How THIS VR Game Effectively Uses the Medium | Into the Radius

VR games typically feel more like adaptations of what we already know, rather than innovations taking advantage of all that VR has to offer as a new medium. Into the Radius breaks the mold by creating a truly VR-first experience.

In this video, I break down a couple pieces of what VR as a medium's strengths are, and how Into the Radius excels at taking advantage of them.

#vr #gamedesign

[Abdurrahman_Mahayni]

Love the content Mr. Mayer, please keep it up
I'm not a current owner of any VR device, but I've had faith in the medium since the beginning
The imagination of game developers knows no bounds, and VR gives us so many more tools to play with.

[coltonarabsky]

I’m not a VR believer (yet) but games like these are the type that will turn me into one! Great video and breakdown

[thelockpickingspoon]

I love this game, also how you described it is pretty much on point. The game is terrifying, you never know when you're safe outside of vanno, you could be walking into a literal minefield of anomalies. The immersion is fantastic

[buckymayer]

Gimme all your VR recommendations as a reply to this! I'm excited to find some hidden gems! Thanks for watching <3!

[LimbaZero]

I have to say I love into the radius. I also like to play No Man's Sky, Red Matter 1&2, Saints & Sinners, and Master Bladesmith. Classic FO4VR and Skyrim VR has been nice time sinks. Other area where VR is increasing experience is horror games. I tested only few levels of Phasmophobia and it was enough for me. Also first night in "The Forest" was nope. After some time I played with my friends and it wasn't that much horror experience anymore because you have friends with you there. With VR violent games also got more immersive (blood trail, hard bullet, and blade and sorcery) .
I hope adult entertainment will push VR forward. there are few nice games coming.

[rthur.]

I feel like Green Hell is another honourable mention. After playing the pc version, I thought how hard could it be?

_Oh, man, was I wrong!!_

Even though I knew how the story and all the game features. The VR immersion still made it a new experience. The idea of collecting resources and creating something out of nothing for survival is quite thrilling. Checking on your health, diet, every small decision you make has gigantic consequences. Something simple as taking the wrong path and stepping into dangerous territory. VR makes the game live up to its title.

I believe any genre can be adapted into VR, we just have to consider the pros and limitations of each. As you stated, the problem right now is marketing and target audience. You either like FPS or Immersive environments with cool interactions. Outside of gaming, what else can VR do? And who is the target audience? Gaming has always been marketed as child-friendly, but with VR that is not the case, and that has left a huge gap to fill.

You want to avoid making this device too much child-friendly, like a video game console, or make it another social 'techy' device designed for adults. I feel VR is the creative bridge that can “cross-platform” different game genres and styles and welcome everyone into one immersive world.

[waderobinson]

For the most part this is right. But I think it under estimates how many people just want the same gaming experience but with 3d. Such as contractors. There are certain times in certain games where the ability to just press x to reload instead of doing the action can feel very nice instead of doing it. Left 4 Dead 2 VR mod is a great example of pressing a button to reload and another to melee feels great because the gameplay happens so fast, that the controls wont set people up to fail and have the ability to enjoy the game without sweating. I think its a 50-50 split of VR people who like to play sweating vs sitting/ chilling
Although I do wish I could do the actions when playing Versus as a zombie in L4D2 lol

[jazzdirt]

VTOL VR is a good example of a game using the medium right... I liked the "I expect you to die" games, but there's not much replay-ability there.
And things like Vinyl Reality and TribeXR are great ways to use the medium... But not really games per se...