PlayStation VR fans of rhythm action videogames were looking forward to Kluge Interactive launching Synth Riders next week as a viable alternative tothe ever popular Beat Saber but that arrival has now been cancelled.
In a Reddit post the Synth Riders team revealed it wasn’t anything to do with development, rather unusually blaming a distribution issue. “We are very disappointed, but sadly we have had to delay the launch of Synth Riders for the PlayStation VR. It’s an unavoidable, last-minute issue with the distribution that’s outside of our control,” the statement reads. “We’re grateful for your patience as we work with Sony to resolve this, and we’ll announce a new launch date as soon as that happens.”
No further details were offered regarding what the problem concerns but its not going to be resolved quickly. The studios’ marketing director Pawel Gaida did go onto say: “We are really hoping to be able to launch in up to several weeks. This is not up to us, unfortunately. We are working with Sony on resolving this distribution issue.”
It’ll purely be a digital launch for PlayStation VR with the team adamant both North American and European versions arrive at the same time. When Synth Riders does eventually arrive for PlayStation VR it’ll feature all 55 licensed songs as well as 13 retro-future-inspired worlds to play them in. The four DLC music packs will also be available to buy feature the punk rock Adrenaline pack and Synthwave 2 Essentials featuring Muse, Gunship, and more.
The launch version will come with the four core gameplay modes “Rhythm”, “Force”, “Party”, and “Spin” but the multiplayer will take a little longer. “We will add multiplayer as a free update after the release. It is quite a difficult process to be able to launch a game with cross-play multiplayer but we are committed to getting there. It runs well on OG PS4 already! Our PSVR testers played with folks on Steam and Quest,” Gaida adds.
When a new launch date is confirmed VRFocus will let you know.
Rhythm music games Synth Riders and OhShape teamed up for a five-song music pack featuring songs from Caravan Palace.
The new pack is available separately from today in both apps featuring the five songs listed below from the French electronic band:
“Lone Digger”
“Wonderland”
“Miracle”
“Rock It For Me”
“Tattoos”
In case you are unfamiliar, OhShape and Synth Riders are both rhythm games that offer a different take on the genre from Facebook’s market leader Beat Saber. The studios behind the rhythm games have teamed up for songs in both games before but this is a fully fledged downloadable music pack partnered with a single artist. Synth Riders made an experience for the Wonderland track while OhShape offers a new stage with visuals inspired by Caravan Palace. You can check out the below preview video showing Synth Riders:
The Caravan Palace Music Pack is available for purchase separately in each game on Steam, Oculus Quest, and Viveport priced at $7.99 for the bundle or $1.99 per song. If you don’t own the games yet, there should be a week-long bundle for both on the Oculus Store offering them together at a discount of 25 percent.
Synth Riders launches on PlayStation VR headsets later this month following the addition of songs from The Offspring and Muse. Check out our interview with Kluge Interactive CEO Arturo Perez in March about the development of Synth Riders:
Will you be checking these songs out? Let us know in the comments below.
The studios behind VR rhythm games Synth Riders (2018) and OhShape (2019) today announced they’re releasing another collaborative music pack which will bring to both games the jazzy beat of French electronic band Caravan Palace. The joint music pack is slated to arrive on July 9th.
Developers Kluge Interactive and Odders Lab are again bringing a collaborative paid DLC release to their respective VR games, which is set to include five songs from Caravan Palace. Last year the studios co-released a few tracks, including ‘Carry On’ by F.O.O.L., and ‘Delight’ by Jamie Berry and Octavia Rose.
Image courtesy Odders Lab, Kluge Interactive
The studios say the music pack aims to appeal to same fans who enjoyed “Electro Swing Essentials” in Synth Riders and all the swingy songs in OhShape. Check out the full track list below:
Caravan Palace – “Lone Digger”
Caravan Palace – “Wonderland”
Caravan Palace – “Miracle”
Caravan Palace – “Rock It For Me”
Caravan Palace – “Tattoos”
The Caravan Palace music pack is set to arrive on Synth Riders with what Kluge Interactive calls “a unique audiovisual experience” for the track Wonderland, which is said to take the players for “a hypnotizing trip full of dance, mystery, and colorful mushrooms.”
Image courtesy Odders Lab, Kluge Interactive
OhShape is also getting a new stage inspired by the signature visuals of the Caravan Palace band, Odders Lab says.
In honor of the Caravan Palace music pack, the studios teamed up with mixed reality software creators LIV to organize a mixed reality contest among its users. More info on the contest is said to come at launch.
The Caravan Palace Music Pack is coming to both games on July 9th, which includes both Steam and Oculus Quest versions. Songs are priced at $2 per song or $8 for the whole bundle. In case you’ve never heard the jazzy-electro mashup, check out one of their most popular songs Lone Digger.
Kluge Interactive’s Synth Riders has been available for Oculus Quest and PC VR headsets for a while now, offering virtual reality (VR) gamers a viable alternative to the likes of Beat Saber. Today, the studio has confirmed that PlayStation VR will finally get support next month.
It may have been a long wait but that does mean PlayStation VR owners will have plenty of Synth Riders content to enjoy. The dance-style rhythm action video game comes supplied with 55 licensed songs to get you started as well as 13 retro-future-inspired worlds. If all of those tunes weren’t enough, for day one you’ll be able to buy Synth Riders’ four DLC music packs.
“Adrenaline,” featuring The Offspring, Bad Religion, and more Punk Rock legends.
“Synthwave 2 Essentials,” featuring Muse, Gunship, and more.
“Electro Swing Essentials,” featuring Parov Stelar, Jamie Berry, and more.
“Cyberpunk Essentials,” featuring songs from the Monstercat label.
Synth Riders’ thumping gameplay is all about catching orbs with your hands, following rails of long notes, avoiding walls and more, a full-body experience. And that’s before you even get to the various ways you can modify the gameplay. Two game modes “Rhythm” and “Force” have their own playstyles whilst a selection of modifiers can make each track even more challenging. If you happen to have friends over then there’s always “Party Mode” to swap the headset between you all, everyone competing via leaderboards.
And no VR rhythm action title nowadays seems to be complete without a mode that uses the entire virtual environment. Synth Riders has Spin Mode where all the notes come from various directions, literally spinning you around to keep you on your toes.
Already available on Oculus Quest, Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift and Windows Mixed Reality headsets, Synth Riders will hit PlayStation VR on 27th July 2021. VRFocus will continue its coverage of Synth Riders, reporting back with further updates.
One of the most popular and longstanding VR rhythm games, Synth Riders, is coming to PlayStation VR on July 27.
Synth Riders is a rhythm VR game that released in 2018 for PC VR, before making it’s over to Oculus Quest at the headset’s launch in mid-2019. Since then, developer Kluge Interactive has significantly expanded and updated the game with new features and content across all platforms, including multiplayer game modes, fitness-focused tracks and collaborations with other rhythm games like OhShape.
The PSVR version of the game will benefit from the past three years of content updates and DLC releases. Everything that’s been released progressively on other platforms since the game’s launch will be available immediately on PSVR, including 55 free tracks and 20 available for purchase. This includes the DLC tracks from artists like Muse and The Offspring — the latest in a string of new DLC packs that aim to bring more well-known artists to Synth Riders, no doubt to compete with rival rhythm game Beat Saber’s artist-led release strategy.
It’s been a big week for Synth Riders, with the news arriving just a few days ago that the game would receive 120Hz support on Oculus Quest 2, making it the latest game to join a growing list of titles that support the high refresh rate on Facebook’s standalone headset.
Synth Riders (2018), the VR rhythm game for PC VR and Oculus Quest, was supposed to launch on PSVR on July 27th. After a last-minute delay which could have seen the game pushed back by “several weeks,” developer Kluge Interactive now says the PSVR version’s launch will officially arrive August 10th.
Update (July 29th, 2021): Kluge Interactive has officially announced that the PSVR release of Synth Riders is coming on August 10th, 2021. You can keep tabs on its exact launch with a the game’s countdown timer here.
Update (July 22nd, 2021): A studio spokesperson took to Reddit yesterday to announce the game will be delayed, something that the studio admits may take “several weeks.”
“We are very disappointed, but sadly we have had to delay the launch of Synth Riders for the PlayStation VR. It’s an unavoidable, last-minute issue with the distribution that’s outside of our control,” the studio says. “We’re grateful for your patience as we work with Sony to resolve this, and we’ll announce a new launch date as soon as that happens.”
We’ll update this piece with the new launch date when it’s announced. The original article announcing PSVR’s launch (including all DLC) follows below:
Original Article (June 30th, 2021): First launched on PC VR headsets back in 2018, Synth Riders is billed as a “freestyle dancing VR rhythm game” that gets you moving by launching orbs that you have to ‘catch’ with your hands. You have to catch notes, ride rails, and dodge obstacles, which should get your heart pumping as you play to music genres such as synthwave, electro swing, EDM, and punk rock.
The game is launching on PSVR with two different game modes: catching notes in ‘Rhythm Mode’, and punching notes in ‘Force Mode’ for a tougher workout. It doesn’t appear multiplayer will arrive at launch, as the studio has only mentioned a local ‘Party Mode’ for the PSVR version, which lets you pass the headset around to other people in the room.
Like the PC VR and Quest versions, tracks feature five difficulty levels and plenty of modifiers to change things up like ‘Spin Mode’, which makes note appear from different directions.
Here’s Kluge Interactive’s full list of main features coming to the PSVR version of Synth Riders:
Free your style with 55 diverse songs.
Get add-ons featuring Muse and The Offspring, and more.
Master your skills and climb the leaderboards.
Remix your gameplay with a wide selection of modifiers.
Explore 10+ immersive environments.
Pass the headset for fun in Party mode.
Have a great workout in the process.
Paid Music Packs include:
Adrenaline featuring The Offspring, Bad Religion, and more Punk Rock legends.
Synthwave 2 Essentials featuring Muse, Gunship, and more.
Electro Swing Essentials featuring Parov Stelar, Jamie Berry, and more.
Cyberpunk Essentials featuring songs from the Monstercat label.
A new update for Synth Riders adds new content, updates visuals and adds 120Hz support for Oculus Quest 2.
The “Out of this World” update is here!
New "Eclipse" stage for Spin Mode Reimagined "Spin City" stage Enhanced Multiplayer room New Oculus Avatars (on Quest & Rift) 120hz mode on Quest 2 Better visuals on all platforms And more!
According to a tweet from the Synth Riders account, this new update adds an “Eclipse” stage for Spin Mode, as well as a re-imagined version of the existing “Spin City” stage. There’s also now an “enhanced multiplayer room” and implementation of the new Oculus avatars for those playing on Quest and Rift. The tweet also says the update includes “better visuals on all platforms,” but doesn’t specify exactly what visual upgrades to expect.
For Synth Riders players using a Quest 2, there’s something else to look forward to in the update as well — 120Hz support is now available in Synth Riders. The Quest 2 launched with support for just 72Hz — the same refresh rate as the original Quest. Towards the end of last year, an updated added 90Hz as an option as well, which was followed by support for an even higher 120Hz as an experiemental feature earlier this year.
It’s Mental Health Awareness Week here in the UK with many struggling with being stuck at home, unable to see friends and family. Whilst lockdown restrictions are slowly being rolled back that doesn’t mean everyone’s wellbeing instantly improves overnight. There are various ways to improve your mental health and virtual reality (VR) can be part of that process, from exploring the great outdoors to engaging in some light fitness. So here are a few recommendations for when those stress levels begin to rise.
While you should get out for the odd walk when (and if) you can, there are plenty of studies that highlight the fact that even doing some light exercise can help lift your mood. And this doesn’t need to be intensive workout sessions as long as you’re moving. Naturally, the more often you do exercise, and for longer periods, the greater the effect.
The UK’s Mental Health Foundation also highlights the positive attributes of getting closer to nature, finding that “More than half of UK adults saying being close to nature improved their mental health.” You might not think VR and nature go hand-in-hand but they definitely do if you know where to look.
Tackling fatigue, stress or anxiety with VR
Guided Tai Chi
Perfect as a form of exercise as well as being able to refresh your mind and spirit, Guided Tai Chi provides over 200 workouts, allowing you to select 20 scenic locations and the music to go with each session. These can range from a quick 3-minute warm-up all the way up to 60-minute Tai Chi endurance marathons. On Oculus Quest you even have the ability to use hand tracking for a more natural experience.
Ecosphere
An interactive collection of 360-degree videos, Ecosphereis a nature documentary series. Featuring content from the jungles of Borneo to the rich coral reefs of Raja Ampat, viewers will be able to see a diverse selection of wildlife created in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
Beat Saber
A rhythm-action videogame every VR player knows and has probably played, Beat Sabercan help you work up a sweat on its expert difficulty levels. With its simple yet addictive gameplay Beat Saber is easy to zone into and forget about the outside world, slicing and dicing coloured blocks to your heart’s content. There are even multiplayer and 360-degree modes when you really want to turn things up a notch.
Nature Treks VR
Keeping with the nature theme, Nature Treks VR is just what you want to explore the great outdoors in VR. Get up close with 20 different animals across a range of environments where you can control the weather and time of day, activate audio visualizations and more. Music plays over each scene of you can turn it off to hear the soothing sounds of nature.
Synth Riders
Another rhythm-action title to help get the blood pumping and loosen those muscles is Synth Riders. Rather than all the hectic slashing of Beat Saber, Synth Riders is a fluid, orb matching experience that helps to stretch your body to a variety of music, from synth-wave through to Muse. The videogame also features a 360° Spin Mode and a cross-platform multiplayer for up to 10 people because it’s nice to get a few mates involved.
Tripp
An award-winning meditation app, Tripp offers 40+ meditative experiences with a mobile app to help personalise and track your Tripp’s. “TRIPP uniquely integrates game play mechanics, breathing exercises, beautiful visual landscapes and sound frequencies. Based on scientific research and used in several clinical studies.” So get comfy on the sofa and enjoy a relaxing journey in VR.
Wander
As you might expect from an app called Wander, this is all about travelling the world and being able to visit locations like the gardens of the Taj Mahal or the Great Pyramids of Egypt. Using data from Google StreetView, you can navigate around using voice controls as well as other input methods. Plus, if you want to learn something along the way Wander features Wikipedia integration.
Where Thoughts Go
A very existential, award-winning social experience, Where Thoughts Gois the work of indie developer Lucas Rizzotto. It lets you uncover the dreams, fears and secrets of other players by waking up creatures – and also leave your own for others to find. Unusual and highly thought-provoking,“These anonymous stories are revealing and inspiring, encouraging reflection and introspection,” explains the synopsis. “Participants have no way to discern who they are hearing from, only how considerate and sensitive each and every person is.”
Real VR Fishing
Time for more VR videogame fun. Fishing has always been considered one of those relaxing, Sunday afternoon past times and with Real VR Fishing, every day can be Sunday. Designed as a realistic fishing simulation, you can head to real-world fishing locations to cast off and see if you can get a bite, on your own or with friends. You’ve got your own aquarium to put the fish you’ve caught in and there’s even a web browsing option so you can pull up YouTube and listen to some tunes out on the water.
National Geographic Explore VR
Last on the list is National Geographic Explore VR an interactive experience where you can explore two locations, Antarctica and Machu Picchu, Peru. In the frozen wastes of the southern continent, you can kayak around icebergs and search for a lost emperor penguin colony. While in Peru wander through digital reconstructions of the ancient Inca citadel, encounter alpacas and take photos of your journey.
Synth Riders may have started out with synthwave and other electronic tracks but developer Kluge Interactive has been branching out of late. January saw the addition of alternative rock band Muse while today see’s the release of the ‘Adrenaline’ music pack, adding some classic punk rock in the process.
The fourth music pack for the rhythm-action videogame, ‘Adrenaline’ includes the likes of Come Out And Play by Californian punk rock legends The Offspring alongside tracks from Bad Religion, Rancid and The Interrupters. Just like Synthwave Essentials 2 had a unique visual experience for Muse’s Algorithm, today’s music pack also features one for The Offspring song.
“Where the experience for Muse’s “Algorithm” was set on a grand scale, made to match that epic song, this time I wanted to take players on a different ride! It’s filled with visuals that drew from my experience as a skater in my teens – I wanted to recreate that rush, that feeling of speed and freedom, and was inspired by the raw energy of this track by The Offspring!,” said Abraham Aguero Benzecri, Kluge Interactive’s Creative Director, in a statement.
The ‘Adrenaline’ music pack will be split as follows:
The paid DLC consists of five songs:
The Offspring – “Come Out And Play”
The Offspring – “Self Esteem”
Bad Religion – “21st Century (Digital Boy)”
Rancid – “Time Bomb”
The Interrupters – “Gave You Everything”
Three more songs are rolling out for free:
Pennywise – “Never Gonna Die”
Too Close To Touch – “Hard To Love”
Plague Vendor – “New Comedown”
The free songs will appear in an update whereas the paid DLC tracks individually retail for $1.99 USD, or can be purchased as a bundle with a 20% discount. These new additions mean Synth Riders now features 55 free and 20 DLC songs, all of which are compatible with the multiplayer and 360° Spin modes.
Supporting Oculus Quest, Oculus Rift (cross-buy supported on Oculus Store), HTC Vive and Valve Index, if you own an Oculus Quest then Synth Riders has a free demo via the App Lab for new players to try. For continued updates on the energetic title, keep reading VRFocus.
Synth Riders is releasing a new punk-themed song pack titled the ‘Adrenaline’ pack including tracks from The Offspring, Bad Religion and more.
The DLC will release next week on March 25 and includes 5 paid tracks and 3 free ones. Here’s the full tracklist:
Paid tracks:
“Come Out And Play” – The Offspring
“Self Esteem” – The Offspring
“21st Century (Digital Boy)” – Bad Religion
“Time Bomb” – Rancid
“Gave You Everything” – The Interrupters
Free tracks:
“Never Gonna Die” – Pennywise
“Hard To Love” – Too Close To Touch
“New Comedown” – Plague Vendor
Each song will be priced individually at $1.99, or available in a 5-track bundle for a 20 percent discount. The pack will be available on multiple platforms, including Steam, Viveport and on the Oculus Store with cross-buy between Quest and Rift.
Additionally, Come Out And Play will “come with a unique visual ‘Experience’ inspired by and perfectly blended with the music.” You can see a screenshot of the experience embedded above.
We spoke to Arturo Perez, CEO of Synth Riders developers Kluge Interactive, to get some details about the upcoming DLC pack and others plans for the future. You can check it out in the video embedded above.