Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2 was a 2D real-time strategy game about a science-fiction alternate universe version of Cold War Allies vs Soviets. The base-building mechanic involved collecting funds from captured neutral structures and harvesting resources throughout the map. Ádám Horváth, a fan of the series, with 3D assets created by an artist who goes by the name Slye_Fox, created a VR implementation in Unreal Engine 4.
The interface implementation is quite interesting in particular. It looks almost like someone hovering over a board game, interfacing with the build menu via a virtual hand-held tablet. The game mechanics look quite complete, with even things like enemy AI and supply crates (although think the camera didn't catch when it was actually picked up) implemented. It definitely looks good, and looks like it could form the basis for a full real-time strategy interface for VR.
As much as I love C&C, and as
As much as I love C&C, and as well done as this looks (and with a surprisingly usable interface), I think it still misses the point of VR. VR is all about visual immersion, so that you can really feel as though you are the character, but that’s all completely irrelevant for an RTS. An RTS doesn’t put you in anyone’s shoes; it never tries to be visually immersive (although it certainly can be immersive in other ways). VR in an RTS has no benefit over a traditional mouse/keyboard/monitor, and that’s probably also the case for any game that isn’t strictly first-person.
I disagree that there is a
I disagree that there is a singular purpose for VR. Immersion is definitely an aspect that VR can pretty much serve uniquely, but it could also deliver visual data in a way that n rectangular viewports sitting your desk cannot.
Also, more content is always a plus, especially if the interface is more comfortable to use, with hand, body, head, and maybe even eye tracking being exploited in interesting ways.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Ever played Nuclear
Ever played Nuclear Dawn?
http://store.steampowered.com/app/17710/
It has that first-person element in a RTS approach. I thought it was a very enjoyable game and some funny moments at times.
The overhead command view,
The overhead command view, pointing at stuff and telling it to move and being able to walk above my little minions is exactly why I want VR RTS… now imagine seeing your opponent on the other side of a table all fussing over the board!
VR is only good for
VR is only good for rail-based games and passive “experiences”. The only good thing that will come from this latest, failing VR push is increased GPU power for the masses.
EA & DICE should do this with
EA & DICE should do this with their Frostbyte engine and get twice the performance at half the system resource cost of UE4.
Frostbyte is so far ahead of UE4 it’s ridiculous.
An interesting design, but
An interesting design, but the current unit selection method looks tedious at best.