HTC launches its subsidiary named Vive Studios with the aim of creating and financing high-quality virtual reality content, and whose first title called Arcade Saga is already available on Steam.
As Oculus did back in the day with the incorporation of Jason Rubin to lead a team of its own developments, HTC has presented its content studio called Vive Studios, whose objective is to collaborate with both internal and external studios to create virtual reality content that free the Vive from the stigma that most of its content is technological demos and low-budget indie experiences. In an interview with UploadVR, VP of content Joel Breton recognizes this problem and states that his model will be similar to that of a video game publisher.
Vive Studios will employ a publishing model similar to console games, where the brand will produce its own content through internal developers, such as 2 Bears, in addition to partnering with external developers. In the case of external ones, Vive Studios is a partner to which they can turn for financing, in addition to being able to publish and advertise virtual reality content. Vive Studios is actively developing content in various key categories of virtual reality, including games, education, cinematics, design, social, real estate and sports, as well as tools and applications that can revolutionize areas such as media, distribution, health and entertainment arcade centers.
When asked if, as Oculus does with the Rift, the Vive Studios developments would be exclusive to the HTC viewer, Breton’s answer is somewhat ambiguous: “We are not announcing support for other platforms today. Each of the contents will be released where it makes the most sense to do so.” When asked again, he clarified that in principle there would be no direct “blocks” to other manufacturers in games that tie them exclusively to the Vive, indicating that “the contents must be open and work wherever consumers want… we do not believe that they [Oculus] they have to lose for us to win.”
Proof of this is that Arcade Saga, the first title developed by 2 Bears and published by Vive Studios, is now available on Steam for a price of € 27.99, and is compatible with both Vive and Rift, although the appearance of the trailer does not give the feeling that it differs much from the indie content that is so abundant in the Valve store. In Arcade Saga we can play 3 mini-games: Fracture, Smash and Bowshot, where we will have to react and use our wits to shoot and avoid viruses, break the bricks of the firewall and spin data balls in front of the Overlords and their minions. A tribute to the classic games of the 80s, but thinking about the standing game at room scale and with motion controllers.
