The VR Concept Game Jam – Augmented & Virtual Reality Confabulation

February 21, 2017

The VR Concept Game Jam: Making Multiplayer VR

Earlier this month VRFocus held a virtual reality (VR) game jam in collaboration with The VR Concept. The VR Concept Game Jam, took place at The Four Thieves pub in Battersea, UK, focused on making a unique multiplayer VR project in just 24 hours. If you missed the previous coverage VRFocus has created a round up video featuring all the best bits.

Over the course of the 24 hours, the teams discuss the highs and lows of developing a multiplayer VR experience in such a short space of time. From what to include and what to throw away, to optimisation for a smooth experience.

Checkout the previous videos for a more in depth look at the game jam, with ‘Meet the Owners‘ talking to The VR Concept about its VR goals and ‘Works in Progress‘, which sat down with the competing teams.

With the winning concept due to be rolled out to Laine’s public houses across London and Brighton, VRFocus will keep you updated on this progress.

February 7, 2017

The Concept VR Game Jam: The Closing Hours

24 hour game jams are never easy, but it’s in the final hours that the real test begins. The concept has been evolved into an experience, the gameplay mechanics solidified and the issues have been overcome. For the most part, at least. Now it’s the time for fine tuning and, inevitably, fixing all those bugs.

Here at VRFocus Presents The Concept VR Game Jam, that’s exactly what’s happening. The participants are wrapping up their works and preparing to have other attendees enter their virtual worlds. After a muted few hours the volume rises as a mad dash for the home straight begins. Will fixing that bug work? Will something new an unexpected rear its head? Do you wish you hadn’t attempted to get an hour’s sleep? Or do you feel fresh and reinvigorated for the final hurdles? Check out the video below to see exactly how the participants at The Concept VR Game Jam are tackling all of these issues.

February 6, 2017

The VR Concept Game Jam: Works in Progress

Today saw the start of the VRFocus Presents The VR Concept Game Jam, a 24-hour event in which teams of developers are challenged to create a unique multiplayer virtual reality (VR) experience. To offer our readers a quick insight into the event, VRFocus sat down with the teams to see just how their efforts were panning out.

As is often the case at game jams, each of the participants offered an interesting insight into just what it means to be involved in the speed run videogame development that these events are.

Furthermore, in the video below you can get a taste of just what some of the participants are working on, with some interesting concepts revealed while the work is on-going.

Of course, VRFocus is present at the event and will keep you updated with each of the participants, and their work in VR development, as The VR Concept Game Jam continues.

February 6, 2017

The VR Concept Game Jam: Meet The Owners

One of the early criticisms of virtual reality (VR) was that it would be an isolating experience and not a social one, but that’s not the case. In fact there are those out there that think VR can be not just a social experience among friends in the home but part of a much bigger night out. VRFocus is currently in London, holding a game jam in Clapham’s Four Thieves public house. But The Four Thieves is not just a regular pub, it is also the home of The VR Concept, a group looking to bring VR experiences to those on a night out.

We spoke to the team about their goals, how they’re bringing VR to a new audience and giving both the competitiveness of multiplayer with friends and the experience of a trip to the arcade a new twist. One they’re hoping to expand beyond their current location with new experiences – potentially including that being developed today by those in attendance at The VR Concept Game Jam.

VRFocus will be bringing you more updates throughout the next 24 hours of the stories behind the game jam and how the game is developing.