In the video "How NOT to Build a VR Arcade Game" published by GDC, the speaker discusses the development process of creating immersive and engaging virtual reality (VR) arcade games while minimizing motion sickness. The speaker is a co-founder of Major Mega, a company focused on creating arcade machines of the future. Throughout the video, various lessons learned from different stages of development are shared, along with case studies and examples to illustrate the points made.
The speaker starts by discussing the importance of trial and error in creating the perfect VR experience. One of the early projects mentioned is a six degrees of freedom cable coaster, which provided valuable insights into motion sickness and its causes. The key takeaway from this project was the need to balance visual and physical stimuli to prevent motion sickness.
Next, the speaker shares lessons learned from developing motion-based VR experiences. Some of these lessons include the importance of wind direction, the need for visual indicators for motion and heat, and the "fishbowl effect" where players feel self-conscious when wearing a VR headset in public. To address these issues, Major Mega designed enclosed, private spaces for players and developed haptic feedback systems that require a high frame rate of 240 frames per second or greater.
In the development of VR experiences that give players control over motion, the speaker emphasizes the importance of guardrails to keep players on a safe path and not relying on real-world physics. One example provided is the SpongeBob SquarePants VR game, which utilized these lessons to create an engaging and comfortable experience for players.
The speaker also discusses the importance of getting feedback from users and operators, as well as considering accessibility in the design of VR experiences. For instance, Major Mega's Hyperdeck comes with a portable ramp for wheelchair access, while the SpongeBob game relies on operators to make the experience accessible.
In conclusion, the video provides valuable insights into the development of VR arcade games, highlighting the importance of trial and error, user feedback, and balancing visual and physical stimuli to create immersive and comfortable experiences for players.
