When I was about six years old, playing an early Sonic title – I can’t even remember which one, much to my nostalgic despair – I knew what I wanted from science. I wanted Virtual Reality.
I wanted to go fast.
I wanted to run in Sonic’s little red shoes, reach out and grab the rings, and bounce on Eggman’s robots until his dastardly machines exploded and all the little fuzzy critters were free once again.
As time passed and I left my old hedgehog friend behind to explore the world of RPG’s, my longing to be in those worlds only increased. Every game I played came closer and closer – first when my nine-year-old self played Zork (already so old by that time, but still so brilliant) and I walked north, walked north, walked north, hit troll; to when my eleven-year-old self created her first character in the original Neverwinter Nights with tremulous hands and eyes wide with excitement. I could pick her hair, the color of her skin!
There were so many options, and I could make my elven ranger look just like me!
Or at least, what I hoped I might look like one day. I favored the half-elf with the adorable tabby.
It was the single most immersive experience I’d ever had.
With the Oculus Rift looking increasingly promising, particularly when paired with the Virtuix Omni Gaming Treadmill and Myo, I’ve decided to compile a personal wishlist of developers who I would love to see working towards a real virtual reality experience.
1. Bioware
This sort of goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway. If you’ve read any of my other articles, you’ll know that I am a massive fan of Bioware’s work. That studio has given me my greatest gaming memories, after all. Just imagining using the Oculus Rift, Myo and the VOGMill with Dragon Age: Inquisition, for example, sends a shiver of anticipation through me. Oh, oh the possibilities.
Imagine raising one hand, and thrusting your staff forward with the other, shooting a pillar of flame into the sky that rains destruction upon your enemies.
We could use our hands to give orders to our companions, manually search chests and fight throw the abrasive torrent of a sandstorm. Maybe in later titles, we would be able to immerse ourselves even further by voicing our own characters, by reading out the line of dialogue we want and simply having the NPC’s and companions react to it.
2. Bethesda
Pretty much the reigning ruler of open world games, I’m sure many people would give more than a few of their vital organs for the chance to have a real VR experience guided by Bethesda. Though I’d recommend grabbing a few more voice actors and actresses first. Nothing would kill the experience faster than hearing the same voice say “what do you want, outlander?” over and over and over again. Still, the idea of prancing through lush green fields, staring up at a sky masked by beautifully rendered clouds, climbing mountains and grappling with enemies…it’s highly enticing.
Plus, we’d finally have a chance to learn proper swordfighting techniques in a game, with poor attempts resulting in broken player heads.
You have no idea how bitter I am that we never saw a medieval fighting simulator released for the Kinect. From the moment it was announced, I was convinced we’d have a title on the shelves within months. That ship sailed, but VR provides a new ship, a better ship, and with Bethesda at the helm perhaps my dreams can become reality…
3. Crystal Dynamics
I don’t know about you, but in my opinion the latest Tomb Raider was one of the most immersive gaming experiences I’ve ever had. And while putting us directly in the boots of Lara might not have worked out too well, that doesn’t mean there’s no room for VR in a framed adventure narrative.
Perhaps -we- could play the support role, the sidekick, riding along on Croft’s next adventure?
In any case, the level of detail and sheer quality that comes from Crystal Dynamics makes me honestly hope that we might see some VR support from them in the future.
4. Telltale Games
The Walking Dead was an amazing game. From its engaging, heartwrenching story to its spectacular artstyle, it was pretty close to a perfect game. I love Lee, his bond with Clem, and the relationship dynamics that evolved in our little survival group. While Telltale’s other games have all had their excellent points, I’d really like to see them continue to play with the world of The Walking Dead, in true RPG form. Let us make our own survivor, choose from a range of backstories, and then throw us headfirst into that beautifully drawn environment with VR.
How much more intense would the QTE’s be, if we could see walker spittle fly from their mouths as we hold up our hands to grapple with them?
Perhaps guided by on screen directions, telling us to lean left, right, or when to take a fall for the sake of a tactical advantage? The possibilities are limitless.
5. Game Freak
Okay, okay. I want my VR Pokemon game. I have an intense, burning need to actually bend down and pat my Pokemon, to groom them for talent shows and nurse them back to health after a particularly brutal battle. Plus, just think of all the fitness possibilities! Walking all over the huge maps is practically training for a marathon, but would you really notice when you’re constantly on guard in the tall grass, the blades whipping past your face?
You pause, hearing a low rumbling. A Rhydon charges at you out of the shrubbery. Holy crap, you think to yourself as you come to a sudden realization, those things are huge! You run to the side to avoid its lumbering dash, you look down, fumbling at your belt to retrieve the Pokeball that contains your only hope of surviving the encounter – and Raichu is released. You win the battle. You live to train another day.
Suddenly, Pokemon is no longer just a kiddie game that non-gaming individuals will look down on you for still playing in your twenties and thirties.
Suddenly it’s an intense survival simulation, where you have to be the very best. There is no other choice.
Other than to run screaming from that angry Rydon until you arrive, puffing and out of breath, at a Pokemon Center.
What game developers would you like to see craft a VR world? Or what games would you like to see redone in a VR reboot?
Published: Aug 14, 2013 10:13 pm