A podcast about VR game design.

Tune in every two weeks to hear two VR developers talk about the exciting new medium of Virtual Reality. Expect design insights, technical breakdowns, and hot takes that are sure to get angry comments!

 
 

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Episodes release every other Wednesday, with occasional bonus content on off-weeks.

Episode 35: Horizon Worlds (The Metaverse Part 2)

Read the show notes.

[Episode Length: 35:36]

Episodes

Matt Levonian Matt Levonian

S2E01: BoneLab Pro

We kick off season 2 by posting an episode a month after recording it!

(Watch on Youtube)

So anyways, here’s an episode we recorded at the start of November. This marks the start of Season 2 of HMD, which will involve a more sporadic release schedule and less formal content.

Enjoy!

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Matt Levonian Matt Levonian

News Roundup - February 2022

News roundup for February 2022!

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Matt Levonian Matt Levonian

Episode 32: Shadow Point

Today we discuss Shadowpoint, a VR puzzle game with more to offer than initially meets the eye.

Today we discuss Shadow Point, a VR puzzle game with more to offer than initially meets the eye.

Shadow Point (Oculus link)

Music:

Furious Freak by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3791-furious-freak

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Inspired by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspired

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Matt Levonian Matt Levonian

Episode 31: The Room VR

Today we discuss The Room VR: A Dark Matter, a VR puzzle game based on a mobile puzzle game.

Today we discuss The Room VR: A Dark Matter, a VR puzzle game based on a mobile puzzle game.

The Room VR: A Dark Matter (Oculus link)

The Room VR: A Dark Matter (Steam link)

Music:

Furious Freak by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3791-furious-freak

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Inspired by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspired

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Matt Levonian Matt Levonian

Episode 30: Recommendation Royale 2

It’s that time of year again! For new VR players (and experienced players looking for new destinations), we give our top suggestions for games to try.

It’s that time of year again! For new VR players (and experienced players looking for new destinations), we give our top suggestions for games to try.

Games:

Related Episodes:

Music:

Furious Freak by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3791-furious-freak

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Inspired by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspired

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Matt Levonian Matt Levonian

Episode 29: Face to Face: Sensitive content in VR games

Today’s episode was recorded IN PERSON! We react to the strange feeling of recording face to face and chat about the removal of self-harm from SUPERHOT. Get ready to get close, personal, and candid.

Today’s episode was recorded IN PERSON! We react to the strange feeling of recording face to face and chat about the removal of self-harm from SUPERHOT. Get ready to get close, personal, and candid.

Music:

Furious Freak by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3791-furious-freak

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Inspired by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspired

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Read More
Matt Levonian Matt Levonian

SPECIAL - Inside the Minds of Pistol Whip’s Designers

Today is a very special INTERVIEW episode. We talk with two designers from Cloudhead Games, makers of Pistol Whip:

  • Antony Stevens (Writer / Designer)

  • Daniel Taylor (Lead Level Designer)

What is it like to be a designer for a best-selling VR game? What’s the process behind designing a Pistol Whip level? We get into the nitty gritty details of VR game development with our guests.

Pistol Whip

Cloudhead Discord

Timestamps

1:00 - Antony and Daniel's Journey to Cloudhead

9:17 - Cloudhead on the Cutting Edge

17:18 - The Origin of Pistol Whip

31:00 - Changing plans for Pistol Whip after launch

40:07 - What it's like inside the development of Pistol Whip

1:15:45 - The Future of Cloudhead

Music:

Inspired by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspired

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Matt Levonian Matt Levonian

Episode 26: Party VR

This week Matt recounts a party where someone was introduced to VR for the first time. We discuss how VR could better fit in social gatherings.

Music:

Furious Freak by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3791-furious-freak

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Inspired by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspired

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Matt Levonian Matt Levonian

Episode 25: Pistol Whip: Smoke & Thunder

This week we dive deep into the compelling design behind Pistol Whip’s latest update: Smoke & Thunder.

This week we dive deep into the compelling design behind Pistol Whip’s latest update: Smoke & Thunder.

Pistol Whip

Music:

Furious Freak by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3791-furious-freak

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Inspired by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspired

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Read More
Matt Levonian Matt Levonian

Episode 24: LEAKED Oculus Controller Prototype!

LEAK! Take a look at these new Oculus Touch controllers. No tracking ring? Camera?! Let’s dig into the details.

LEAK! Take a look at these new Oculus Touch controllers. No tracking ring? Camera?! Let’s dig into the details and somehow end up talking about Facebook, Oculus, and advertising in VR.

https://www.reddit.com/r/OculusQuest/comments/puvjqf/is_this_a_leak_or_naw/

Music:

Furious Freak by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3791-furious-freak

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Inspired by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspired

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Matt Levonian Matt Levonian

Episode 23: DEMEO, GIVE US SHINY THINGS MORE OFTEN!

Yo! We’re revisiting Demeo by Resolution Games to talk about what keeps games fresh and players returning ASAP!

Yo, today we’re talking about what keeps games fresh! That’s right bruh, we got words about progression, cosmetic unlocks, and battle passes. We revisit Demeo from Resolution Games and see how well it keeps players coming back.

Music:

Furious Freak by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3791-furious-freak

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Inspired by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspired

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Matt Levonian Matt Levonian

Episode 22: Demo Disc 2: Into The Darkness VR

For games, it’s not the ingredients that determine the quality, but how you cook them… This week we play the demo for Into The Darkness VR.

Sometimes a game has all the elements of a smash hit but ends up flopping on arrival. It’s not the ingredients but how you combine and cook them. We explore this idea while discussing our experience playing the demo for Into The Darkness VR.

Music:

Furious Freak by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3791-furious-freak

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Inspired by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspired

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Matt Levonian Matt Levonian

Episode 21: Demo Disc 1: AGAINST, Detour Bus

We look at two demos from Steam Next Fest, AGAINST and Detour Bus, and analyze how they succeed as demos.

Demos allow players to try games before they buy; but they can be hard to create during development. We look at two demos from Steam Next Fest, AGAINST and Detour Bus, and analyze how they succeed as demos. We praise their successful moments, and suggest some paths for improvement.

7:18 - AGAINST

19:48 -Detour Bus

Music:

Furious Freak by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3791-furious-freak

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Inspired by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspired

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Read More