Video Games Deluxe – Augmented & Virtual Reality Confabulation

July 12, 2020

The VR Job Hub: RiVR, Video Games Deluxe, Gunfire Games & Harmonix

Every weekend VRFocus gathers together vacancies from across the virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) industry, in locations around the globe to help make finding that ideal job easier. Below is a selection of roles that are currently accepting applications across a number of disciplines, all within departments and companies that focus on immersive entertainment.

Location	Company	Role	Link
Southam, UK	RiVR	Senior Unity VR/AR Developer	Apply at jobs@rivr.uk
Sydney, Australia	Video Games Deluxe	Senior Gameplay Programmer	Click Here to Apply
Sydney, Australia	Video Games Deluxe	Senior Animator	Click Here to Apply
Sydney, Australia	Video Games Deluxe	Game Designer	Click Here to Apply
Austin, TX	Gunfire Games	Senior Level Designer	Click Here to Apply
Austin, TX	Gunfire Games	Senior Combat Designer	Click Here to Apply
Austin, TX	Gunfire Games	Combat Designer	Click Here to Apply
Austin, TX	Gunfire Games	Technical Designer	Click Here to Apply
Boston, MA	Harmonix	UI Artist	Click Here to Apply
Boston, MA	Harmonix	Associate Product Manager	Click Here to Apply

Don’t forget, if there wasn’t anything that took your fancy this week there’s always last week’s listings on The VR Job Hub to check as well.

If you are an employer looking for someone to fill an immersive technology related role – regardless of the industry – don’t forget you can send us the lowdown on the position and we’ll be sure to feature it in that following week’s feature. Details should be sent to Peter Graham (pgraham@vrfocus.com).

We’ll see you next week on VRFocus at the usual time of 3PM (UK) for another selection of jobs from around the world.

July 6, 2020

Rockstar Starts Production on AAA Open-world VR Title

According to the studio behind L.A. Noire: The V.R. Case Files (2017), Rockstar Games is producing a new game which promises to be a “AAA open world title in VR”.

Video Games Deluxe, a Sydney, Australia-based studio working exclusively with Rockstar, released word via LinkedIn recently, stating that the company is currently hiring staff to build the VR game.

“Having finished the critically well received L.A. Noire: The V.R. Case Files we are now gearing up for a new project, a AAA open world title in VR for Rockstar. 2020 marks our 7th year of working exclusively for Rockstar in Sydney and we are excited to taking on this ground breaking project,” the studio writes.

Video Games Deluxe worked on both the PC VR version of L.A. Noire: The V.R. Case Files and the PSVR version, which arrived on PS4 late last year.

By the sounds of it, the small studio will be expanding by a fair bit too, as it’s currently hiring for Senior Programmers, Engine Programmer, a Designer and Animator.

It’s difficult to estimate the scope of the project from just this information alone; Video Games Deluxe may be handling only a portion of the game’s development.

Whether it’s a completely new IP or a continuation of the GTA series also remains to be seen. The dedicated VR studio cut its virtual teeth on adapting the non-VR version of L.A. Noire (2011) to the medium, so it’s also possible we could be seeing a VR-adapted re-release of an extant Rockstar title such as GTA V (2013) or Red Dead Redemption.

The post Rockstar Starts Production on AAA Open-world VR Title appeared first on Road to VR.

July 6, 2020

Dev Behind L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files is Making a AAA VR Game for Rockstar

Thanks to a recent job listing on Linkedin it has come to light that Video Games Deluxe, the Australian developer behind Rockstar Games’ L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files is now working on a new virtual reality (VR) project which is set to be “a AAA open world title.”

L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files screenshot

The studio is currently looking to expand its team by hiring for a number of positions including Senior Game Play Programmer, Game Designer and Senior Animator.

Whatever the project is Video Games Deluxe is making it for Rockstar rather than its own independent title, continuing the collaboration between the two companies. “2020 marks our 7th year of working exclusively for Rockstar in Sydney and we are excited to taking on this ground breaking project,” notes the Linkedin post.

Obviously, putting Rockstar Games and “AAA open-world” in the same sentence would make anyone think of a possible Grand Theft Auto V tie-in, especially as the title is getting a new lease of life on PlayStation 5. Interestingly, the Senior Animator role does note the applicant: “will be working with characters, vehicles, weapons and general props.”

If it’s not a port of an existing videogame then Video Games Deluxe could be working on a brand new IP funded by Rockstar. In any case, no further details exist at this time.

Thanks to L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files Video Games Deluxe has shown it is adept at making VR experiences. The title originally arrived back in 2017 for HTC Vive before being ported to Oculus Rift and PlayStation VR. VRFocus gave L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files a full five-star rating in its review, saying it: “presents an unwavering argument for VR as a compelling entertainment medium, and should be welcomed as a yet another stepping stone to true presence in digital worlds.”

As further details come to light regarding Video Games Deluxe’s new VR project for Rockstar Games, VRFocus will let you know.

July 6, 2020

Rockstar ‘AAA Open World’ VR Game In Development At LA Noire VR Studio

A new Rockstar ‘AAA’ VR Game is in development if a LinkedIn listing from a VR developer is to be believed.

Sydney-based Videogames Deluxe (labeled Video Games Deluxe in the following link but credited in its games at Videogames Deluxe) last week posted an update on its profile (first spotted on Reddit), stating that the team was “gearing up for a new project, a AAA open world title in VR for Rockstar.”

Well, that’s one way to kick Monday off.

New Rockstar VR Game?

Crucially, Videogames Deluxe is the team that handled the 2017 Rockstar VR game, LA Noire: The VR Case Files on Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, along with a later port to PSVR. The team isn’t listed as the developer on the game’s Steam page, but you can clearly see the company listed first in the game’s credits in this video.

In fact, original LA Noire director Brendan McNamara maintained his role on the new version and works at the studio. The original game was developed by Team Bondi, former members of which are also with this studio.

We’ve reached out to Rockstar itself for confirmation.

Videogames Deluxe is looking for Senior Programmers, an Engine Programmer, a Designer and an Animator to work on the “ground breaking” project. No other details about the new Rockstar VR game were announced, but we’d obviously love to know if this was an all-new game or perhaps a port of one of its existing titles.

A few years ago, HTC told UploadVR that Rockstar wasn’t ‘done’ with VR, and we’ve since seen a very decent mod that brings VR support to the juggernaut hit that is Grand Theft Auto V on PC. We’ve also written about how Red Dead Redemption 2 seems like a perfect fit for a VR port. Then again, with so many Team Bondi members on the team, perhaps a VR sequel to LA Noire is on the cards.

If this is true then this could be the next big VR game to look forward to after March’s release of Half-Life: Alyx.

What do you think this new Rockstar VR game could be? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Rockstar ‘AAA Open World’ VR Game In Development At LA Noire VR Studio appeared first on UploadVR.