Summer Lesson – Page 2 – Augmented & Virtual Reality Confabulation

April 2, 2017

Excited for Summer Lesson? Pre-order to Win Hikari Miyamoto Figurine

The news that Bandai Namco Games Ltd. will be releasing a version of the forthcoming PlayStation VR exclusive, Summer Lesson, with English language subtitles has got the virtual reality (VR) early adopters in a bit of a stir. One of VR’s greatest curiosities will be available for all to play, and import specialists are working to ensure the international audience are aware of this.

Summer Lesson Screenshot

The first chapter of the videogame, Summer Lesson: Hikari Miyamoto, casts the player as a tutor set about helping a young girl with her language lessons. The English language version of the videogame will include four downloadable content (DLC) packs as standard, but has been revealed as featuring just the one girl: the titular Hikari Miyamoto.

One of the most well known videogame import specialist retails, Play Asia, has launched a new competition for those who pre-order Summer Lesson: Hikari Miyamoto. All pre-order customers – including those who pre-ordered prior to today’s announcement – will be entered into a competition to win one of five 1/8 Scale Hikari Miyamoto figures from Figuarts Zero.

The competition is limited to one version of the videogame, the Physical & English full release of Summer Lesson for PSVR. Summer Lesson: Hikari Miyamoto is set for release on 27th April 2017, exclusively for PlayStation VR, and VRFocus will keep you updated with all the latest details.

Summer Lesson Play Asia Competition

April 1, 2017

Wilson’s Heart, Giant Cop, and Grand Theft VR: The Week In VR Gaming

It’s yet another busy week in VR gaming land with plenty of big new releases and some updates on some of our most anticipated titles. Read on for the latest news on what’s coming to the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and PlayStation VR.

Reveals, Release Dates and News

The week kicked off with the reveal that Wilson’s Heart isn’t far away from launching, which will come as good news to many. For those dreaming of GTA VR, there’s a new update for the mod that allows you to play GTAV with Rift and Vive. Some Oculus Touch favorites, meanwhile, are on the way to Gear VR with the new controller, and PSVR’s strange Summer Lesson is getting a psychical English language release in Asia. Rock Band VR may have launched last week but it’s already got a multiplatform competitor. Sadly some of the game’s developers have been laid off, though.

Hands-on

We got a look at one of our most anticipated Rift games, Wilson’s Heart, this week ahead of its launch later this month. On the PSVR side, we checked out Ancient Amuletor, which brings tower defence to the headset. Meanwhile at EGX Rezzed in the UK we saw a strange new multiplayer VR game where you swat away bees while cooking food. Because why not? Also, make sure not to miss our impressions of the excellent Frontier VR.

Reviews

Lots of games were subject to our reviewing wrath this week and overall the results were pretty good. Fated’s PSVR version proved to be well worth picking up for fans of the headset. Narcosis, meanwhile, had a decent stab at VR horror with a gamepad, but came up a little short. The same is true of Giant Cop, which is a great tech demo but still little else.

Releases

There’s plenty of big stuff on each platform this week. If you’re a PSVR user then make sure to check out Fated: The Silent Oath and Korix. Rift users, meanwhile might find some fun in Giant Cop, while Vive users can enjoy the latest game from Phaser Lock, Twisted Arrow.

As always, for all releases you can check out our full Rift, Vive and PSVR lists.

Tagged with: Bee Bee Q, Frontier VR, Giant Cop, Grand Theft VR, Rock Band VR, summer lesson, wilson's heart

April 1, 2017

Summer Lesson English Language Trailer Released

Earlier in the week VRFocus brought you news about Summer Lesson, the much anticipated virtual reality (VR) Japanese schoolgirl interaction sim for PlayStation VR that was first announced by Bandai Namco for the then Project Morpheus back in 2014.

Summer Lesson Screenshot

The full game, Summer Lesson: Miyamoto Hikari Seven Days Room is not due to be released in the West, instead coming out in Japanese and a Chinese language version referred to as the Southeast Asia region version by the company. The latter of which was revealed to also contain English subtitles, making it a target for gamers who would be interested in importing the title, which will be available digitally as well as phyically in a pack also containing two extra scenes and additional content.

Continuing on from the initial release date trailers, and following up on the English subtitle option Bandai Namco has now released an English language version of the trailer which you can see below.

VRFocus Editor Kevin Joyce recently previewed the game’s content which revolved around a character different from Hikari who has been featured in a number of play tests and whilst it wasn’t necessarily his cup of tea it certainly showed that all manner of games can find a new lease of life of VR.

VRFocus will be bringing you more news about Summer Lesson in the weeks up to and after launch, be sure to check back regularly.

March 28, 2017

You’ll Soon Be Able To Import PSVR’s Summer Lesson

One of PlayStation VR’s (PSVR’s) more curious games never came west. Summer Lesson from Bandai Namco was one of the first games Sony’s Japanese division debuted for the headset, but it never released in Europe or the USA despite getting demonstrations at industry events. If you’re desperate to play it, though, you’ll soon have a chance.

Summer Lesson is getting a physical English language release, just not in the west. The game is coming to Southeast Asia on April 27th, Japanese videogame news site Gematsu reports. The new edition of the game will include all of the new DLC that’s released since it launched last year such as new content that sees players take their mentored student our for some exercise in the summer air. Check it out in a trailer below.

There’s still no word on a full western release, then, but you could at least import it if you were really keen to see it. PS4 isn’t region-locked, after all, so the disc should work inside your console.

The game is something of a mystery to many of us over in the west. While it’s not as blatantly creepy as something like the PSVR support for Dead or Alive Xtreme 3, there is something a little off putting about spending all your time with a Japanese school girl. That said, Summer Lesson looks like it does some interesting work with character interactions in VR and how you communicate with NPCs, which we’d be very interested to see.

Tagged with: PlayStation VR, PSVR, summer lesson

March 27, 2017

Preview: Summer Lesson – Summer Lovin’ is Awkward as Hell

The physical media PlayStation VR version of the highly anticipated Summer Lesson is quickly approaching. The recent confirmation of a release date and the revelation that certain editions of the videogame will be made available with English language subtitles has the western world in a spin, as Summer Lesson – despite the suggestion that there may be a chance international localisation – is not the kind of videogame we can typically expect to see a western release.

Summer Lesson Screenshot

And for good reason. While Summer Lesson appeals to eastern ‘otaku’ culture, in the west the premise will undoubtedly be seen as creepy by many. The player acts as a tutor to a series of girls attempting to learn a foreign language, but invariably becomes a bit too close for comfort. As a videogame that fits most comfortably in the dating sim genre, Summer Lesson is a videogame which doesn’t hold back from teasing the sexuality of attractive girls without pretending there’s any deeper context than titillation.

In VRFocus’ hands-on time with Summer Lesson we met with a blonde American trying to learn Japanese. However, there was little in the way of tutoring as the young lady began telling the story of her reasons behind the decision to learn a new language, her part-time job and her other studies. She also appeared to be very easily distracted, asking the player about their favourite flowers, pastimes and more. Indeed, there was even a moment in which she insisted on grabbing her guitar and performing a gentler acoustic song while frequently making eye contact.

The player’s input consists solely of nods and headshakes for agreement and disagreement, and gaze-control for multiple-answer questions. Depending on the responses given the in-game character will react in a different way. However, whatever reactions you choose to give it seems almost impossible that she won’t grow to ‘like’ you, and as such moments where she feels comfortable enough to stretch out across your lap and touch your face are inevitable.

Summer Lesson Screenshot

Summer Lesson is officially billed as ‘VR Character Communication’, however in practice it’s much more of an experience designed solely for titillation. This isn’t relationship building nor is it an exercise for developing social skills; Summer Lesson is a fantasy. It’s an opportunity to exercise your suspension-of-disbelief to achieve a goal that you may not otherwise be able to. It’s a cynical piece of software targeting a stereotype, but for those in the western world it’s also a chance to experience a small piece of alternative culture from an alien custom.

Set for release on physical media next month, Summer Lesson will be available in a region-free edition with English subtitles. VRFocus will be bringing you more details on the release of Summer Lesson in due course.

March 26, 2017

PSVR Dating Sim ‘Summer Lesson’ to Get English Subtitles and Broader Release in April

Summer Lesson, a rather unique offering among PSVR games, launched alongside the headset in Japan back in November. Now, come April 28th, the game will see a broader release into Southeastern Asia release with English subtitles, opening the door to enjoyment by those who don’t speak the game’s native Japanese language. Those in Western regions interested in the title may be able to download it as well.

IGN reports that during the Bandai Namco Entertainment Product Conference in Singapore this week, the company announced a new version of Summer Lesson which will come bundled with two DLCs, include English subtitles, and launch in Southeast Asian markets. The trailer below shows one of the DLC and its English subtitles:

While there aren’t currently plans for an official Western release of Summer Lesson, it’s expected that the game will be downloadable by US and EU PS4 players to via the PlayStation Store through a workaround.

Summer Lesson falls into the niche game genre of the dating sim. And while certainly more targeted toward Asia than the US and elsewhere, the game does something noteworthy as the first dating sim for PSVR; after trying an early version of the game, the level of immersion led me to feeling uncomfortable when I was placed close to the game’s characters, as though I was invading their personal space. I elaborated on why that discomfort was actually revealing of VR’s unique ability to immerse players:

As the scene moved along, the blonde-haired girl got out a Japanese study book and asked me to clarify some language for her. To do this she got even closer to me, leaned her head over right near mine and asked me to take a look at the book that she now held before us both.

This was every bit as awkward as walking up to a stranger on the street and putting my face inches away from theirs. And it made me feel like a total creep—something no form of media outside of VR has ever done.

There I was, in VR, worried about having invaded the personal space of a virtual character, and yet all the same, unable to turn off that natural human instinct despite knowing full well that she was nothing more than ones and zeros.

In my experience even the most immersive, well directed movie can’t reach out and make you personally—the person sitting in the audience—feel this way. The very best a big screen movie can do is to portray a character on the screen as such, but that still leaves the audience disconnected. Even in (non-VR) games, where the player has agency in a virtual world, there’s still a chasm between the identity of the player and the character that the player controls inside the game.

[…]

The incredible levels of immersion afforded by modern headsets like PlayStation VR can create these intimate human feelings like no media before. This is but one demonstration of virtual reality’s fundamental ability to connect with us on a human level, which will enable VR to convey personally emotional stories.

The post PSVR Dating Sim ‘Summer Lesson’ to Get English Subtitles and Broader Release in April appeared first on Road to VR.

March 26, 2017

Summer Lesson Release Dated, Getting Physical Release

With Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE)’s virtual reality (VR) headset the PlayStation VR doing well both critically and commercially – the latter to a degree that has surprised even SIE – talk inevitably turns to what new games are coming to the head-mounted display (HMD) to keep the momentum going. This last week brought news on a number of videogames including puzzler Korix getting dated as well as three new titles from PlayStation’s own China Hero Project.

Another title that many have been waiting to hear more about has now also been dated. Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia’s Summer Lesson has now been set for release on 27th April 2017. This was revealed in a trailer, one of three videos released at the end of last week by the studio.

The videogame sees you take on the role of teacher/mentor to Japanese student Hikari Miyamoto, and you spend time with Hikari, interacting with her in her room and the world around you. With additional content also available relating to Japan’s maid cafe culture among other subjects. The videogame is one of the earliest titles revealed for the PlayStation VR. Being first revealed back during the pre-Tokyo Game Show conference of SIE – then called Sony Computer Entertainment – in 2014.

It was also confirmed was that the previously mentioned subtitled English version for Southeast Asia would also be coming – shown in a Chinese language version of the trailer released at the same time. Summer Lesson was originally slated as a Japanese-only release with this additional version first mentioned near the end of 2016.

As well as the date announcement trailers additional trailers were also released for the Grand Fireworks scenario and costume and “Day Out” downloadable content which will be included in the physical version of the game. It will also include the standard game Summer Lesson: Miyamoto Hikari Seven Days Room, aforementioned Maid cafe-related outfit and scenario and other DLC package “Second Feel”. You can see the other trailers below.

Interested PlayStation VR owners outside the region looking to purchase the game should likely look to specialised online retailers and should be sure to check with them it is the correct version they are purchasing. Particularly if they are looking for English subtitles.

VRFocus will bring you more news on the release of Summer Lesson as it becomes available.

January 23, 2017

Bandai Namco Release Two English Trailers for Summer Lesson

Originally slated a a Japanese release for PlayStation VR, Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia confirmed there would be a sub titled English language version towards the end of last year for Summer Lesson, but only for Southeast Asia in early 2017. While there’s been on further update on a western release the developer has unveiled another two trailers with English subtitles.

In the first video ‘2nd Contact’, Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia showcase’s several new interactions players will have with student Hikari Miyamoto as well as new outfits. While the second video ‘PSVR Extra Scene (Café)’ is a short look inside a cafe, alongside more clothes. Towards the end on the trailer there’s an additional sneak peak at a future update in which Miyamoto admires fireworks and blue skies in a couple of outdoor scenes.

As always VRFocus will keep you updated with all the latest details on Summer Lesson and its potential western release.

October 17, 2016

‘Summer Lesson’ on PS VR Will Get Official English Subtitle Support

Summer Lesson from Bandai Namco was one of the very first PlayStation VR titles to gain much public notoriety. In the game, you take on the role of a tutor for a teenager named Hikari Miyamoto. Details have, for the most part, been relatively scarce on the title, but a new trailer released today (shown below) officially confirms full English subtitle support when it releases in Southeast Asia early next year, according to Gematsu.

The game features a unique twist on the popular ‘dating sim‘ genre of games. Rather than simply tasking you with developing a relationship with the female character, you’re in charge of her education as well. But as you can tell from the footage and screenshots, the undertones are not purely platonic.

We’ve known these general themes all along though, as the game is clearly designed and marketed as something to fulfill a very specific niche that enjoys much more popularity in the Japanese gaming industry. But in the trailer, embedded above, we’re now getting an official glimpse at the English version of the game’s elements. Hikari is shown telling you things such as:

“We went to the pool recently, want to take a look at the photo?”

“It feels awkward to have someone besides my family in my room.”

“Isn’t this the moment where couples would hold hands?”

The majority of the game appears to take place inside Hikari’s bedroom, helping her study. On Twitter, the Game Director for the project, Katsuhiro Harada stated that Summer Lesson will be a download-only title with no retail packaging. That means players interested in getting the game somewhere other than Southeast Asia will need to create a new region-specific PSN account, since the stores are separate. It’s a common work around that people use on PlayStation 4 for purchasing and playing titles from other regions.

It probably goes without saying that Summer Lesson isn’t going to appeal to the wider Western audience, so a full release is unlikely. The sexual undertones and intimate content are likely to be off-putting in general and, in all likelihood, will be rather uncomfortable for people to experience this level of intimacy and interaction with a digital character.

But to be clear, Summer Lesson is not a VR sex game, hentai game, or even a ‘Girlfriend Simulator’ from what we have seen so far. To avoid confusion, VR Kanojo is a decidedly different game entirely, albeit quite similar visually, and could be easily confused.

That being said, a number of Japanese developers are well-known for their use of sexuality in games, such as Dead or Alive’s VR mode and many VR events. Western and Japanese audiences, and cultures, are quite different.

Summer Lesson is anticipated to release in early 2017 for PS VR.

September 13, 2016

Summer Lesson PlayStation VR Release Date & New Gameplay Scenarios Revealed

Bandai Namco Games’ Summer Lesson has been a star of the PlayStation VR’s line-up for quite some time. An intriguing title lead by Katsuhiro Harada of Tekken fame, Summer Lesson is a virtual reality (VR) experience in which the player acts as a language tutor for girls needing additional studies.

SummerLesson_130906_4

The trailer showcased at Sony Interactive Entertainment Japan’s (SCIJ) Tokyo Game Show (TGS) press conference this morning revealed a few new aspects for the videogame, including a festival environment and a new gameplay mechanic concerning the relationship built with each character, as determined by a meter (seen in the screenshot below). Further details on these and other additional scenarios are expected to follow during TGS itself later this week.

Summer Lesson has not yet been confirmed for release outside of Japan, however Harada has previously gone on record to state that he was gauging interest and, should there be enough demand, it’s wholly possible that the videogame could launch on North America and Europe.

Having previously been showcased at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), Los Angeles, in 2015, an English language version of Summer Lesson has been developed at least until the point of demonstration build. No details concerning further development of additional language versions are available at present.

SummerLesson_130906_8

In Japan, Summer Lesson is set for release on 13th October 2016, day-and-date with the PlayStation VR itself. VRFocus will keep you updated with all the latest details on Summer Lesson and its potential western release.