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'Phantom Covert Ops' is VR Splinter Cell in a kayak
One of the biggest shortcomings with today's VR games is the fact that there's nothing to do with your legs. Virtually no titles enable players to walk around freely, instead opting for teleportation gimmicks or handheld movement controls. But Phantom Covert Ops takes a more unique approach: the game removes the need for you to use your legs by taking place entirely in a kayak.
nDreams invites Oculus Rift and Project Morpheus to attend The Assembly
PlayStation Home content developer nDreams will be opening the door to a world of scientific discovery, experimentation and what can only be described as a seriously hostile work environment with its newly-announced game, The Assembly. Built for Oculus Rift and Sony's Project Morpheus, the game will have players solving puzzles and exploring the pristine halls of a fictional company - called The Assembly - that nDreams described to Joystiq as "Google gone rogue." We're not sure how far Google is from dissecting crows and sticking ominous devices that flash red onto the necks of mannequins, but hopefully nDreams' hypothetical comparison remains hypothetical.
Skydieving creator nDreams has PS4, Oculus Rift plans for 2014
Developer nDreams made its name creating items for PlayStation Home, grew to cult fame with the debut of "Oculus Rift experimental-game-demo-falling simulator-game thing" Skydieving, and now hopes to jump into the mainstream spotlight with full-fledged PlayStation 4 and Oculus Rift projects in the works. "I'm delighted to be able to officially announce that we are working on a PlayStation 4 title, which will launch in 2014," the studio states in a message to its investors. "More details will follow next year, but it's the most ambitious game we have ever created, and we can't wait to reveal more about it – it's going to be something truly special." While Skydieving was less a game and more a test of the Oculus Rift's capabilities, nDreams sees a bright future for the would-be virtual reality headset. "We're also working on a game for the awesome Oculus Rift. VR is an area of technology that we believe will finally come of age in 2014, and you'll see us investing a great deal of time and money into it," the studio writes. "The technology capable of making VR work properly has finally arrived." Alongside these big projects, nDreams will continue to create PlayStation Home items, as well as three games planned for release on mobile devices.
Develop: Is PlayStation Home the next great game development platform?
These days, every developer and their brother seems to be making a beeline for hot new gaming platforms like Facebook and the iPhone, visions of Farmville- and Doodle-Jump-style riches dancing in their heads. But nDreams CEO Patrick O'Luanaigh says all these gold rushers might be ignoring a more welcoming and neglected platform for their gaming projects: PlayStation Home.
New Home space from Xi creators coming Thursday
The mysterious Xi event which appeared briefly in PlayStation Home was one of the neatest applications of Sony's online life-sim we've seen to date. Sadly, the Xi space is no longer available, and the only evidence of its existence are a few small trophies and old, empty walkthrough forum posts.However, a tweet from Xi creator nDreams' CEO Patrick O'Luanaigh might be a sign of good things to come. In his own, tweeted words: "Off on holiday this week, but our next Home space should be out on Thursday.... should be fun ;)" What does that last symbol mean? We're not sure. Is it a harmless, naughty wink? Or is it a clue? Guess we'll find out in a couple days.[Via CVG]
Xi update: new areas, games and mysteries
Xi's been going on for a little over two weeks now and, since its launch, has grown substantially in scope. While the ARGish puzzles at the start were fun, the games that have been revealed since then now rival every other Home space available. So far, at least. The first teleporter in the Hub is now open and will lead you to three gaming rooms.The first one tasks you with completing a series of six minigames and then reaching the exit as quickly as possible. In another room you'll find Maximum Tilt -- a virtual reality hoverbike game -- and in another resides an old school adventure game called Caverns Of The Bandit King. From the looks of things, Xi will continue to reveal itself and, hopefully, more games such of these.The overarching mystery of Xi has also expanded, spilling over into the real world. It's at this point that it becomes a collaborative effort to discover what's going on, so head on over to the official US or European Home forums, or the in-Xi forum via the Online Gateway, and get involved. Or you could just sit back and enjoy the games while everyone else figures it all out. Either works.
nDreams reveals casual episodic game aimed at women
Casual game studio nDreams announced today that another announcement is on its way July 5 to reveal its new game, Venus Redemption. The casual adventure game aimed at women will have episodic content authored by Kate Pullinger to create "powerful storylines, deep characters, emotion-based interactive conversations and exciting adventure gameplay."With the increase of female gamers in the casual games field, it's no surprise developers are attempting to tap the new market. But is gender targeting necessary? A good game is a good game and will be enjoyed by men and women alike. Hopefully nDreams won't drench this game in "female themes" and alienate countless potential players.[Via GameDaily]
