Category: XR Games

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The Angry Birds Movie 2 VR: Under Pressure Lands on PlayStation VR in Two Weeks

Angry Birds fans have been inundated this year with the release of Angry Birds VR: Isle of Pigs and Angry Birds AR: Isle of Pigs, with The Angry Birds Movie 2 coming out next month. To coincide with the movie The Angry Birds Movie 2 VR: Under Pressure now has a confirmed released date for PlayStation VR.

The Angry Birds Movie 2 VR: Under Pressure

Being developed by XR Games, The Angry Birds Movie 2 VR: Under Pressure is all about local gameplay using the PlayStation VR social screen. The studio wants the title to be a great introduction to virtual reality (VR) entertainment whilst helping: “existing VR players to evangelize their technology to the people around them,” says Richard Boon, Senior Game Designer, XR Games on PlayStation Blog.

Designed as a couch co-op videogame, one player is in VR while three others use the TV and controllers. This time the action takes place under the sea, in a submarine in fact, with VR player as captain of the submarine. All the TV players are the crew, controlling characters such as Red, Chuck, and new Angry Bird ‘Silver’, tasked with doing repairs, crafting torpedoes and storing treasure.

Explaining more about the gameplay, Boon reveals: “The captain monitors event [sic] and grabs as much treasure as possible from the ocean, which the crew then store in the sub. [The VR player] has a gameplay tool called the Magnashot, which is a classic Angry Birds slingshot with a magnet in it. It can suck stuff up and throw it back out – including the crew players. This gives the captain a lot of power. But there are things that only the crew can do, such as load machines and move explosive crates.”

The Angry Birds Movie 2 VR: Under Pressure

As a social videogame The Angry Birds Movie 2 VR: Under Pressure is all about communication, which can get hectic when four people are likely to be shouting. But this is a slapstick style videogame, created to be fun rather than stressful.

Rovio Entertainment and XR Games will be releasing The Angry Birds Movie 2 VR: Under Pressure exclusively for PlayStation VR on Tuesday, 6th August 2019. For any further updates ahead of launch, keep reading VRFocus.

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The VR Job Hub: XR Games, Survios & Redpill VR

It’s the start of one of the most exciting weeks of the year and it’s not even Christmas, yes the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2019 will be starting in a couple of days. If you’re not heading down to the event but are keen on entering the VR space – or moving across it – then some of these jobs may well be worth a gander.

Location Company Role Link
Los Angeles, CA Redpill VR Technical Director Click Here to Apply
Los Angeles, CA Redpill VR Senior Gameplay Programmer Click Here to Apply
Los Angeles, CA Redpill VR Senior Environment Artist Click Here to Apply
Los Angeles, CA Redpill VR Technical Designer Click Here to Apply
Los Angeles, CA Redpill VR Senior Artist Click Here to Apply
Los Angeles, CA Redpill VR UI Artist Click Here to Apply
Los Angeles, CA Redpill VR Audio Programmer Click Here to Apply
Los Angeles, CA Survios Full Stack Engineer Click Here to Apply
Los Angeles, CA Survios Lead Gameplay Engineer – Unreal Engine 4 Click Here to Apply
Los Angeles, CA Survios Software Engineer – Network & Backend Systems Click Here to Apply
Los Angeles, CA Survios Data Scientist Click Here to Apply
Leeds, UK XR Games Senior Unity Developer Click Here to Apply
Leeds, UK XR Games Experienced Unity Developer Click Here to Apply
Leeds, UK XR Games Producer Click Here to Apply
Leeds, UK XR Games 3D Generalist 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.

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The Angry Birds Movie 2 VR: Under Pressure to be a Summer Release for PlayStation VR

Rovio Entertainment’s massive videogame franchise shows no signs of slowing down, with even more virtual reality (VR) content planned. With The Angry Birds Movie 2 due for release in August, Sony Pictures Virtual Reality, Rovio and XR Games have announced a VR tie-in, The Angry Birds Movie 2 VR: Under Pressure, exclusive to PlayStation VR.

The Angry Birds Movie 2 VR: Under Pressure

The VR title will be a local social experience leveraging PlayStation VR’s social screen feature. A couch co-op videogame, one player is in VR while three others use the TV. This time, however, there won’t be any buildings to destroy or green pigs to attack.

Following the theme of the movie, in The Angry Birds Movie 2 VR: Under Pressure players find themselves inside a submarine working alongside the pigs for the very first time. The story goes that Red and the birds set aside their differences with Leonard and the pigs because of a new shared new feathered foe that threatens to destroy both of their islands.

Gameplay revolves are the VR player taking on the role of Leonard, the submarine’s captain, with everyone else controlling the sub’s crew, including Red, Chuck, and new movie character Silver.

“We wanted a console VR game that could replicate the humour and action of The Angry Birds Movie 2 and take players inside the narrative of the new movie, where the birds and pigs have to set aside their differences and actually work together. XR Games, with support from Rovio and Sony Pictures, are creating a genre-defining VR game that will keep the entire family laughing and playing together,” said Joe Lawson, Head of Entertainment Content and Movie Program at Rovio Entertainment in a statement.

The Angry Birds Movie 2 VR: Under Pressure

“VR is an exciting medium, but there are not yet enough games that can be enjoyed with family and friends in the real world,” said Bobby Thandi, Founder and CEO at XR Games. “We saw an opportunity to introduce new players to PS VR by making a game in which VR and TV players have different viewpoints and responsibilities within the same funny, team-spirited game. Rovio’s Angry Birds IP, Sony Pictures ‘The Angry Birds Movie 2’ film, and PlayStation VR’s Social Screen feature all combine to give the perfect shared VR experience in your home. We’re super-excited to launch our game alongside the film’s release this summer!”

The film is scheduled for release on 2nd August 2019 in the UK. When a precise date for the videogame is revealed, VRFocus will let you know.

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All-Star Fruit Racing VR Goes Mobile Today

Having secured investment in January as well as welcoming videogame veteran Jane Whittaker to its board, XR Games has today announced its first virtual reality (VR) title in the form of All-Star Fruit Racing VR for mobile devices.

All Star Fruit Racing VR

Inspired by classic karting titles like Mario Kart, All-Star Fruit Racing VR has been designed as an instantly accessible mobile VR experience. Players will be able to race through fruit-filled courses, smash fruit, drift round corners and tear up the tracks to compete in the online leaderboards, looking to squeeze every last second from their performance.

Custom engineered for cardboard VR headsets, all players need to do is look where they want to go, no controller needed. The system even allows for drifting around corners, avoiding fruit hazards, collecting Pipcoins and fruit shooting a way to a personal best high score.

Each level has short, quick-fire track challenges to improve that score, with hazards, boosts, jumps and multiple routes to explore in Tangerain Forest, lush Watermelon Falls, icey Plum Plummet and barrel across Coconaut Bay.

All Star Fruit Racing VR

There are three difficulty levels to master, plus for those pro racers take on the Pro-Ghost challenge – trying to beat the developers at their own videogame.

Remember, All-Star Fruit Racing VR will be suitable for any Cardboard style headset, from the basic Google Cardboard up to one a little more sturdy like Merge VR. To make the title as accessible as possible, XR Games has included a non-VR mode using one finger control.

XR Games managed to secure $2.6 million USD of investment earlier this year, helping pave the way for continued development in VR and mobile videogames. While the addition of Whittaker brings 34 ­years of experience with a career which includes work on the likes of GoldenEye 007 (Nintendo 64), Alien vs. Predator (Atari Jaguar), The Sims, HR Giger’s Darkseed and major contributions to Microsoft Flight Simulator.

All-Star Fruit Racing VR is scheduled to launch today on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Check out the gameplay trailer below, and for further updates from XR Games, keep reading VRFocus.

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XR Games Board Joined by Jane Whittaker

Videogames industry legend Jane Whittaker has joined the board and executive team of new virtual reality (VR) specialist studio, XR Games, it was announced today. In a 34­year career which includes work on the likes of GoldenEye 007 (Nintendo 64), Alien vs. Predator (Atari Jaguar), The Sims, HR Giger’s Darkseed and major contributions to Microsoft Flight Simulator, Whittaker has led teams across both product and corporate business development.

XR Games logo

Whittaker has held senior management and board roles at Atari, MGM, and Electronic Arts. At XR Games, Jane’s title will be Chief Hopping Officer, a title initially coined initially by Microsoft founder Bill Gates to spotlight Whittaker’s wide­ranging expertise and ability to simultaneously hop between roles in a corporate environment, operating creatively, technically and leading business development.

XR Games’ CEO Bobby Thandi said that “Jane brings a wealth of experience that’s unparalleled in the games sector, and invaluable as we launch into the emerging VR market. Jane delivers concept, code, and corporate vision to our board, and I’m super excited that Jane has chosen to join XR Games.”

Jane has a long history in VR, including managing the VR team at Atari, developing titles such as the unreleased VR version of Alien Vs. Predator for the Atari Jaguar.

Atari Jaguar VR Headset

“I firmly believe as the technology matures, virtual reality is going to be a tidal wave that sweeps through the entertainment industry. XR Games is positioning itself to ride the crest of that wave with incredibly innovative products and approaches set to revolutionise VR. It’s an exciting time to be a member of the XR team,” enthused Jane.

Jane is also the subject of a BBC series about Jane’s life story, for major worldwide TV release in 2018. It features industry giants such as Bing Gordon, Sam Tramiel, Wild Bill Stealey, and others. Jane’s unique story as the only Siamese twin in the entertainment industry can be found at GamesIndustry.biz.

XR Games has received funding from the GM Media Ventures Fund (GMMV). Adam Schoff, GMMV Chief Investment Officer, commented “Pairing our board advisor Jane with Bobby will help spearhead the development and growth of XR Games. As a fund, we choose to invest where we believe we can add the most strategic advantage. We are confident that having Jane lead our investment in XR Games will be of great benefit to XR and investors alike.”

No titles have yet been announced by XR Games, however we’re likely to hear more in the near future. VRFocus will of course keep you updated with all the latest details.

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XR Games Receive $2.6m Investment from Global Merces

We just might be getting some brand new experiences based on our favourite franchises and licenses soon, thanks to a massive investment in the new virtual reality (VR) and mobile game developer, XR Games.

Global Merces, an Australian venture capital, has made the $2.6 million USD invesment in XR Games, and Global Merces’ Adam Schoff has joined the XR Games’ board to ensure the international media strategy is on-brand.

Bobby Thandi is XR Games’ Co-Founder and CEO, and his experience working on projects and licenses from DreamWorks, Mattel, Disney, BBC, PBS KIDS, and other leading companies is essential to XR Games’ future success. Most of the money will be used to expand XR Games’ team with experienced and professional designers, developers and artists.

Thandi is of course positive and hopeful for the future of XR Games, saying; “Soon we’ll announce fantastic new additions to our team, well-known names in the gaming world attracted by the trust and investment from Global Merces. This strong XR team will design and develop mobile and arcade VR games that we’d love to play ourselves and that are true to our partners’ much-loved IPs.”

It sounds like Thandi and the team at XR Games already have some strong ideas on what kind of VR experiences they want to develop, with Adam Schoff sharing some enlightening and hopeful words on the kinds of things we’ll see from XR Games: “We’re excited to invest in Bobby Thandi and the team at XR Games. Their business plan for generating revenues in the VR space really stood out to us, and they have an undeniable pedigree of making games for world famous IPs that are enjoyed by millions of players. I’m looking forward to supporting the team as a director.”

XR Games are also teasing some brand new staff hires. Hopefully we’ll see more from Bobby Thandi’s team and XR Games in the near future with some brand new VR experiences.

For more on XR Games and everything VR, make sure to keep reading VRFocus.