‘Space Junkies’ Now Supports Move Controllers on PSVR

Ubisoft recently pushed an update to the PSVR version of Space Junkies (2019), the zero-g arena shooter, that finally brings PS Move support to the game.

Launched simultaneously on the PlayStation Store, Steam, and the Oculus Store back in March, Space Junkies boasts support for all major tethered VR headsets. However its launch on PSVR left something to be desired, as PSVR users were relegated to using the DualShock 4 gamepad while players on Vive and Rift made full use of their respective motion controllers.

Initially, launching the PSVR version with gamepad-only controls was done out of necessity—Move’s inherent lack of thumbsticks or large enough touchpad would make quick, accurate control of the player a much harder prospect. To keep PSVR users competitive (Ubisoft is couching Space Junkies as a budding eSport), the studio made the compromise to leave out Move support at launch.

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In a new video (linked blow), Ubisoft Montpellier’s Adrian Lace explains some the changes that have come now that PS Move is supported. Lace says PSVR users can now do a number of movements once only possible on Vive/Rift, including grabbing your sword or shield by reaching to your shoulder, and locomoting left and right by pressing either ‘triangle’ or ‘square’ to rotate smoothly.

While having to use PS Move’s tiny buttons for fine control is admittedly not ideal, it at least now gives users an extra dose of immersion as they can now shoot guns using their own two hands—and to say the least—use the game’s smartwatch-style UI. You can check out the video below.

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Ubisoft’s Multiplayer Arcade Shooter ‘Space Junkies’ Is Heading into Closed Beta in Early 2018

Ubisoft today announced that Space Junkies, the multiplayer arcade VR shooter, is going into closed beta in early 2018. We got a chance to go hands-on with a more developed prototype of the game at this year’s Oculus Connect, and while many of the basics haven’t changed much from our time with it at E3, it’s certainly shaping up to be a fuller experience with more crazy guns and at least 4 giant arena-sized maps for the closed beta.

In a 2v2 team deathmatch, I got a chance to see what a real battle feels like in Space Junkies, as the last time we played it was in a more demure setting with only the developers to shoot down. True to its main selling point, the match was fast-paced and featured a mad grab for the most powerful guns which float in predetermined spots in the zero-G map.

image courtesy Ubisoft

I also got a chance to play a free-for-all deathmatch, which took place in the same sprawling, meteor-encrusted mining facility as the earlier prototype, but according to Ubisoft, the map had been expanded further to give the players more hiding spots and cover from incoming fire.

Guns are greatly varied, some of them requiring two hands to pump or fire. You start out with a whimpy pistol on your hip, but you can wait for the random gun generator to give you something better before you spawn on the map. Guns like rocket launchers, OP lasers, and Gatling guns predictably take a long time to reload and charge up, but pretty much do major damage.

image courtesy Ubisoft

There’s also a light sword and shield that you can carry, but unlike the earlier version of the game, the sword was no longer able to deflect gun blasts. I would have loved to have played a swords-only match to see just how reliable the weapon is when faced with another sword-wielding player, but alas, I’ll have to wait until the closed beta takes effect in a few months to see if anyone will agree to a momentary cease fire.

Despite being on the same horizontal plane as the rest of the combatants, having the full 3 dimensions at your disposal creates an interesting dynamic, as you can never tell where the shots will come from next. As long as you’re not boosting around and going normal speed, you’ll be undetectable to the opposite team, meaning combat may evolve into a less intense hide-and-seek match of popping out behind cover and quickly retreating to safety instead of going to the center with guns a’blazing.

You can register for the closed beta here. Ubisoft says they’re aiming for a spring 2018 release on Oculus Rift+Touch, HTC Vive, and Windows VR headsets.

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