Balancing Open-World Freedom and Detail in VR: A Look into Asgard’s Wrath 2’s Development
3 min read
Open-world games have long been a staple of the gaming industry, offering players the freedom to explore vast landscapes and engage in a multitude of activities. However, creating a successful open-world game is no easy feat. Striking the right balance between freedom and detail is crucial to ensure that players remain engaged and feel rewarded for their exploration efforts. In the realm of virtual reality (VR), this balance becomes even more challenging due to the unique constraints and opportunities presented by the medium. Asgard’s Wrath 2, a VR-exclusive open-world RPG developed by Sanzaru Games and published by Oculus Studios, offers an intriguing look into how developers can navigate these challenges and create an immersive and engaging open-world experience in VR.
The team behind Asgard’s Wrath 2 faced the daunting task of following up the success of the original game, which was praised for its expansive open world and engaging combat system. To create a sequel that would build upon the foundation laid by the first game while also addressing the unique challenges of VR, the team adopted a number of strategies.
First and foremost, the team focused on ensuring that every square inch of the game’s open world was worth exploring. Mike Doran, production director at Oculus Studios, emphasized the importance of this approach, stating, “There is nobody that has seen every single square inch of this world. It’s one thing to build a giant open world, but if there’s not enough to do in it, who cares?” Mari Kyle, senior producer at Oculus Studios, added that the team wanted to make sure that players were rewarded for their exploration efforts, whether it be through combat encounters, hidden treasures, or other points of interest.
To achieve this goal, the team employed a number of techniques. For instance, they made sure that there were combat encounters in even the most unexpected places, such as small side dungeons or seemingly empty areas. They also ensured that there were visual and auditory cues that would draw players’ attention to points of interest, making exploration feel rewarding and engaging.
Another key aspect of Asgard’s Wrath 2’s development was the team’s focus on creating a sense of surprise and discovery. Mat Kraemer, creative director at Sanzaru Games, noted that one of the reasons the first game was so successful was that it surprised players with its length and depth. To build upon this foundation, the team aimed to create a sense of surprise and discovery throughout the game, whether it be through unexpected combat encounters, new characters, or other gameplay elements.
To make the most of the VR medium, the team also employed a number of techniques to make the game feel more immersive and engaging. For instance, they made use of the full 360-degree freedom of movement offered by VR to create a sense of presence and immersion. They also made use of the haptic feedback offered by the Quest 3 headset to enhance the combat experience and make it feel more visceral and satisfying.
Despite the many challenges presented by creating an open-world VR RPG, the team at Sanzaru Games and Oculus Studios managed to create a game that offers a rich and engaging open-world experience in VR. By focusing on creating a world that is worth exploring, employing techniques to create a sense of surprise and discovery, and making use of the unique capabilities of VR, they have created a game that offers a fresh take on the open-world genre and showcases the potential of VR as a storytelling medium.
In conclusion, Asgard’s Wrath 2 offers a fascinating look into the challenges and opportunities presented by creating an open-world game in VR. By focusing on creating a world that is worth exploring, employing techniques to create a sense of surprise and discovery, and making use of the unique capabilities of VR, the team at Sanzaru Games and Oculus Studios have created a game that offers a fresh take on the open-world genre and showcases the potential of VR as a storytelling medium. Whether you’re a fan of open-world games or just looking for a new and immersive VR experience, Asgard’s Wrath 2 is definitely worth checking out.
