay.

zenith vr mmo screenshot 3 zenith vr mmo screenshot 5 zenith vr mmo screenshot 2 zenith vr mmo screenshot 4

There’s no release date yet other than just 2021.