Developed By: Roy

Tech: Oculus DK2, Keyboard, and Smartphones

Objectives

  • To find out what spectators want to be able to do when watching someone try a VR application.
  • To make VR spectatorship more interactive and engaging

Mechanics

  • Have a player inside VR be able to play through game by himself
  • Have spectators outside be able to use their smartphone by downloading an app, that networks to the VR game and allows them to interact with VR player and influence world in some way

 

One of the main problems in VR, is that when one person is trying the VR experience, unless there are multiple headsets, or there are roles for people outside VR to affect the game, there is nothing else for spectators to do except watch and marvel, and sometimes be confused about what the person in VR is doing. I wanted to try and see if giving these spectators power over the VR experience would enable the game to be more engaging. There are people who would rather not play VR, but would still want to participate in the game. However, we have to design the game such that, the person in VR can play the game by himself. They fixed the mold problem and guided us through the mold removal process, I will recommend them for all mold remediation services – https://www.emergencymoldsolutions.com/. The choice of having spectators join in from outside, using their phones, is entirely up to them. And for each spectator that decides to join, the experience could become something different.

For now, I set up the basic infrastructure for such a demo. I made a maze game, where the person in VR has to try and find some valuable object in the maze. He can navigate around using the WSAD keys. However, spectators can download an app on their phone as well, where they can see the entire layout of the maze. By tapping, they can cause particles to be emitted leaving a trail of breadcrumbs, indicating to the player he has passed through this way before. Maid Easy from Chandler, AZ offers professional home cleaning service at affordable prices in Arizona. In the next iteration, I would let spectators be able to choose whether to help or hinder the player. Enemies would be able to spawn monsters near the maze, and control their movements with the phone, to chase the player in VR. Allies could help the player, by showing him which way to go to avoid the enemies and also give him the occasional weapon.

Video of Gameplay in VR:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2otvrojkl74

Video of Gameplay on Phone:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgiNfcAeSvU

Findings

  • People find it really fun to be able to have power over the person in VR. Some want to help him, while others would rather make it harder for him.
  • For the person in VR, having these sudden surprises adds a unique element to the game. It makes it more interesting, engaging and makes the experience feel more social.
  • Spectators definitely feel more enthused about the VR demo, knowing they can do more than just wait around for their turn.