Case study

VR-iX multiplayer shooter game

Entertainment
Game Development and VR

Location:

Ukraine, Lviv

Industry:

Entertainment

Partnership period:

May 2015 - present

VR-iX is a unique combination of a multiplayer classic shooter game and a virtual reality technology. It was produced and released by N-iX game developers to explore the possibilities of Photon multiplayer platform and Unity game engine in VR.

VR shooter
Real-time multiplayer
HTC Vive, Oculus, PS VR, Gear VR support

Gameplay and features

VR-iX game is set on the pillars high in the sky. The main player has 2 weapons: one for teleporting to the other pillar and one for destroying the pillars under the enemy. The game has a multiplayer component which allows having PvE and PvP battles with other players or a player controlled by AI. The main goal is to stay in the game for as long as possible and destroy the pillars under your opponent.

Combination of VR and Multiplayer
Unity and Photon as main technologies
HTC Vive, Oculus, PS VR, Gear VR support
PvE and PvP modes
Support for up to 4 players in the same battle;
Game levels with physics-based destructible environments.

Challenges

Development of an artificial intelligence (AI) that provides the player with a challenging battle against a virtual opponent;
Creating a lightweight game design that would ensure entertaining interactive experience;
Adjusting the game design to the controllers to make the gameplay feel natural;
Implementing user teleportation using the weapon feature;
Smooth integration of multiplayer with the game dynamics;

From idea to implementation

N-iX performed a number of R&D activities when working on this game. First, we gathered a group of experienced game developers and 3D artists, brainstormed ideas for a multiplayer VR game, and selected top 5 game concepts. Then we created basic prototypes, conducted a playtest and, finally, chose the VR shooter as the best idea.

The team used Unity as the main game engine along with Photon Engine framework for multiplayer functionality. At first, the game supported HTC Vive and Oculus, and later we added PS VR and Gear VR headsets.

Value provided by N-iX

N-iX game developers created a Photon-based shooter VR-iX to showcase their expertise in developing multiplayer games and VR solutions. As a result, the game brings multiplayer shooting to VR in a way that is challenging enough to be fun, but simple enough to work with the complexities of virtual reality controls and spaces.

The team created appealing game art, applied the latest tools and technologies, and implemented support of several VR platforms. Therefore, our experts created an addictive multiplayer game with PvE and PvP modes, built-in AI, and engaging gameplay.