Exploring the Balancing Act of VR Gaming: Insights from Shawn Kittelsen
Shawn Kittelsen, creative director at Skydance Interactive, is acutely aware of the essential compromises between quality visuals and seamless performance in crafting engaging virtual reality (VR) experiences. The studio’s latest release, Behemoth, showcases how players step into a VR universe to confront colossal monsters.
The Release Landscape of Behemoth
Now accessible on platforms such as PlayStation VR 2, PCVR, and Meta Quest headsets, Behemoth has recently rolled out an update to enhance user experience. At last week’s Dice Summit in Las Vegas, I had the opportunity to speak with Kittelsen about the hurdles involved in developing VR titles that perform reliably across different hardware configurations.
A Truly Immersive Experience
I experienced Behemoth firsthand last year; its ability to convey scale was remarkable. Combat scenarios felt reminiscent of tackling legendary creatures like those seen in games such as Shadow of the Colossus—where you must evade attacks while strategically climbing towering foes. In this setting, it genuinely feels like you’re swinging formidable weapons or brandishing massive swords using both hands.
Innovative Gameplay Mechanics
The first-person action-adventure title retails for $40 and marks a significant milestone for Skydance following their acclaimed work on The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners series. It marries intensive hand-to-hand combat with traversal mechanics while presenting environmental puzzles and epic encounters against titanic bosses. Players are also faced with swift human-sized adversaries equipped with swords—confrontations that are always fiercely engaging.
A Commitment to Virtual Realism
Brought forth by Skydance’s hallmark creative vision and technical expertise, Behemoth introduces an unparalleled sense of realism through weighty interactions and physics-based gameplay mechanics. This level of immersion profoundly enhances everything from fighting tactics to exploration and problem-solving within the game universe—a feat requiring extensive technological advancements according to Kittelsen.
The Future Endeavors at Skydance Games
Skydance Interactive is expanding its offerings under the guidance of industry veterans including Amy Hennig (known for her contributions to franchises like Uncharted) and Julian Beak (associated with Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra). Additionally, they are actively engaging in interactive licensing alongside transmedia storytelling projects.
An Inside Look at Development Progress
GamesBeat: How has everything been progressing?
Kittelsen: We’re making strides! Having launched our title last December alongside our second crucial patch just yesterday—it’s a hectic yet exciting time! We’re dedicated to enhancing quality-of-life within gameplay based on community feedback while planning several surprises throughout this year’s roadmap—all while being honored nominations for both VR Game of the Year and Technical Achievement categories!
Pushing Performance Limits
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Kittelsen takes immense pride in their game’s technical prowess; achieving native framerate without relying on reprojection techniques sets them apart from many competitors within this realm—it works seamlessly across devices ranging from Quest 2 up through PSVR 2 plus high-spec PCs! This accomplishment is no small feat given how challenging maintaining equitable performance standards across varying capabilities proved during development stages; even Meta acknowledged our efforts maximizing Quest 2’s potential!
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‘ Kittelsen highlights a significant disparity in performance between gaming platforms. The development of their game started with an optimal framework designed for Meta Quest, yet transitioning it to PlayStation 5 introduced layers of complexity related to graphics and audio capabilities. This meant enhancing visual richness rather than just adjusting the rendering resolution. Each platform necessitated distinct implementations for effects, which included duplicating fire animations specifically for mobile devices versus those tailored for desktops and consoles. Such intricate demands on particle effects and shadows vary distinctly across hardware platforms. Reflecting on his extensive experience, Kittelsen mentions that this has been the most challenging aspect of development he’s encountered—surpassing even his work with NetherRealm during the adaptation of Mortal Kombat onto the Nintendo Switch. He compares it to witnessing fascinating feats like Witcher 3 or DOOM being effectively adapted to run on Switch despite its limitations; such achievements reveal an astonishing divergence in performance capabilities. He advises smaller studios lacking substantial resources to consider concentrating their efforts on just one or two platforms instead of attempting broad releases. Looking back at previous console experiences, Kittelsen recalls how similar challenges arose with the Nintendo Wii era roughly 15 years ago when developers crafted separate games suited precisely for that device’s unique hardware. He exemplifies this by referencing different adaptations of the Green Lantern movie game; while one version was created for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 featuring advanced graphics, another completely distinct iteration was developed specifically for Wii—illustrating how drastically experiences varied based upon hardware capabilities. Today’s players demand coherent gaming experiences regardless of their chosen platform, which played a crucial role in Kittelsen’s team’s vision. They resisted making compromises that could have simplified achieving graphical fidelity on Quest by opting instead for technologies such as asynchronous spacewarp—keeping consistency at heart since any deviation would alter gameplay feel across devices significantly. When questioned about prospective synergies among new console generations like a potential Switch successor running complex titles such as Call of Duty seamlessly alongside others, Kittelsen expresses optimism regarding a temporary overlap uniting various technologies over time due largely to rapid advancements seen within mobile processing capabilities compared against traditional desktop GPUs where efficiency improvements often yield minimal gains. 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As technology advances, we may witness a remarkable merging of augmented and virtual realities that cater to user preferences. Currently, most users of head-mounted displays experience a sense of disconnection from their surroundings. However, this could change as future designs allow for seamless transitions between mixed reality and fully immersive modes without complete isolation. Maintaining peripheral awareness may become more appealing to many individuals, addressing one common hesitance surrounding VR—concerns about being cut off from the world outside. GamesBeat: Are there any plans for integrating game-related functions into this technology? Kittelsen: Our primary agenda at Skydance Interactive remains centered on enhancing head-mounted display capabilities alongside traditional touch controls. We have yet to delve deeply into hand-tracking technologies as we’ve prioritized core gameplay experiences with high fidelity expectations that current tracking systems can’t satisfy adequately yet. As we improve our hand-tracking techniques, we’ll be better positioned to explore mixed reality applications further. Kittelsen: This system offers tactile feedback through active resistance during interactions? GamesBeat: Exactly! It provides resistance based on the objects you’re interacting with. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to remember that VR is an ever-evolving medium; careful consideration is required when deciding which features should be prioritized. Kittelsen: We’re adapting based on player feedback which reveals a wide-ranging spectrum within today’s VR audience. When we launched Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners five years ago, our target market mostly consisted of hardcore early adopters passionate about PC-based VR games demanding physically challenging experiences like Lone Echo or Echo Arena. This landscape has shifted dramatically; many newcomers express interest in immersing themselves in VR without the need for intense physical activity—potentially due to personal limitations or health considerations. This escalating focus on accessibility necessitates discussions about content variety tailored for all users—spanning from engaging passive encounters all the way up to rigorous fitness-oriented challenges. GamesBeat: What approach will you take towards varying your content offerings? ” Kittelsen: In the short term, it’s uncertain how expansive our reach will be; however, presently we’re concentrated on refining core gaming elements while expanding access points for broader audiences within these foundational games. For instance, while Behemoth features some apex levels of physical engagement in gameplay today, future titles will likely incorporate adjustable modes catering specifically to diverse player demands. Our vision is focused on creating captivating narrative-driven experiences where players feel like they are influencing their environment rather than merely reacting to it—and how do we facilitate this sense even for those who might struggle with extended physical exertion? Concurrently serving those craving intense scenarios continues driving innovation forward as well—we aim at an experience reminiscent not just bordering either extreme but aligning somewhere between interactive theme park rides and immersive storytelling akin to what you’d find depicted in cinematic worlds like Westworld. GamesBeat: How large is your current team dedicated to virtual reality? Kittelsen: We currently have around 100 individuals on our VR team. Our approach is to function as a multi-project unit, which is essential in an evolving field like virtual reality. This requires a substantial workforce, both in-house and through external collaborations. It’s crucial not to confine all talents to a single project; instead, we focus on maintaining diverse initiatives at various stages of development. This strategy helps us avoid potential pitfalls that can arise when concentrating resources too heavily on one title. Having meaningful tasks available ensures that our teams stay engaged and productive. Many studios have faced challenges because of rapid expansion; we’re intentionally cautious about growth and prefer a slow, strategic hiring process guided by the specific needs of each project. GamesBeat: Can you provide any updates about future projects on the horizon? Kittelsen: At this point, we can only disclose ongoing projects related to Behemoth. However, I assure you there are exciting developments underway! Our team is delving into innovative technologies and exploring new ideas within immersive gaming experiences. Skydance Interactive aims to redefine what immersive games encompass, promising an expanded vision for years ahead. For those keen on staying ahead in the business world, VB Daily delivers valuable insights into how companies leverage generative AI technology across diverse contexts—from regulatory changes to practical applications—enabling you to glean critical information that boosts ROI.The Challenge of High Fidelity Across Different Devices
A Tough Development Environment
Historical Context: Analyzing Past Consoles
User Expectations: A Unified Experience
Looking Toward Future Developments
Conclusion: Immersion in Virtual Reality Expands Horizons
Shaping the Future of Wearable Technology in Gaming
From Isolation to Integration: The Future of Head-Mounted Displays
The Path Ahead for Game Development
The Challenges of Hand-Tracking Innovations
Diverse Expectations Among Modern VR Players
Navigating Content Variety Across Different Experiences
Aiming for Immersive Engagements Tailored by Player Abilities
Exploring the Dynamic Landscape of VR Development at Skydance Interactive
The Growing Team Behind Immersive Gaming
Upcoming Projects in the Pipeline
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