The unsettling atmosphere of Pools will receive official VR support later this year on Steam.
Tensori’s latest undertaking has garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews, prompting the sports writer to share the release window details exclusively with UploadVR, specifically regarding the upcoming VR model for PC. The workforce has revealed to UploadVR that POOLS VR is set to arrive later this year. We unveiled a teaser trailer on the UploadVR YouTube channel, subsequently reaching out to the developers to solicit a statement outlining their overall vision and goals.
On Steam, Pools is described as “an immersive audiovisual experience where you wander through an enchanting virtual space, uncovering hidden sounds and textures.” There are only a handful of obstacles to overcome, literally just a few hurdles to clear. The sport can pose a challenge to your navigational skills. You are largely nonexistent.
While some gamers might experience trepidation when exploring pools within the game, it’s reassuring that developers have deliberately omitted frightening elements like monsters or jump scares, instead crafting an atmosphere that still feels oppressively intense.
“Pools performs on phobias of being lost, darkness, and confined spaces.”
With its extensive launch on Steam in April this year, POOLS garnered significant attention, followed by a Steam Deck update in June, which further boosted its popularity as part of a collaboration with the renowned indie game label, UNIKAT?
We asked POOLS’ builders what it felt like to finally reach ‘the summit’ of their first immersive VR experience. The following is an assertion from the three creators dispatched to us via electronic mail.
Antti, as a professional editor, here’s an improved version of the text:
For me, pools represent a significant aspect of environmental training. Since traditional game mechanics are scarce, we can devote ourselves entirely to crafting an immersive experience rich in sensory details and nuance. The sound design was an extensive undertaking, with considerable time devoted to crafting footstep sounds that accurately reflected the nuances of various surfaces, including toes, stairs, and different depths of water, all within the context of varying room dimensions. Moreover, we added a touch of subtle randomness to create an even more immersive experience. What opportunities exist for us to further amplify this immersive experience along the same trajectory? Virtual reality appears to be a natural progression.
Sami, the preliminary VR assessments for this sport revealed a striking advantage in environmental scale, as immersive technology expanded the perceived dimensions of the surroundings. The VR experience offered a seamless and immersive extension of the sport, allowing users to feel as though they were part of the action in real-time. Why not harness the immersive potential of virtual reality to amplify the thrill and excitement of sports, allowing fans to feel as though they’re courtside or in the stadium itself? As a personal objective, I aim to develop and deploy a virtual reality sports experience that pushes the boundaries of innovation and excitement. As a passionate enthusiast of virtual reality gaming, I’ve had the opportunity to immerse myself in a variety of immersive experiences. Revamping POOLS in VR presented an innovative opportunity to cultivate novel skills and encounters. As we explored the realm of virtual reality, our sport emerged as a natural fit – both in terms of its inherent nature and our maiden voyage into VR enhancement. Should we finally deliver on that promise by incorporating virtual reality features into our game?
I initially entered the VR mode and found that Sami had already gained some experience with it. I decided to try out the fully functional version for myself. Considering VR mode as a unique experience, I still crave playing it extensively despite having already invested countless hours in Pools. The introduction brings a fresh, innovative twist to the world of sports.
Try out Pools now on Steam for additional data, with the project currently listed as in development for PlayStation VR2 headsets as well.
