The toughest challenge virtual reality devices like the PlayStation VR will face is acceptance. The VR experience on showcase is excellent no doubt, but the technology has to be easily accessible and non-intimidating to try. This is what Nintendo conquered with the original Wii: it sold motion controls (that wasn’t 1:1 accurate to begin with) by creating specific, family oriented games that catered to the ‘playing together’ formula. What I am trying to say is that PlayStation VR needs its own Wii Sports, and luckily the Playroom VR currently on development for the platform might just be that.
At a behind-closed-door session at the Paris Games Week, I got to try two mini-games from Playroom VR that supported four players and cleverly utilized the PlayStation VR for some simple, fun games.
The demo takes place at a dock side, which makes it a good place to spawn throwables such as crates, barrels and even rocket launchers that will be required to win the game. The three robots must use these items to destroy the four lights on the dino’s own PlayStation VR headset (because that’s how dinos roll in virtual reality), while the player using the headset must protect himself by dodging the incoming projectiles.
I had a blast trying to duck out of the way of all the incoming attacks. I had to physically bob and weave in my seat to avoid getting hit, and when I did get hit, it really ‘felt’ like I was being smashed by heavy chunks of wood and metal. The best part about the game is its visuals - they are goofy and cartoonish making it immediately accessible and inviting for anyone to pick up and play the game. It doesn’t have a lot of depth to it, but could serve perfectly as a good first introduction to virtual reality.
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