Global VR Challenge: The PC VR contenders
After receiving 80 entries for the Global VR Challenge, the shortlist is now down to 22 games.
The competition was created by Steel Media, publisher of Pocket Gamer, in association with China’s leading VR company, DeePoon.
The goal is to identify the best new VR games development talent and concepts from the UK, Europe and the rest of the world, and help bring them to the world’s biggest VR market, China.
The challengers
To get you more acquainted with the remaining contenders, we're shining a spotlight on all the games still in with a chance of winning from the $35,000 prize pool.
In this you'll get a sneak peek at the 11 games being developed exclusively for VR on PC.
We've already profiled 11 games targetting mobile VR.
Please note that many of these games are still a work in progress.
You can find out more about the Global VR Challenge here.
#1: Alice VR
Developer: Klabater
Where: Poland
Platforms: PC
Genre: Adventure
Game engine: Unreal Engine
A spaceship failure forces you to land on an alien planet to replenish the graphene supply. The simple task gets complicated when you realise that all the planet’s citizens have disappeared in mysterious circumstances.
In this first-person exploration sci-fi adventure, you'll have to deal with many exciting puzzles and make decisions that will directly influence the future of the planet and its habitants.
The developer plans to implement puzzles that feature growing and shrinking, the ability to walk on walls and multiple paths leading to different endings.
#2: Cloudlands: VR Minigolf
Developer: Futuretown
Where: Canada
Platforms: PC
Genre: Sport
Game Engine: Unity
Cloudlands: VR Minigolf uses the HTC Vive’s room scale technology and control setup to let you live out the minigolf experience in their own home.
Players are transportred to an island archipelago above the clouds, where there are ball cannons, floating bridges and multi-level golf courses.
Futuretown also aims to add four-player online multiplayer with fully integrated voice chat, as well as the ability to take turns in local multiplayer.
#3: Flying Aces VR
Developer: VR-gameplay.com
Where: UK
Platforms: PC
Genre: Shooter
Game Engine: Unity
Flying Aces VR is a flight sim/combat game set during World War 1, built from the ground up specifically for virtual reality.
Take to the skies and experience the birth and rise of aerial combat during the Great War.
Develop and test your piloting, gunning and bombing skills in structured missions, and lead your side to victory from above.
#4: HordeZ
Developer: Zenz VR
Where: Sweden
Platforms: PC
Genre: Shooter
Game Engine: Unity
This on-rails survival VR shooter offers fast and simple gameplay that immerses you in a creepy world of zombies and demons.
As well as a single-player option, plans are afoot to ensure full multiplayer support for the final game so players can push back the zombie horde with their friends.
#5: Kittypocalyse
Developer: Bolverk VR Games
Where: Denmark
Platforms: PC
Genre: Strategy
Game Engine: Unity
Evil aliens have begun taking over the planet by disguising themselves as kittens.
Your job is to repel wave after wave of cute but deadly kittens across 15 islands.
The game is set to feature over 50 weapon upgrades, a unique control system to survey the map and plan your tower defence strategy, and 15 unique locations.
#6: Lightblade VR
Developer: Andreas Hager Gaming
Where: Germany
Platforms: PC
Genre: Action
Game Engine: Unreal Engine
Lightblade VR is a virtual reality training simulation for self-illuminated plasma blades.
Trained by your personal robot, you must deflect all incoming laser beams using Vive’s unique controllers and perfect your score.
Players can fight with one or two blades as they master four different training modes and extra challenges. Blades come in five different colours and four hilt variations.
#7: QUBE 2
Developer: Toxic Games
Where: UK
Platforms: PC
Genre: Puzzle / Platformer
Game Engine: Unreal Engine
QUBE 2 tells the tale of a survivor who traverses an ever-changing QUBE world, that adapts not only to their actions, but also to their memories; their self.
The player is able to directly manipulate the environment in order to complete puzzles. This involves rotating entire rooms and placing coloured cubes in order to navigate and complete levels.
There are only two inputs that allow the player to control the environment, but because the environment is constantly changing, this opens up many new gameplay possibilities and new mechanics.
#8: Reflections
Developer: Broken Window Studios
Where: USA
Platforms: PC
Genre: Simulator
Game Engine: Unity
Reflections is a first-person, narrative exploration game where the actions you take affect the outcome of your life.
Every action has meaningful consequences that can radically shape the experience.
This "butterfly effect" is represented by the game's unique colour mechanic, which flushes the black and white world with colour based on each interaction, illustrating your progress and providing clues to what your future might hold.
In Reflections, you can explore life goals, relationships and the philosophical implications of choice in this very unique approach to branching narrative.
#9: Stifled
Developer: Gattai Games
Where: Singapore
Platforms: PC
Genre: Stealth
Game Engine: Unity
Stifled is a microphone-enabled sound-based survival game, where sound is the only way you see.
But sounds made by your in-game character or yourself through the mic can also be heard by enemies.
To survive, you will have to tread the line between making sounds to see, and keeping quiet to stay hidden.
#10: The Town of Light
Developer: LKA
Where: Italy
Platforms: PC
Genre: Adventure
Game Engine: Unity
The Town of Light is a first-person psychological adventure set in the first half of the 20th Century in Italy.
Exploring and interacting with the environment, you will relive the history of the main character through her confused viewpoint.
Influenced by your choices, the story will develop in different ways.
#11: Vantage Point
Developer: Coatsink
Where: UK
Platforms: PC
Genre: Stealth
Game Engine: Unity
Vantage Point is a cooperative multiplayer stealth game that challenges players on their communication skills.
The goal is to reach the explore of a dangerous environment locating vital intel and items without being spotted by the enemy.
One player will play the role of the Infiltrator, who will wear the headset and explore the area.
The other player, the Navigator, is shown a map of the facility and the position of the Infiltrator, items and enemies. It is the Navigator’s job to guide the Infiltrator to objectives and ensure they are not caught.
