Step into the Rift
The Oculus event today was a victory for the VR developer, game designers and gamers alike, showcasing many innovations in the field of virtual reality gaming. From the consumer Oculus Rift and new Oculus Touch controllers to introducing a partnership with Microsoft, the future looks bright for the VR viewer.
While tech and specs are all well and good, it was the games that caught my attention. Yes, as much as we love to ooh and aah at the spectacle of Oculus' groundbreaking innovations, games will ultimately be our connection to this device, and these examples look exhilarating.
Here's a peek at some of the games due out in 2016 that were showcased at Oculus' Rift event.
Eve Valkyrie - CCP Games
"The closest thing you will get to being a real spaceship fighter pilot."
Hell of a tagline, right? Designed by Icelandic game developer CCP games, Eve Valkyrie is a classic Star Wars-style space shooter. This game puts you in the virtual cockpit of a spaceship and throws you into a world of space dogfights.
Based on the style of the classic X-Wing shooter, and the company's 2003 installment, Eve Online, this game looks like it could sell the Oculus Rift on its own.
Chronos - Gunfire Games
The premise for this atmospheric third-person RPG is fascinating. The hero of the story is working to free his homeland from the curse of a dragon, using a labyrinth that opens only once a year. The catch is that every failure of the hero in the labyrinth means he must wait a year before trying again.
As you play, your character ages and the gameplay changes with it. How you maneuver in the game varies depending on your stage in life. The younger your character, the quicker he moves, and the older he gets, the more he relies on wit and wisdom of magic. All the while, Gunfire Games founder David Adams says, "you'll explore old ruins, vast caverns and ancient tombs."
You can click here to watch the enthralling reveal trailer in its entirety, and keep an eye on this RPG - or both, if you're wearing a Rift.
Edge of Nowhere - Insomniac Games
According to Insomniac CEO Ted Price, Edge of Nowhere was designed only with VR in mind, creating a gaming experience unlike any other title. The premise of the action/adventure game is to travel to the frozen Arctic and search for a missing expedition.
Price was very ambiguous in his details, saying, "You are surrounded on all sides by the unexpected" and "Nothing is as it seems." He also said he went from a skeptic to a believer in VR over the course of developing this game.
This looks to be an extremely engaging gaming experience, and hopefully we will learn more about it at E3 next week. You can check out the full trailer for the game here.
Damaged Core - High Voltage
Not many details were spilled on this title thus far. All we know is that the team at High Voltage has been working to perfect the first-person shooter VR experience for the Oculus. As expected, the first-person shooter genre is one of the most requested additions to the Oculus, and we can expect to learn more about this game at E3 2015 next week.
VR Sports Challenge - Sanzaru Games
Imagine the competitive fun of Wii Sports, in surreal virtual reality. While we don't know many specifics just yet about this title, Oculus VR's Head of Worldwide Studios said this game will deliver "the football, baseball, basketball and hockey simulator we all want and expect on the Rift."
Sports games are known to bring out the best (and worst) in our competitive gaming nature. As we put ourselves in the actual goalie's mask or catcher's mitt, we'll have to be careful not to ruin long-lasting friendships over VR sporting events.
Esper - Coatsink
Esper is a first-person puzzle title on the Oculus Rift and Samsung Gear VR. Set in 1975, you are one of the few people who have developed extra-sensory and telekinetic ability, and must prove to the government that you aren't a danger to the public. Seems like an interesting premise with the promise of unique gameplay.
AirMech VR - Carbon
This popular fast-paced real-time-strategy (RTS) game is being "ramped up" for Oculus VR. AirMech is inspired by the fabled RTS Herzog Zwei, allowing the gamer to hover above an ongoing battle or jump down and join the fight themselves.
The game allows you to adapt and strategize however you see fit, and holds a strong 9 out of 10 stars rating on Steam. A high-paced RTS on Oculus Rift is sure to be exhilarating.
Lucky's Tale - Playful
Already a fan favorite for Oculus users, Lucky's Tale proves that third-person VR can be loads of fun. Developed by Playful, founded by Words with Friends co-creator Paul Bettner, Lucky's Tale is a Mario 64-esque adventure game that has been raved about since day one.
When the commercial version is released next year, we all most likely won't want to do anything but battle bosses with Lucky the furry fox.
Oculus Developers
Oculus is working with a huge list of developers and publisher to bring original content to the Rift by next year. The partial list of developers includes Ozwe, Glu, Harmonix and many others.
Oculus VR's Head of Worldwide Studios, Jason Rubin, said that he believes that "2016 is going to be an absolutely incredible year for gaming," continuing to say he "implores you to come to E3 and step through the window yourself."
I think we can all agree that after today's Oculus showcase, we are excited to see how VR gaming evolves and changes a landscape we all know and love so well.
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