While there are several aspects of the AR/VR platform that distinguish it from conventional games, let’s delve into the tools that truly imbue life into games and experiences on this platform from the perspectives of both developers and customers.  

Game Engines, Toolkits and Plugins 

Leading game engines such as Unity3D and Unreal Engine offer robust frameworks that empower developers to create captivating VR worlds. These engines provide specialized VR development kits and tools, including Unity’s XR Interaction Toolkit and Unreal’s VR Editor, enabling seamless integration of VR features. Additionally, VR-specific plugins like VRTK (Virtual Reality Toolkit) and SteamVR Plugin for Unity offer pre-built components and functionalities that streamline the development process by providing solutions for complex mechanics, optimizing performance, enabling cross-platform support, and other specialized features. These tools collectively empower developers to harness the potential of VR technology and craft engaging experiences, while ensuring customers are immersed in dynamic virtual environments, without the need to reinvent the wheel for every project. 

Spatial Mapping and Environment Understanding 

AR/VR games require a deep understanding of the physical environment to create realistic interactions. Spatial mapping involves using sensors like depth cameras to scan and create a 3D model of the user’s surroundings. This model allows the game to understand the layout, surfaces, and obstacles present in the real world. In AR games, virtual objects can then be placed accurately within this mapped environment, ensuring that they interact with the physical world in a natural way. This tool is particularly important in creating convincing and immersive experiences. 

Head-Mounted Displays (HMDs) 

Somewhat of an identity for AR/VR experiences today, HMDs provide a virtual reality experience by displaying 3D visuals directly to the user’s eyes. These devices often incorporate motion tracking and sensors to detect the user’s movements, enabling them to look around and interact with the virtual environment. HMDs play a pivotal role in creating an immersive experience where players feel like they are truly inside the game world. 

Motion Controllers 

Serving as the body to the brain that is the HMD, Motion controllers are designed to replicate the player’s real-world hand movements in the virtual environment. These controllers are equipped with sensors like accelerometers and gyroscopes, enabling precise tracking of hand positions and orientations. Players can use these controllers to interact with objects, manipulate the environment, and perform various in-game actions. This adds a layer of realism and interactivity to AR/VR games that is not present in conventional games. 

Conclusion 

While there are various other tools and hardware involved in the creation of VR/AR games, the above-mentioned tools play a major role in distinguishing the AR/VR platform by enabling players to interact with digital content in ways that were previously impossible in conventional games. The immersion, interactivity, and integration with the real world provide a unique gaming experience that conventional games can’t replicate. 

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Why is AR/VR different? 

To understand AR/VR game development, one needs to understand the fundamentals of AR/VR as a platform. It is common knowledge that a VR headset and a special set of controllers, rather than your traditional controllers used in conventional games, are needed for VR games. But the differences go beyond the hardware requirements when we dwell deeper into the development philosophies of a VR/AR title. Getting the user to interact with the in-game world and UI (User Interface) through physical actions and gestures in the real world would mean a drastic shift from how many of the vital elements are handled while designing the game.  

There are various factors to consider before and during development, depending on the type of game/experience one is trying to build, like the various platforms available and the unique challenges each platform brings to the various tools available and their compatibility with one another, to user experience considerations and market fragmentations. The developer needs to set their roadmap accounting for all these factors and choose what works best for their project. And one of the primary considerations is the game engine and the tools on which the game is built.   

Game Engines, SDKs, and Modeling Software 

Some of the popular game engines used for VR include Unity, Unreal Engine, and Godot. These engines offer powerful rendering capabilities, physics simulations, and asset management systems necessary for creating realistic virtual environments. SDKs like ARKit Oculus Integration, and Seam VR provide libraries and tools to integrate the necessary hardware components into the game.

These tools facilitate the integration of features such as tracking, rendering, and input for a seamless user experience. Assets created on modeling software like Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max, or Blender can be used in conjunction with animation software, such as Autodesk MotionBuilder or Unity’s Timeline to bring these assets to life by adding movement and behavior. Sound design is critical for an immersive gaming experience. Audio tools like FMOD and Wwise help developers create spatial audio, sound effects, and music that enhances the realism and atmosphere of the virtual world. These tools enable precise audio positioning based on the user’s position and movement in the virtual environment. 

While these tools are also used in building traditional 2D and 3D games, there are some challenges unique to creating games in AR/VR.  

The Many Challenges 

AR/VR games demand high-performance hardware to render realistic visuals and maintain smooth interactions. Developers face the challenge of optimizing their games to run smoothly on various devices while minimizing latency. They need to create intuitive interfaces that are accessible in a 3D environment and can be easily operated using different input methods.  

One of the significant challenges in AR/VR game development is mitigating motion sickness, which occurs when users experience a disconnect between their visual and physical sensations. Developers must design games with careful consideration of movement mechanics, comfort modes, and minimizing abrupt camera movements to reduce the risk of motion sickness.  

Various VR/AR platforms vary significantly in terms of hardware capabilities. Different platforms employ distinct input devices, such as motion controllers, hand-tracking systems, or even haptic feedback suits. Developers need to design their games to accommodate these varying input methods and ensure that interactions are intuitive and responsive across all platforms should they choose more than one platform to release their game.  

Adding to that, each platform has differing user bases, and developers need to consider the market potential and audience size of each platform when deciding where to focus their efforts. This choice can impact the visibility, sales, and success of a VR game.  

And finally, platforms continue to evolve, with new hardware iterations and software updates being released. This constant evolution adds complexity to game development as developers need to adapt their games to leverage new features and optimize performance on updated platforms. 

Why AR/VR then? 

All of this may sound a bit overwhelming and even demotivating to someone starting new. But a game development service in general is a challenging prospect, and developing conventional games on various platforms poses its fair share of challenges. VR/AR just adds another layer to it. This is still an emerging market, that is held back by a high cost of entry for the user.  

However, the VR market has seen a steady rise thanks to reduced costs of newer hardware, like the Quest family of devices, and an ever-growing library of games. Titles like Beat Sabre, Superhot VR, and Halflife: Alyx stand as shining examples of an immersive VR experience, while also being financial successes. What is common among these titles is a combination of Intuitive polished gameplay, smooth movement, excellent audio design, and lag-free VR interactions in general.  

These elements combined make a solid VR/AR experience as they cater to the most basic requirements of the platform. Immersion! By incorporating animations with smooth in-game transitions that correspond with real-world actions, both during gameplay and in UI design, and implementing a robust physics system, developers can focus on eradicating hurdles like motion sickness and getting the players as immersed in their world as possible. 

Conclusion: 

Developing VR/AR games comes with a unique set of challenges that vary across different VR/AR platforms. From hardware limitations and user experience considerations to market fragmentation, game developers must navigate these obstacles to create immersive and successful experiences. This is still a growing market that is slowly but steadily finding a footing in the industry with a dedicated user base. And for that alone, there has never been a better time to be a developer for a VR/AR project.  

Planning to deliver engaging and highly immersive games to players worldwide? iXie would be the right choice with massive experience in the gaming industry over the past decade.

The post How to build immersive gaming experiences with AR/VR game development  appeared first on iXie Gaming.

First Things First

I need to begin by stating the obvious here that this game not for everyone. And that statements applies to multiple aspects of the game like its target demographic which are adults only, to the offbeat brand of humour (which is not as sharp as the show) that you would either love or hate, to the structure of the game and its mechanics which have been executed keeping in mind that this is best experienced on Virtual Reality, therefore foregoing what one would consider a traditional control scheme and gameplay mechanics. And this also applies to one of the games most ridiculous aspects which are its…..

Story

If you know about Rick and Morty and if that was what drew you towards this game, then you would know what to expect in terms of story. And it would be best to be in the right mindset while you’re launching the game. The plot revolves around Trover whose dogs have been stolen by an evil alien who gains God-like powers by placing those dogs in his empty eye sockets. Yes, you read that right.

Joining Trover in his quest to retrieve his dogs and save the universe in the process is you the player, a ‘chairorpian’ who always sits on his chair/couch, which is this games version of a mute protagonist who does others’ chores. Needless to say, the setting is less James Bond and more Austin Powers, and the game does tend to make the most of it, most of the times. The game is so self-aware that it constantly pokes fun at its own story and that this is a video game. And the events that occur in the game range from the mundane to downright ridiculous. One moment you are collecting a ‘hidden’ collectible which is placed right in front of you, and the other you just realise that you played through a whole planet to obtain a crystal which a character removes from his butt, only to find something even more shocking shortly after.

There is so much potty mouthed humour here to keep you giggling throughout the course of the game if you are into such things. Not all the jokes and gags land though. Some characters who are funny in the first few minutes just go on and on to the point that they get really annoying. And if you have a small threshold for such things this could really get in the way of you having fun with this game. That said, the game’s brand of dark comedy will keep most of the players pleased.

Gameplay

Throughout the story, you will be visiting various planets which look and feel distinct keeping the game fresh. And you the chairorpian will be controlling both your self and Trover with a cleverly implemented control scheme that only needs a little getting used to. Abilities for both are acquired at a steady pace throughout the game although nothing very special is on offer. But what is offered does make up for a good set of tools towards the often-well-done platforming sections, combat and puzzles. Combat starts out quite basic, but gradually gains some depth thanks to a clever blend of combat moves from Trover and your abilities, like pulling or throwing stuff.

As a chairorpian, your abilities are limited though, and you can only be mobile by warping through certain points in each map. However, this does not come in the way of the gameplay and is well executed for the most part. You also acquire the ability to hover your chair to different heights which provides 3 distinct perspectives that help in navigating Trover, puzzle solving and combat.

The aforementioned collectables are sometimes very on-the-nose, but also cleverly hidden in a lot of cases pushing you to explore if you are a completionist. There is not much in the way of challenge through combat or puzzles though, save for a few instances, and the game does feel like it is being the jack of all trades trying to mix all the elements together. The push and pull ability, in particular, felt a bit too clunky which sometimes resulted in frustrating moments. That said the system as a whole work for the most part and you will feel at home with the controls within an hour into the game.

Graphics and Sound

The distinct art style of Rick and Morty transitions well into 3D. And while not the most beautiful game out there, the game does look great.

Needless to say, the best way to experience this game would be through VR, but it is also playable in non-VR mode. The good thing though is that somehow the trade-off does not seem all that bad in non-VR mode. The game’s mechanics complement both modes just as well. In terms of sound, I would have preferred a button to shut some NPCs’ mouths. Other than that, the game does a good job overall.

Overall

Trover saves the universe is not for everyone. The game is a short and often times not so challenging experience. That said, what is on offer makes up for a decent action platformer to sit through on a rainy afternoon that does not push your skills to the limits. However, if you love the kind of potty-mouthed dark humour from Rick and Morty and have invested in a VR headset, this is a must play.

Verdict

8/10

The post Trover Saves the Universe – Review appeared first on iXie Gaming.

Beastly Nature

This one is the most obvious and needs to be addressed off the gate. The next wave of consoles will no doubt be a significant improvement in specs over their current-gen counterparts. Games like Cyberpunk 2077 and The Last of Us 2 have shown where the industry is heading in terms of cutting-edge graphics and these machines will be equipped with the power to run such graphics heavy games all the way into the next 6 -7 years. Of course, these boxes aren’t going to rival an RTX 2080 but we can expect to get the best bang for our buck in potential $400 we spend on them.

Physical Discs still a thing?

The death of physical game discs has been discussed since the PS3/X360 era. And the technology and internet services of today may finally make that happen. There are already rumours cooking up about a disc-less Xbox One, let alone a next-gen console. And the removal of a disc drive could potentially make the console cheaper, assuming the bigger hard disk requirement does not increase the cost. And if this model succeeds, chances are that this approach will seep into the next-gen consoles from both parties. Whether this will succeed, or the degree of success will also determine the availability of disc-based consoles. Personally, I love my game discs. I like my games to a have physical tangible form. It adds to the emotional attachment one may to a title like say God of War.

Streaming is the Future Present

Further, in the lines of disc-less consoles, subscription services like PS Now and Xbox game pass will be more prominent next generation. With both companies butting heads on offering the best value proposition things may come down to streaming services playing a major role in the success of either console. Sony may not tout the PS Now this generation due to its strong library of exclusive games driving their sales of the PS4. But Microsoft seems to have fixed the issue of exclusive games for next gen. So heading into a potentially even playfield in the next generation, Microsoft’s card of “Better value with subscription services” may be a make or break factor for both companies in the next round. Sony has already evolved its PS Now service mimicking Microsoft by adding the option to download games directly to the console. Chances are both will go the distance to check the depths of streaming services.

Cross Play Galore

With Microsoft, Nintendo, and Gamers being so vocal about crossplay, Sony will be following suit by offering crossplay for third-party multiplayer games on the next PlayStation. I mean they have to, right? This is another point that may seem super obvious but we have seen corporations make a bad decision based on statistics. However cross play seems like a no-brainer and it is something that I fully expect to see it in PS5, but then again, Sony!.

NextGen is All Gen

Backward Compatibility has been another weapon in Microsoft’s arsenal to make up for the lack of games this gen. Backward compatibility is one of the popular practices in the industry. The amount of success it brought to the Xbox one is a different topic altogether, but the appeal of Backward Compatibility is no doubt a force to be reckoned with. With the complicated architecture of the PS3 and therefore the way PS3s games were made, Sony had struggled in this department with the PS4. But recent rumours strongly hint at backward compatibility on the PS5. There was the one suggesting that the PS5 is very similar to the PS4 on how it works, and then another focusing on a patent Sony had made towards backward compatibility. These indicate that the PS5 could potentially play all of the PS4s libraries. As pointed out in my last article about 5 Reason Why Microsoft May Win Next Gen, if this happens Sony would have already won next gen. I hope this happens and, more importantly, not locked behind a paywall as PS4 games are too good to be ignored.

VR still a thing?

The last batch of rumours suggested better integration of PSVR on Sony’s next system. Whether we like it or not VR has been a novelty that has done better than the novelties of the past like Motion Control and 3D. And, if these rumours are true, Sony seems to be embracing VR more strongly next generation. Whether VR will become stronger or will next gen be the end of the VR run will be an interesting thing to see and experience through the life cycle of next-gen consoles.

Super Awesome Games. Or are they?

With every generation, the games we play get more and more advanced with more systems and gameplay nuances integrated within. Games have come from humble beginnings in the PS1 era like Crash Bandicoot, to awesome experiences like God of War 2 on the PS2, to complex story experiences like Mass Effect and Skyrim on the X360, to magnum opuses like Horizon: Zero Dawn and Red Dead Redemption 2 on the PS4. And this upward trajectory is only going to soar towards the sky next generation. If games like Ghost of Tsushima are any indication on where we are headed, then we gamers are in for a treat with our new machines. That said, questionable business practices like loot boxes and unfair implementation of microtransactions will still be an issue from big third party developers. New gaming trends may topple today’s trends like battle royale prompting these companies to apply new ways to make money. But, with every good comes the bad and it is up to us to choose what we want and what we encourage. So let’s be excited for the good and wonderful that is sure to come our way.

And there you have it. My trip to 2021 showed me these visions. How many of these will stand truly is something that time will answer. One thing is for sure though. There has never been a better time to be a Gamer. And you know it is true.

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