Bullet Hell in Virtual Reality

[Drachenherz]

As I can't wait for the release of the consumer version of the Oculus Rift VR headset, I caved in and ordered the dev kit...

When browsing stuff on the oculus homepage, I stumbled upon this:

https://share.oculusvr.com/app/suwako-c ... culus-rift

I'll definetely try this out when my Headset arrives. Until then: does anybody else around these boards own an oculus and has given this game a try?

[shmuppyLove]

[Kaspal]

indeed!... I'D LIKE TO HAVE A GO AT IT!!!!

[Lord Satori]

Wow, thats amazing!

The demo has 6 stages + extra stage

Wait, is this right? Did he get the info mixed up or something? If not, I'd love to see what the full version has to offer.

[Kaspal]

Wow, thats amazing!

The demo has 6 stages + extra stage

Wait, is this right? Did he get the info mixed up or something? If not, I'd love to see what the full version has to offer.

i just found out that the game has been available for like 2 years now (the regular version), it takes some to get use to it, but its amazing (from the videos i've seen... dont have the game, yet). If you have a oculous dev account, you can get the game right away.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

That indie Oculus shmup title looks impressive...will the arcade shmup dev veterans (i.e. Cave, Taito, G-Rev, Moss, etc.) develop some slick VR-based danmaku titles as well? With their years of hands-on experience in the arcade shmup industry, it'd be a no-brainer to have some new VR danmaku titles worth taking out for a spin. I've read about the Oculus in a recent past issue of Game Informer and it sounds quite intriguing to revive the VR headset market. With a tentative 3rd Quarter 2014 release date for the consumer production model, that certainly, isn't too far away. A mere $300 USD for a Oculus dev kit is quite reasonable indeed.

Sure, I've tried the infamous Virtuality headset back in the mid-1990s (as it was a one day event set for the public to try out for a set fee, of course) -- the resolution on that particular VR headset was quite limited though (not to mention bulkiness of the actual Virtulality headset and the overall jerkiness of it framerate-wise with the head tracking sensors trying to keep up with your head positioning and what-not if moving too fast). In retrospect, I noticed that if you moved your head slower, the framerate was more acceptable in relation to your virtual self in a typical Virtuality generated world. Ah, the early days of VR gaming lore. Should be interesting to see if 8K or even the 12K variant Oculus headsets for better viewing purposes compare to the original 1st-gen Oculus headsets -- makes me wonder if going the OLED high-res screen route would make sense in the long run.

Here's the link to d/l the demo game: http://www.utgsoftware.net/games/suwapyon2/dousa.htm

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[InvisibleMan]

Woah I wonder if the Oculus would actually help in avoiding bullets, since you would be able to tell depth...

[Jeneki]

I've always envisioned adding 3d to a traditional shmup could work if it's done in simple layers. For example, all bullets and hitbox on the top layer so they stand out the most, then a middle layer for the ship and enemies, then a bottom layer for background stuff.

[n0rtygames]

I actually have one of these waiting for me when I get back home tomorrow.. first UPS delivery bounced cos I was at my folks for christmas - but should beat the post home tomorrow. Will have to check this out.

Shmups in VR.. full depth perception.. hmm... *ponders*

[Drachenherz]

I actually have one of these waiting for me when I get back home tomorrow.. first UPS delivery bounced cos I was at my folks for christmas - but should beat the post home tomorrow. Will have to check this out.

Shmups in VR.. full depth perception.. hmm... *ponders*

You lucky bastard!!! How I envy you! (Well, I hope they send out my dev-kit soon enough, but I think I'll have to be patient until January/mid january.

Please tell us (me!) your first impressions, not only of this game, but in general.

Edit: and maybe... there will be some kind of VR-Shmup from you, too?

[null1024]

Oh, hey. That actually looks like it'd be great in VR. I really want to play this now, haha.

Sadly, I'll probably end up waiting for the consumer Rift.

[Kaspal]

That indie Oculus shmup title looks impressive...will the arcade shmup dev veterans (i.e. Cave, Taito, G-Rev, Moss, etc.) develop some slick VR-based danmaku titles as well? With their years of hands-on experience in the arcade shmup industry, it'd be a no-brainer to have some new VR danmaku titles worth taking out for a spin. I've read about the Oculus in a recent past issue of Game Informer and it sounds quite intriguing to revive the VR headset market. With a tentative 3rd Quarter 2014 release date for the consumer production model, that certainly, isn't too far away. A mere $300 USD for a Oculus dev kit is quite reasonable indeed.

Sure, I've tried the infamous Virtuality headset back in the mid-1990s (as it was a one day event set for the public to try out for a set fee, of course) -- the resolution on that particular VR headset was quite limited though (not to mention bulkiness of the actual Virtulality headset and the overall jerkiness of it framerate-wise with the head tracking sensors trying to keep up with your head positioning and what-not if moving too fast). In retrospect, I noticed that if you moved your head slower, the framerate was more acceptable in relation to your virtual self in a typical Virtuality generated world. Ah, the early days of VR gaming lore. Should be interesting to see if 8K or even the 12K variant Oculus headsets for better viewing purposes compare to the original 1st-gen Oculus headsets -- makes me wonder if going the OLED high-res screen route would make sense in the long run.

Here's the link to d/l the demo game: http://www.utgsoftware.net/games/suwapyon2/dousa.htm

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

i gave the full version (don't ask) a go last night ... it's recommended to have your 1st run on easy or normal levels, so you can get the hang of the game mechanics, then if you want a challenge, get it up to hard or lunatic, and have fun. There's an HD version of the game, let's see if i can find it or buy it, because this game got my attention now, and love to play it some more.

i wonder how good would it be to play it with the oculous!? ... lets hear some impressions from the lucky owners on those units!.

[n0rtygames]

Please tell us (me!) your first impressions, not only of this game, but in general.

I haven't actually gotten around to testing out this game yet, but thought I'd drop some thoughts.

Does the device live up to the hype? Yes! There are a few teething issues with the device and the first thing you'll notice as everyone does is that it's "blurry".

Reason for this is due to the lenses that basically render the center of the display in each eye crystal clear but everything around the peripheral vision blurry and out of focus. Now, at first this seems dumb - but there's some science behind it and it actually works. For instance, try focussing on my avatar and reading any of this text clearly. You can't - right?

Second, due to the lack of positional tracking (i.e no transform moving L/R/U/D/F/B) you need to build up to playing more intense things. I shrugged it off, but it turns out VR sickness is a very real thing. For the most part I thought people were being lightweights but yeah - it's there. You're gonna get it. However, the fact that you get it is pretty damned cool.

Here are a list of things I highly recommend you avoid doing (but you will anyway and you'll see why!)

* Resting the Rift on your forehead and then looking at the output on the monitor after you've been using the Rift on your eyes for a period of time. This will fuck with your mind beyond all reason.

* Strafing. It's gonna take you a few goes at strafing to get used to your brain being ripped out of your skull. You will get used to it in time, but just don't go bunnyhopping around the place like a lunatic

* Try where possible to keep head movements slow and relaxed but use another peripheral (i.e xbox pad or mouse) to turn your body in games/apps that allow it.

Will give this VR shmup business a try soon and report back on that. I've been trying out a bunch of things on it today as you can imagine. Yes - a VR shmup might be a possibility from me, though I'm feeling more inclined to just make fun one shot scenes at the moment while I ponder it..

[n0rtygames]

So just tried this and it's pretty fun. It's a little disorientating at first because you're playing from a weird position of basically being a camera (adjustable) on a playing field so you have to get used to that again.

Anyway, it's badass and fun. I think there's a lot of potential for high action VR games once the device is nailed down a bit more and we have less nausea and more comfort for end users. This is promising stuff.

Big yes to VR shmups!

Oh, bullets from above are slightly terrifying though. You have to be on the lookout!

[Drachenherz]

I just got the confirmation that my rift has been shipped. Boy, I can't wait for it to arrive! It's gonna be a looong wait till the 7th of january....

Norty, thank you very much for your impressions, I'm even more impatient now than before.

[n0rtygames]

No problem... let me know when yours arrives and I'm sure once you've gotten used to it we can maybe look at doing interesting things together. I have a full Unity Pro License so... there's that and I think you get a few months free with the OR

[Captain]

Until I'm the one dodging the bullets myself, I will not be happy.

[BulletMagnet]

Until I'm the one dodging the bullets myself, I will not be happy.

Come to Newark, problem solved! Or Camden, if you want to try Ultra mode.