Abstract

BirdQuestVR is a cross-platform asymmetric communication game between one player in Virtual Reality and another on a mobile device. The game explores asymmetric co-operative gaming in a shared physical space, taking the physical surroundings of the VR user into account in its design. Asymmetric games feature different rules, abilities, or objectives for different players, generating unique and nuanced game experiences. Multiplayer asymmetric games in particular have been shown to increase teamwork and a collaborative mindset even after a play session has ended. Asymmetric design is commonplace in both digital and analog games but has yet to see widespread adoption in the emerging Virtual Reality (VR) gaming space. BirdQuestVR seeks to leverage the affordances of current consumer-grade VR headsets to build asymmetric gameplay around communication, embodied performance, and physical humour. Keywords: Asymmetric, Virtual Reality, Cross-Platform, Social Play, Avatar Embodiment

Highlights

  • A classic example of asymmetric gameplay is in the 1970 code-breaking game “Mastermind”, in which where one player must select a hidden sequence of colours, and the other must deduce the sequence within a limited number of turns [11]

  • Asymmetric gameplay is common across digital games [8] and has been shown to foster teamwork [4], critical thinking [3], and negotiation skills [2] more effectively than symmetric gamely

  • Asymmetric gameplay is common within collaborative games as well as competitive ones

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Summary

Introduction

Competition exists between players bound by identical rules, with matched or balanced in-game abilities. Asymmetric game design can allow for players of differing skill levels to play together, such as the option for one player to use a touch interface to make small contributions to gameplay in “New Super Mario Bros U” [15].

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