New Zealand-based videogame studio Runaway is making its first foray into virtual reality (VR) with Flutter VR, a relaxing trip through the Amazon Rainforest to encounter butterflies and other creatures who make the dense jungle their home.
Runaway says its aim was to create a VR experience aimed at women and other groups who are often underserved by mainstream videogames. As a result, they have created a relaxing, meditative experience that contains no violence or conflict that lets users immerse themselves into a new environment.
Flutter VR was created in the versatile Unity game engine for Google Daydream with the aim of making the experience accessible for people with disabilities and limited mobility. Flutter VR has been tested in conjunction with Southern Rehab, an organisation that works on rehabilitation. Though extensive user testing, a special soundtrack was developed that used autonomous sensory meridian response, or ASMR, to increase the relaxation effect.
Users will be able to find, examine and photograph butterfly species who have been realistically modelled based on real species, including behavioural cues. An active day and night cycle allows an entirely new set of wildlife to emerge after dark.
“Flutter VR is unapologetically a game made for women. As a studio team, this project design, coupled with our past experiences has honed our focus on ensuring we make VR experiences that are accessible to all and have a positive effect on players. It’s all too easy for us as developers to design for the world we are accustomed to living in, in the way we are used to experiencing it. It takes effort to go beyond that. We believe it’s worth it. Game audiences will benefit and grow. VR as a medium will benefit and grow, too,“ said Emma Johansson, Creative Director at Runaway.
Flutter VR will be available for download from the Google Play Store from 11th December, 2017. A short trailer is available to view below.
VRFocus will bring you further news on Flutter VR as it becomes available.
via Mint VR