It appears that Valve is in the process of building three virtual reality titles. According to Gabe Newell, these three games are not experimental and are not designed as prototypes. All three are confirmed to be full games, not small pieces designed to show off the HTC Vive.
“VR Isn’t a Gimmick”
Newell opined that VR is not a gimmick by saying: “It feels like we’ve been stuck with mouse and keyboard for a reeeaaally long time and that the opportunities to build much more interesting kinds of experiences for gamers were there, we just need to sort of expand what we can do. But it’s not about being in hardware, it’s about building better games.”
Don’t Go Looking for Half-Life 2 in VR
If you’re wondering if Half-Life 2 will be headed to VR, don’t because it’s not. Newell said that taking already present work and stuffing it into a virtual reality space is just not a great idea. “It’s about making better games.”
Of course, better games with new IPs with what is right now cutting-edge tech also means a bigger price tag. Newell and his team at Valve aren’t much interested in making something that suits low-end systems or hardware since he believes that ramping it up to its top capabilities becomes paramount.
What We Think
The time is right for Virtual Reality and for it to take center stage in gaming development. While not common among a broad spectrum of gamers, it certainly is the future and it’s time to embrace it.
Want to know more? Head on over to Eurogamer to read the full interview.
rocrom
I offer that it isn’t that the time is right, it’s that it’s imperative. The platform as a whole desperately needs that “killer app” for it to be a viable platform. So very very few are wanting to spend that kind of money on nothing but a bunch of short demos that show the potential of the platform.
I’m optimistic about Resident Evil 7 on PSVR for making that first step towards providing AAA content in VR. To be fair, some of the racers are pretty solid on other platforms as well so I guess RE7 isn’t the ONLY one, but Gabe making this statement is important. If Valve can start making good games again, and start really reaching the potential of VR then we’ll see it grow. Otherwise I am fearful it may just be another flash in the pan, to lay dormant for another 15 years before making a resurgence.
William Murphy
I think you’re right. Right now, VR is not doing what everyone predicted. PSVR might be doing OK, but the comfort problem is still huge – both in terms of wearing the device and stomaching it.