SynaptixGames – Augmented & Virtual Reality Confabulation

June 19, 2018

Three Colorado Companies Are Working Together To Map Mars

Three companies in the Colorado area have announced they are teaming together to form the “Dream Team” on a project map out Mars and delver the result within virtual reality (VR). The team is made up of SynaptixGames, AeroScout, and Georanger, all of which established this unique partnership that combines their respective skills in geospatial intelligence, 3D mapping with drones, and VR gaming and simulations with the same goal in mind, Mars.

MarsVR

Before the team can start mapping Mars and putting it into VR they need to start their work on Earth, at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), only 160 miles went of Grand Junction, CO in the Utah desert. The MDRS is a project created by the Robert Zubrin, engineer and founder of the Mars Society. MDRS is a full-scale, two-story Mars habitat where scientists work all year round to conduct experiments in the same fashion as they would be carried out on the surface of Mars, once a base is established there. Participants even wear simulated EVA suits when working outside the habitat, to further enhance the data that is being gathered at the site.

The MarsVR project, as the team are calling it, will take advantage of cutting edge technology to map the Utah desert surrounding that of the MDRS. Once mapped, this data will be used to re-create the entire environment, including the habitat and other on site facilities, in VR. This initial stage of the project will be a key step towards mapping Mars as it will train the teams that are scheduled to work at the MDRS.

MarsVR Project

From here, the team will use similar technology to allow virtual exploration of Mars. The project will make use of data from existing Mars missions in order to build the digital recreation of the planet for user to explore within immersive VR. Once more, everything that is generated by the project will be made available to the public as open source material, allowing the general population to experience the MDRS and explore Mars.

As the team continue to work on the project, VRFocus will be sure to bring you all the latest in the future, so stay tuned for more.

February 10, 2018

SynaptixGames Studio Director Robert Madsen Talks About VR Development In New Interview

We’ve been covering SynaptixGames and their virtual reality (VR) videogame Day of Destruction for a while now. The studio show incredible promise for VR development, and now in a new interview, Studio Director Robert Madsen has spoken about the studio and their investment in VR development.

Speaking to the Entertainment Software Associastion (ESA), Robert Madsen shares stories about himself and his experience in the videogame industry, before talking about SynaptixGames, Day of Destruction, and VR development.

Day of Destruction - Screenshot

Speaking about the studio SynaptixGames, Madsen states; “I founded SynaptixGames in 2011 and, as a contract game studio, we have written games for just about every platform out there, including mobile, web-based platforms, PC-based platforms, and consoles. VR is the latest and greatest thing we’ve been tackling.”

Madsen goes on to talk about VR, and how the studio adapted quickly to the technology to get ahead of the curve; “When we have clients that are coming to us with their ideas, they tend to ask for a specific type of experience on whatever the new thing is. About three years ago, we saw VR coming as the next big thing, so even before we had clients asking for VR we had already dove in. We started with Gear VR and started making our first game on that, and since then, we have had clients coming to us for VR projects. It was kind of a serendipitous thing because we had the experience and were taking clients who needed VR applications. Over the last three years we’ve created games for the Gear VR, Google Cardboard, Oculus Rift, and HTC Vive.”

Madsen also talks about the recent Day of Destruction, saying; “When we got our hands on our first Gear VR Innovator Edition about three years ago, there was a contest and we decided to use that as an impetus to get started. We actually created the first prototype of Day of Destruction on the Samsung Gear VR in about four weeks and submitted it for the contest. Since then, we’ve been continuously working on it, keeping in mind that our own projects can’t interfere with our contract projects. So, we spent about 20 percent of our time working on Day of Destruction over the last three years. Ultimately, we decided, because of the visual quality that we wanted, we would continue to develop the game on higher-end systems like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.”

VRFocus reviewed Day of Destruction, saying; “Day of Destruction certainly doesn’t wow in the graphics department – there are far better looking virtual reality (VR) titles – but it doesn’t need to. It has that B-movie quality that just works, and the in game audio (especially the music) is top notch. That’s why it’s a shame there isn’t more to the gameplay.”

You can read the full interview right here. SynpatixGames are sure to release more VR projects and videogames in the near future, and you’ll be able to read about them all right here on VRFocus.

January 22, 2018

SynaptixGames Confirm Day of Destruction Coming to Oculus Rift Next, PlayStation VR Later

Last week SynaptixGames released its first virtual reality (VR) title, Day of Destruction for HTC Vive. Today, the studio has confirmed to VRFocus that it plans on expanding support to Oculus Rift first before bring the title to PlayStation VR and Windows Mixed Reality further into the future.

Day_of_Destruction-screenshot-1

In an email, Robert Madsen, Studio Director at SynaptixGames said: “We already have the game running on the Oculus, but we decided to launch on one piece of hardware at a time so we can fully support each release. That being said, Oculus is next. I can’t give you an exact date because we want to ensure that the Vive launch is smooth before proceeding.” He then added: “Next, our intention is to publish to the Windows MR and PlayStation VR, but which comes first is a little unclear [sic].”

If you’ve not been following VRFocus’ coverage of Day of Destruction the videogame is all about unleashing global destruction. Rather than p[laying a race trying to save its planet, instead you’re the invader, flying down in a massive UFO to level cities around the world.

There are six planets to conquer, each with four cities to raise to the ground. As you complete each level you’ll unlock credits to expand your destructive capabilities, gaining access ground-based walkers, aerial vehicles, cluster bombs, tractor beams and more. Naturally, as you progress through the single-player campaign and unlock these weapons, each cities forces become more difficult to penetrate, with gun emplacements, hostile fighter jets and more all trying to take you down.

Day_of_Destruction-screenshot-6

Currently Day of Destruction is available through Steam for HTC Vive with a limited time discount. For a few more hours you can get a 20 percent discount on the expeirence, dropping the price from £11.39 GBP, down to £9.11.

When SynaptixGames confirm a launch date for the Oculus Rift version and in which order the other platforms will see support, VRFocus will let you know.

January 19, 2018

Review: Day of Destruction

Love them or hate them sci-fi B-movies have that special place in cinematic history where they’re remembered for how bad they are, poor acting, rubbish effects, dodgy sound and more. Yet they offer a form of entertainment that wears its heart on its sleeve, becoming cult classics that almost become better with age. The same can be said for videogames, offering a less rounded experience than others, but having that addictive quality just the same – one of those titles that becomes a guilty pleasure. SynaptixGames’ Day of Destruction starts out being all of these things, along the way however it begins to lose that sparkle.

Day of Destruction screenshot 2

Day of Destruction certainly feels like a sci-fi homage to some of the best known movies, pooling ideas from the likes of War of the Worlds and Independence Day. Yet SynaptixGames has taken a somewhat different approach to the alien invasion theme, so rather than you saving the day – and the world – you’re the invader, coming to wreak havoc on unsuspecting planets.

First impressions can be everything, with Day of Destruction starting with a big grandiose entrance involving a basic looking UFO and a very impressive musical score. In fact it’s the music that holds the entire piece together as you board the ship because there’s literally no information about what’s going on, you just have to roll with it.

Aboard the ship you’ll find the main hub where you can choose from six planets to attack, each with four cities to destroy. There’s also a section to unlock certain armaments once you’ve accrued enough credits, and a teleportation system in place to wander around the small area, which doesn’t seem entirely necessary due to how little time is spent there.

Day of Destruction screenshot 4

What this videogame is all about is destruction, laying waste to cities with ridiculous weapons, finishing each level with a maniacal laugh. To begin with this can be fun, firing laser bolts and dropping cluster bombs from the safety of your UFO. Gameplay involves levelling a selection of buildings, mainly skyscrapers, some with offensive weaponry while others are just dormant. Finishing a level involves wiping a particular selection of these buildings out once you’ve highlighted them with a search light.

You’ll get shot at with ground base defences and aircraft, then as the campaign progresses you’ll encounter slightly more difficult forces. The ship isn’t impervious, so take enough damage and you’ll eventually get shot down.

After a few levels Day of Destruction hits a make or break point. The videogame becomes very repetitious due to the issue of constantly destroying buildings. The UFO itself can’t be controlled – it moves around a city on a pre-designated track – so you spend 90 percent of the time looking down. The hook to keep you playing comes from the upgrades, being able to activate lock-on missiles for the planes, a tractor beam to fling things around, dropping ground forces that look like the massive bi-pedal enemies from War of the Worlds or finally being able to unlock the expensive city scale weapons.

Day of Destruction screenshot 1

Day of Destruction certainly doesn’t wow in the graphics department – there are far better looking virtual reality (VR) titles – but it doesn’t need to. It has that B-movie quality that just works, and the in game audio (especially the music) is top notch. That’s why it’s a shame there isn’t more to the gameplay. Sure you can go back with the better weapons to jump you up the global leader boards, other than that there’s little to hold your interest. Day of Destruction certainly isn’t one of those must have VR titles, it’s a blast for a while until every city starts to look the same.

60%

Awesome

Verdict

January 17, 2018

Bring Doom to the Earth in Day of Destruction

Embrace your inner alien and rise as the destroyer of cities; conqueror of galaxies. Empower yourself with alien technology as you can on the feeble powers of the human race and bring destruction to the Earth, plus many other planets in Day of Destruction, now available for HTC Vive.

Day of Destruction header

The planet’s communication systems have received atmospheric interference from a number of enormous objects heading towards their solar system. The inhabitants are aware something is happening, and are waiting for your arrival. You however, do not have good intentions.

Day of Destruction is a chaotic destroy-a-thon in which the player must bring ruin to many cities across six different planets. As you progress, you’ll unlock new alien weapons and UFOs to rein chaos in unique ways; all in VR. Day of Destruction features Steam Achievements and Leaderboards to allow for you to demonstrate your competitive edge.

Day of Destruction is not only SynaptixGames’ first virtual reality (VR) videogame, but in fact the first title the studio has published on Steam. SynaptixGames is a contract software development firm founded in Colorado in 2010, with experience developing on mobile, desktop, and web platforms, as well as VR projects for the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Samsung Gear VR, OSVR, Google Cardboard and Microsoft HoloLens. The developer is offering the debut of its own original IP in Day of Destruction, and reportedly has plans for projects for the Google DayDream, PlayStation VR, and Microsoft MR head-mounted displays (HMDs).

Originally intended for release late last year, SynaptixGames revealed to VRFocus earlier this month that Day of Destruction would launch in January 2018. Now, that day has come, and Day of Destruction is available to download via Steam for HTC Vive. A launch discount of 20% is available, bringing the price down from £11.39 GBP to £9.11 until 23rd January 2018.

Day of Destruction screenshot 5

An Oculus Rift edition of Day of Destruction was expected to launch alongside the HTC Vive version, though the official Steam store page for the videogame makes no mention of any compatibility. VRFocus has contacted SynaptixGames for clarification on this matter, and will update with any further details.

January 17, 2018

Bring Doom to the Earth in Day of Destruction

Day of Destruction header

Day of Destruction screenshot 5

January 5, 2018

The Day of Destruction Approaches in VR

In July last year, SynaptixGames announced a virtual reality (VR) videogame for multiple formats, Day of Destruction, developed by Grand Junction. Six months later the title is now preparing for launch on Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.

Day of Destruction is inspired by the 1996 motion-picture, Independence Day. The twist however, is that you play as the aliens hell-bent on bringing destruction to the Earth. Playing as the invaders, VR users will have the opportunity to bring destruction to 24 cities on six different planets, unlocking new technologies and UFO craft as they progress.

Day of Destruction was originally intended to launch in summer 2017, however a considerable delay left us with no further information. Now the videogame has resurfaced with a suggested ‘early January 2018’ release date. The official website for Day of Destruction offers an introduction to the storyline of the videogame, proposing a possible release date also. The excerpt follows below, verbatim:

“January 8, 2018: Communications systems in the solar system ahead are disrupted by interference from your armada. They know you are coming! Rise to the challenge and vanquish entire civilizations. Empower yourself with alien technology as you unlock new weapons and more powerful ships. Follow your destiny on the Day of Destruction!”

The teaser trailer for Day of Destruction, embedded below, showcases footage that acts as a homage to the aforementioned Independence Day motion-picture, with UFO slowly flying into position above a variety of different cities. However, not seen in the trailer is the proposed ‘mass scale destruction system’ set to feature in the videogame. Day of Destruction will also include universal leaderboards and Steam Achievements upon release.

Day of Destruction has reportedly been in development for two-and-a-half-years, and is set to launch via Steam later this month, compatible with both Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. There’s currently no word on the previously announced Samsung Gear VR edition, nor the proposed OSVR compatibility.

Keep an eye on Steam on 8th January 2018, to see if that fateful day where the end of the Earth is in your hands arrives. VRFocus will keep you updated with all the latest details on Day of Destruction and other VR titles from SynaptixGames and Grand Junction.

July 5, 2017

Forget Saving the Planet, Become the Alien Invader in Day of Destruction

Ever watched an alien invasion film like Independence Day and rooted for the attacking force? Well that’s exactly the scenario SynaptixGames has chosen for its first virtual reality (VR) title Day of Destruction.

Due for launch this summer on HTC Vive, OSVR, Oculus Rift and Gear VR, Day of Destruction is all about wreaking chaos on entire planetary civilisations with a space armada.

Day of Destruction screenshot 3

With 24 cities across six planets to wipe out, players will be able to unlock a range of deadly alien technology to aid them on their assault. So while they can release UFO’s to destroy buildings, players can also get stuck in directly, laying waste however they choose with several hand held weapons.

All the environments are fully destructible no matter the size of building, and the more you shred to pieces the more toys you can unlock to mix up the gameplay. Plus there’s a global leaderboard to challenge other players.

Checkout the first gameplay trailer for Day of Destruction below, and for any further updates keep reading VRFocus.