VR Only Interface?

[TechLord]

@Slayemin;640171

I have a VR game I’ve been working on for almost two years. I initially thought it would be smart to support VR and traditional mouse and keyboard. I have released my game to the market, thinking I would have more sales because I support non-VR gamers as well. Turns out, that’s totally wrong. Everyone thinks the game is a VR game, so only people with VR headsets buy the game. But, that’s okay.

I have been struggling to continue supporting monitor and mouse/keyboard. The challenge is that the game is designed specifically around VR and motion controllers, and if someone is using keyboard and mouse, I have to step the designs backwards to support them. For example, the player can throw a fireball with their motion controllers. The velocity of the fireball is dependent on how hard you throw it, and the longer you charge the fireball, the more explosive it gets. How do you do that with just a mouse click? Well, you have to have a fixed speed for the fireball velocity. In addition, you can have a spell in each hand, and each spell can have a separate target. To select a target, you just point your hand at your next victim. How would I do that with mouse and keyboard? I can’t. As soon as you select one target for your left hand, the right hand would switch to the same target. Then, there are other spells which make heavy use of hand interactions as well. To cast a tornado, you create a mass of stationary air, grab it with your hands, and then give it some spin by twisting and releasing your hands. To finally launch the tornado, you stand on one side of it and then give it a push in the direction you want it to go. This is how the game play experience is designed and it feels amazing. Going back to support keystrokes and mouse movements is extremely limiting for game design and mechanics.

So, if only VR gamers buy my game, why waste time adding support for an input and gameplay method nobody is going to use?

Hi Slayemin, thanks for sharing your experience. I’m curious about your game, where can I find more information about it?

I’m thinking that perhaps how the game is advertised is giving the impression of VR only? Is the emphasis on VR? There are a lot of cool games coming out that give the impression VR only, but, I would really like try them without VR firstly. In fact, working with UnrealEd with Traditional Controls is one of the reasons why I’m purchasing a VR setup now to start my development in VR. It’s my belief that its not just a matter of supporting Non-VR Players, its an issue of backwards compatibility with the Players. Easing players into VR from traditional controls. This compatibility is whats going to help players make the investment and transition into VR.

I can understand where you’re coming from with the example of throwing fireballs, but, my interpretation is that mechanic requires motion controllers, not a VR headset, which is still a way to ease Players into investing in VR gear. I still think Translating that motion mechanic for use with a mouse to the best of ones ability is worth the investment in development time to put the product in reach of Non-VR users who can later be converted to VR Only users. Until the price point falls on VR and more players are using it, adding Traditional controls is worth development time.