Developer: James Wilburn | VECTOR_interactive
Released: TBC
Contact: vectorcreativeltd@gmail.com
Sweeper VR is the product of a university project that focused on consideration of mechanics and how they may transition between genres. In the case of SweeperVR; the strategy focused ‘Minesweeper’ was adapted for Virtual Reality.
Taking advantage of the immersive strength of Virtual Reality, the player is able to explore a three dimensional minefield, using physicality as well as strategy to solve the puzzle that is;
“Where are those pesky mines?”
About
Built originally for the HTC Vive, Sweeper VR was later adapted to the Meta Quest 2. Sweeper VR started off as a 5×5 grid, with a static map, later being developed into a customizable grid, that supports multiple procedural biomes and expanded play.
Gameplay Inspirations.
The Foundation:
The original, second year university, brief required picking an non-VR game, analysis the key mechanics and use these in a Virtual Reality experience. The key mechanics identified were;
- A grid.
- A number of mine squares that need to be identified, but not touched.
- Indicator squares that pop up when a non-mine square is identified.
- Tentative nomination squares that can act as mine identifiers, if the square they are on is a mine.
The Twist:
Turning a two dimensional ‘point and click’ game into an immersive three dimensional experience. Implement Virtual reality mechanics and introduce urgency to play, without pushing the VR user too far.
Features
Dynamic Grid
The original game ‘Minesweeper’ came with three different presets (beginner, intermediate and expert), which would modify:
- The size of the grid
- The amount of mines.
- The amount of ‘?’ flags available.
Furthermore, some versions allowed the player to determine their own grid sizes, as well as provide control over mine numbers.
Sweeper VR has embraced this focus on custom play, by implementing a dynamic grid, that builds a dynamic world around it.
Three Dimensional VR
Visually, Sweeper VR places itself in the great war of 1914 – 1918. The environments can vary from one of three different biomes; The Western Front, Gallipoli and the Eastern Front.
The world of Sweeper VR is procedurally built at the start of every round and varies between play sessions.
The player is then set loose to explore the world and solve the minefield in whatever way they deem to be the best.
In-game Events
With an extra dimension, comes the possibility for extra play.
Players have the option of enabling in-game events that swap the minefield from an force to be defused to an object of to protect. Planes and Tanks will do what they can to set the mines off and ruin your round.
Get to the anti vehicle weapons and fend them off, so that you can finish your defusal duties.
