GDC 2018 (Game Developer Conference) takes place from March 19 to March 23, 2018, at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California. This annual conference is the world’s largest video gaming industry event for professionals. As expected, many new features have been announced for virtual and augmented reality.Video games, devices, software tools … discover all the announcements of the GDC 2018 VR and AR.
For 32 years, the Game Developer Conference has been held every year to allow professionals in the video game industry to discover the latest innovations and build partnerships. Conferences, debates, networking events … the GDC is the annual meeting of the video game pros. This 2018 edition brings together more than 750 conferences and 550 exhibitors.
In addition, for five years, on the sidelines of the GDC, stands the VRDC (Virtual Reality Developer Conference). This conference is entirely dedicated to virtual and augmented reality. Thus, the market leaders are present to present their latest software and hardware inventions.
Following the success of the VRDC, GDC announces the XRDC, a new event entirely dedicated to the innovations of virtual, augmented and mixed reality that will take place for the first time at the end of October 2018 at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco. In the meantime, here are the main announcements of the GDC 2018 VR AR.
GDC 2018 VR: all the new features for virtual reality
The leaders of the virtual reality market such as Google and HTC were present at the GDC 2018 to make some shattering announcements. Several promising VR games have also been unveiled by developers.
VR games unveiled at 2018 Game Developer Conference
Several virtual reality games have been featured in the GDC 2018. Some have been long-awaited, others are more unexpected surprises. Here are some of the most memorable virtual reality games in the conference.
Budget Cuts
Since the launch of the HTC Vive in April 2016, users of the Taiwanese headphones are languishing in front of the playable demo of the game Budget Cuts. Developed by the Swedish studio Neat Corporation, this title is presented as an FPS-type game in which the player fights robots gone crazy.
The game is distinguished by a fully interactive environment in which all elements can be manipulated, and by an ingenious teleportation system that manages to preserve the feeling of immersion. After two years of waiting, Neat Corporation has finally announced the release date of Budget Cuts in a full version. The title will be available May 16, 2018, on Steam and Oculus Store for about 30 euros, and will offer a life of about eight hours.
Dr. Splorchy Presents: Space Heroes
Another landmark VR Gaming announcement made at GDC 2018 is the partnership between Google and Squanch Games. The two companies will partner to create experimental VR games for the Google Daydream platform. The first fruit of this association will be the game Dr. Splorchy Presents Space Heroes.
Few details have been released about this title yet, but the first trailer announces a hilarious experience. Unfortunately, this game will be offered exclusively on Daydream helmets that are not available in France at the moment. The release date and price have not been announced.
Pixel Ripped 1989
The most promising VR game presented at the GDC 2018 is certainly Pixel Ripped 1989. Much like the film Ready Player One, this title plays the card of nostalgia by directly plunging the player into the atmosphere of the late 80s. This is a game created by Ana Ribeiro, a Brazilian passionate about video games since his childhood.
But playing the various retro games offered in recent years, the young woman realized that these games are content to restore the gaming experience of the time by ignoring the atmosphere. Indeed, your childhood memories of video games are probably accompanied by images of your real environment then.
In Pixel Ripped 1989, the player embodies Nicola, a schoolgirl passionate about video games and directly inspired by the childhood of Ana Ribeiro. The user must progress in a retro game on a portable console, but also interact with the character’s environment. For example, in the first level, the goal is to play Pixel Ripped on a Gameboy-like device in a classroom, regularly looking up to make sure that the teacher’s back is turned.
This mise en abyme should delight the children of the 80/90 become adults. After four years of development, Pixel Ripped 1989 will be available on May 22, 2018, on PSVR, Oculus Rift, and HTC Vive.
Catan VR
No longer present The Settlers of Catania, one of the most popular board games of recent decades. Already adapted to PC and mobile many times, the title will finally be worn in virtual reality.
Very successful, this adaptation is illustrated by a beautifully animated game board, an intuitive and ingenious interface, and social features allowing players to interact around the table as during a board game in the real world. Catan VR is available from March 21, 2018, on Oculus Rift (€ 14.99) and Gear VR (€ 9.99) .
Other VR ads from the 2018 Game Developer Conference
In addition to video game ads, several VR tools for developers have been unveiled. However, the most prominent announcement of the 2018 GDC VR side is the release date of the HTC Vive Pro … and the price drop of the original HTC Vive.
HTC Vive price and release date, HTC Vive price drop
Originally unveiled at CES 2018, the HTC Vive Pro is an improved version of HTC Vive. This new model is distinguished by improved ergonomics, a built-in headphone, but especially a screen resolution of 2880 x 1600 against 2160◊1200 for the original HTC Vive.
As part of the GDC 2018, the price and release date of the HTC Vive Pro has finally been confirmed. This new VR helmet will be available from April 5, 2018, for $ 800. Preorders are open now.
It is funny to note that the price of the Vive Pro is the same as the Vive when it was released in April 2016. However, following the launch of this new product, the HTC Vive first name drops in price and goes to 500 dollars from the present. If you are not a professional who needs a very detailed picture definition, we recommend you to crack for the original HTC Vive.
Oculus Hardware Reports, a data platform for Rift and Gear VR
Oculus was also present at GDC 2018 and respected the theme of the event by unveiling a tool exclusively for developers. The Oculus Hardware Reports platform provides aggregated statistics on the Oculus Rift and Samsung Gear VR.
For example, it is possible to know which processors, graphics cards and operating systems most used by Rift owners, or the size of their play spaces. This platform is accessible to all but is intended primarily for developers who can rely on statistics to make more relevant decisions and adapt their games to the configurations of players.
Sketchfab Download API allows you to download 3D models without leaving a game engine
For several years now, Sketchfab has been one of the main platforms for exchanging 3D models. Many VR game developers download templates on Sketchfab to quickly create characters or objects for their projects. However, until now it was necessary to go to the Sketchfab website to browse the available content and download templates.
As part of the GDC 2018, Sketchfab has unveiled the Download API. This tool will greatly facilitate the lives of developers since it allows you to browse the catalog of 3D models and download content without having to leave the game engine or the VR application on which you work.
This powerful search engine is currently compatible with Unity, Unreal, Godot, Torch3D, Mindsight, Spatial Stores, Selerio, StellarX, Holobeam, AnimVR, Platter, Sketchbox3D and Looking Glass. Partnerships with Amazon Sumerian, Substance, Modo, High Fidelity, Sansar, The VR War, Masterpiece VR and Meta are also under negotiation.
Disney Research Project Cardinal transforms scripts into VR animations
Disney Research was present at GDC 2018 to unveil its Project Cardinal. This awesome software tool is able to turn textual scripts into animated previews into virtual reality. Using natural language processing technology, Cardinal automatically generates VR animations from simple text.
This tool will greatly accelerate the creation of animation films in virtual reality. Thereafter, Disney Research plans to improve its software to make it usable by the entire film industry and beyond.
GDC 2018 AR: all the novelties for augmented reality
Virtual reality was in the spotlight during this 2018 GDC / VRDC. However, augmented reality was not left out and some of the most exciting announcements are in this area.
AR games unveiled at 2018 Game Developer Conference
Launched in 2017, Google ARCore and Apple ARKit Augmented Reality Mobile Application Development Kits are a hit with developers. After a few months of experimentation, ambitious projects are finally starting to emerge on the Android Play Store and the iOS App Store. Several very interesting AR games were featured at GDC 2018.
Warhammer: Age of Sigmar
Already known for its Lightseekers augmented reality card game, PlayFusion took advantage of the GDC to announce Warhammer: Age of Sigmar. This trading card game from the famous Warhammer license offers a very interesting concept that combines real and virtual.
Users will be able to purchase collectible cards in the real world, and then scan them using their Android or iOS smartphones through PlayFusion’s Enhanced Reality Engine to play augmented reality. Note that the game will also be offered on PC.
For now, we do not know what the rules are, but it will probably be a card game in the tradition of Magic the Gathering. The game will be available in July 2018.
Bait! Under the Surface
Developed by Revolution Games, the fishing game VR Bait! is one of the biggest successes of mobile virtual reality. The developer is now tackling augmented reality with Bait! Under the Surface.
This suite allows simply fishing in augmented reality. The user uses his smartphone to create virtual fishing spots in the real world and indulges in his favorite hobby with complete peace of mind. Developed with Google ARCore and Apple ARKit, the game will be available in the course of 2018 on Android and iOS.
My Tamagotchi Forever
Google took advantage of the Game Developer Conference 2018 to highlight the best applications created with its platform ARCore, now compatible with a dozen different smartphones for a total of 100 million devices in circulation. Among the applications put forward is My Tamagotchi Forever. Developed by Bandai Namco, the game proposes to educate Tamagotchi and create a small virtual city in augmented reality.
Tender
Developed by Tender Claws, TendAR is an augmented reality application for interacting with a virtual fish that reacts to the user’s facial expressions and feeds on emotions. Developed with Google ARCore, the game also relies on the Google Cloud API’s computer vision and object discovery technologies. The title is expected for the month of July 2018.
Walking Dead Our World
This augmented reality game developed with Google ARCore is from the famous The Walking Dead series. The player must defend his encampment against walkers in his real environment. The game relies on the Google Maps API to provide a similar Pokémon Go experience and will be available in the second quarter of 2018.
Just a Line
Just a Line is an experimental application for drawing in augmented reality. As part of the GDC 2018, Google announces the opening of the source code of this application.
eBay AR
It’s not a game, but this exciting new feature created by eBay with Google ARCore is also one of the projects put forward by Google at the GDC. It simply allows eBay sellers to choose the right packaging for their parcels through Augmented Reality.
The other AR ads from the Game Developer Conference 2018
In addition to game ads, new developer tools were introduced by the emerging augmented reality market leaders. Google and Magic Leap were part of the game.
Google Maps API allows anyone to create games like Pokemon Go
Everyone has played Pokémon Go, and everyone will soon be able to create their own Pokémon Go. As part of the Google Developer Day GDC 2018. Google has announced the availability of its Google Maps API for developers around the world.
Combined with Google ARCore, this API will allow creating games in augmented reality “location-based” with Unity. Developers will be able to embed interactive elements on the Google Maps World Map. So, allowing players to experience a different experience based on their geographic locations. Three examples of games created with ARCore, Maps API. And Unity have been put forward: Walking Dead Our World, Jurassic World Alive and Ghostbusters World.
Magic Leap Creator Portal allows developers to start creating apps
In the augmented reality market, the Magic Leap One is one of the most anticipated devices. This promising augmented reality headset should offer a bluffing mix of real and virtual.
As part of GDC 2018, Magic Leap launched its Creator Portal. This resource suite allows developers to start creating AR content for the Magic Leap One.
The main component is the Lumin SDK, compatible with Unity and Unreal. For now, there are many bugs and all the features are not yet available, but ambitious developers can launch. And share on a dedicated forum. It will soon be possible to share his creations in the Magic Leap World Marketplace.
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