Temple Run VR: the first lessons of virtual game design
As we have already mentioned, the Temple Run VR game for a virtual reality helmet has recently been released. Using her example, the Gamasutra resource briefly analyzed some of the problems that are inevitable in this new area for the gaming industry.
Creating games for virtual reality is a continuous challenge to the developer. Game designers are still trying to figure out how to solve basic issues, such as, for example, player convenience. Even such a simple, at first glance, task – the creation of an infinite runner – becomes extremely difficult when it is known that this runner is played with a helmet, potentially capable of causing nausea in the user.
Imangi Studios co-founder Keith Shepherd notes that this was the main concern of his team when they designed the Temple Run VR title.
“We need to remember how people react to a moving image, and try to avoid those things that can make them dizzy,” Shepard shared. – Generalizing, every time the camera movement is not caused directly by the player himself, it can provoke nausea in him.”
Shepard also told how exactly the levels had to be redone so that they could be played in virtual reality. The Temple Run VR game is from the first person, so the transfer of image depth was the main issue that the studio team faced.
“When you create levels for VR, you need to remember how the human eye perceives the depth of the image,” says Shepard. “Just adding a bumpy texture to a flat image is not enough. We will have to really create these mounds in volume, otherwise they will look two-dimensional.”
Imangi found out that in developing a game for VR, game designers will have to operate with a minimal set of control options. Yes, the Gear VR helmet has its own integrated touchpad, and Samsung has added a wireless gamepad to this set, but all this prevents the player from fully immersing himself in virtual reality, Shepard believes.
“Management in VR is still just beginning to develop. It’s quite difficult to use it, because you can’t see it directly in front of you,” says Shepard. – In the meantime, let the management be as simple as possible.”
Other materials on the topic:Temple Run for a virtual Reality helmet has been released
