The GDC demo will introduce:

• Two-player co-op gameplay, supported by AI teammates
• Procedurally generated missions, ensuring different layouts and enemy placements each session
• Unreal Engine 5 visuals, featuring real-time lighting and physics-based interactions

Players can choose between different roles, including a flanker, suppressor, or technician, each with unique abilities affecting battlefield strategy. The game emphasizes strategic movement, suppressive fire mechanics, and environmental interactions.

Alongside Exoshock, VRAL Games will present other VR titles at GDC, including:

• VRIDER SBK – A motorcycle racing simulator for PSVR2 and SteamVR
• Squingle – A physics-based puzzle game for Apple Vision Pro
• Toxic Therapy – A sandbox destruction game focused on chaotic interactions

GDC attendees can book an Exoshock demo session, with limited media passes available for journalists and influencers. The game is currently in development with a planned release on VR platforms.

Gameplay and Features
In Mythic Realms, players embark on procedurally generated expeditions, gathering resources, fighting enemies, and expanding their kingdom after each run. The game offers:

• Room-Scale Mixed Reality Combat – Enemies can move around furniture and emerge from walls, while boss fights take over the player’s space, including battles against a fire-breathing dragon.
• Kingdom Building – Players return from expeditions with resources to improve their kingdom and develop new gear.
• Multiple Playstyles – Three classes—Knight, Ranger, and Mage—each wield a variety of weapons, including swords, bows, staves, and shuriken.
• Dynamic Expeditions – Players choose how to approach each adventure, whether through combat, exploration, or gathering.

Mythic Realms is available for pre-order now on the Meta Store for $17.99 with a 10% discount.

About the Developer
Petricore, an independent studio founded in 2015, specializes in immersive experiences across VR and AR platforms. The team has worked on projects for Meta, Apple Vision Pro, and Pico, in addition to creating original IPs.

One of the standout titles in the lineup is Trombone Champ: Unflattened, which will be the first-ever VR adaptation of the original trombone-based rhythm game Trombone Champ. Set to launch in Fall 2024 on Meta Quest, PlayStation VR2, and Steam VR, this adaptation will allow players to experience the game’s unique blend of music and humor in a fully immersive environment. Trombone Champ: Unflattened will feature over 50 tracks, customizable trombones, and mixed reality gameplay that blends the virtual and real worlds.

In collaboration with Strategy First, Flat2VR Studios is also bringing the FlatOut series to VR. Known for its demolition derby and high-octane racing gameplay, FlatOut has built a dedicated following with nearly 3 million units sold worldwide. The VR adaptation aims to enhance the chaotic and destructive elements of the series, allowing players to experience the action from the driver’s seat.

Another title in the lineup is Roboquest, a roguelite first-person shooter set in a dystopian future. Partnering with Starbreeze Publishing, Flat2VR Studios is adapting Roboquest for VR, where players will navigate dynamic environments, battle mechanical enemies, and customize their characters. The game’s fast-paced action and comic book-inspired art style will be amplified in the VR version, offering a more intense and immersive experience.

Additionally, Wrath: Aeon of Ruin is being adapted for VR by Flat2VR Studios in collaboration with Team Beef and 3D Realms. Powered by the Quake engine, this first-person shooter is inspired by classic 90s shooters like Doom and Quake. The VR adaptation will bring the dark, atmospheric world of Wrath to life, allowing players to explore non-linear levels filled with ancient horrors and deadly traps in a fully immersive environment.

Flat2VR Studios is also set to showcase Trombone Champ: Unflattened at the Home of XR megabooth during Gamescom 2024, alongside other upcoming titles. The event, taking place from August 21-23 in Cologne, Germany, will feature 18 playable experiences from 13 participating studios, making it the largest VR presence in Gamescom history.

Arizona Sunshine was originally released in 2016 and quickly became a popular title in the VR gaming community, known for its immersive zombie-slaying action set in a post-apocalyptic version of the southwestern United States. The remake of the game is designed to build on this foundation by offering improved visuals and gameplay experiences for modern VR platforms.

Key features of the remake include a significant upgrade in graphics, described as “GORE-geous,” which aims to enhance the visual experience of battling the undead. The game will also introduce next-gen VR combat and weapons, providing players with a more physically engaging experience. This includes the ability to wield a variety of weapons, from shotguns to machetes, in a more realistic and tactile manner.

The remake will also feature a brand-new mutilation and gore system, allowing players to discover various ways to defeat zombies, referred to in the game as “Fred.” Additionally, the game will include all original downloadable content (DLC) and updates, such as the Dead Man DLC, The Damned DLC, and various location updates like the Old Mine and Trailer Park.

Multiplayer enthusiasts will be pleased to know that Arizona Sunshine® Remake will support co-op gameplay, allowing up to four players to team up in campaign mode or the multiplayer Horde mode. The developers have noted that more players mean more zombies, increasing the challenge and intensity of the game.

For existing fans of the game, Vertigo Games is offering a discounted upgrade path. Players who already own the original Arizona Sunshine® will be able to upgrade to the remake at a reduced price, provided they have the original game installed on their platform.

Originally developed by 3D Realms and powered by the Quake engine, Wrath: Aeon of Ruin is a first-person shooter that draws inspiration from classic titles like Doom and Hexen. The game is set in a dark, decaying world where players must navigate through non-linear levels filled with ancient horrors and deadly traps. The VR adaptation aims to capture the intense atmosphere and brutal combat of the original while leveraging the immersive capabilities of virtual reality.

The transition to VR has been made possible through the collaboration between Team Beef and Flat2VR Studios. The partnership with Flat2VR Studios has allowed Team Beef to go beyond a simple port, incorporating asset alterations and new features that make Wrath: Aeon of Ruin feel like a game designed specifically for VR.

In a show of appreciation, Team Beef has announced that all mid-tier patrons who supported the project from its inception on September 22, 2022, until the announcement on August 15, 2024, will receive a free copy of the VR version upon its launch. This gesture acknowledges the vital role that the community played in bringing the project to fruition.

Further details on how patrons can redeem their copies will be shared closer to the launch date. Additionally, there may be opportunities for beta testing, allowing dedicated fans to contribute further to the development process.

The announcement coincides with the VR Games Showcase, where Flat2VR Studios is highlighting its latest VR adaptations. Team Beef encourages fans to check out the showcase to see the cutting-edge work being done in the VR gaming space.

This release marks a new chapter for Team Beef, and the team is optimistic about the future, with plans to bring more classic games to VR in collaboration with Flat2VR Studios. The VR gaming community can look forward to more exciting announcements in the near future.

Game Overview and Features

TIER ONE: DIRECT ACTION is set in a near-future scenario, where players assume the role of elite operatives from two rival factions: Specter and Buran. The game draws inspiration from well-known titles like ArmA and Rainbow Six Siege, with the developers envisioning it as a spiritual successor to the VR title ONWARD.

The development team comprises over 20 VR industry veterans, including key members who contributed to ONWARD, as well as other notable VR projects such as ZENITH, Marvel’s Iron Man VR, Blacktop Hoops, and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. The involvement of military veterans adds to the game’s focus on realism.

Key features of the game include:

• Teamwork-Centric Gameplay: The game rewards players for actions that benefit the team, such as reviving teammates and capturing objectives, rather than focusing on personal scores. Players can strategize in a social hub between matches.
• Diverse Game Modes: The early access version will feature game modes such as Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, and Satcom (Objective Mode). The full release plans to expand this to 10 different modes, including both PvP and PvE experiences.
• Realistic and Immersive Environments: The game features environments and equipment handling that closely mirror their real-life counterparts. Players have access to a customizable arsenal of weapons and attachments, including scopes, silencers, and foregrips, along with specialized tools like grenades and EMPs.
• Character Customization: Players can personalize their characters with a wide range of customization options, including headgear, patches, uniforms, and camouflages.
• Interactive Mechanics: The game includes lifelike gameplay mechanics such as climbing ladders, fast-roping, applying bandages, helicopter extractions, and air support, all designed to enhance immersion.
• Training and Progression: Players can hone their skills in a special forces training hub, featuring a killhouse, shooting range, and parkour course. A detailed progression system allows players to advance their character, unlock new skills, and rank up.

Kickstarter Campaign and Rewards

To bring TIER ONE: DIRECT ACTION to life, Niorun Studios is seeking support through Kickstarter. Backers can choose from a variety of reward tiers, ranging from a €5 discount on the Early Access release to exclusive in-game items and experiences, such as meeting the developers and participating in level design.

The Kickstarter campaign offers tiers including:

• Private (€5): A €5 discount on Early Access and exclusive updates.
• Corporal (€20): Full access to Early Access and the full release, plus exclusive skins and emblems.
• Sergeant (€49): Includes all previous rewards plus a digital artbook and a Kickstarter-exclusive weapon.
• Lieutenant (€99): Meet the developers, receive priority access to the game, and all previous rewards.
• Fire Team (€99): Includes rewards for 5 people, making it ideal for bringing a team into the game.
• Captain (€499): Add an Easter egg to the game and receive all previous rewards.
• Colonel (€999): Join the launch party and receive a goodie box along with all previous rewards.
• General (€5,000): Work with the team to design a character, participate in level design, and playtest unpublished game modes.

Next Steps

Niorun Studios is calling on supporters to back their Kickstarter campaign and help bring TIER ONE: DIRECT ACTION to fruition. Interested players can visit the Kickstarter page for more details and choose a reward tier that suits them.

For more information, follow TIER ONE: DIRECT ACTION on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.

The game’s announcement trailer, released alongside this news, gives a glimpse into the dream-like world and the unique bond players will develop with Moti. My Monsters is still in production, with a release anticipated next year, and has already been nominated for the Best XR/VR Game at Gamescom LATAM, where attendees can experience a playable version.

About Laser Dance Laser Dance is a mixed-reality game where players move between two buttons on opposite ends of their living room, navigating a sequence of laser patterns that adapt to the room’s size and layout. The gameplay is easy to learn but hard to master, making it an ideal party game for both newcomers and seasoned VR players.

Key Features:

• Transform your living room into a laser obstacle course.
• Intuitive gameplay perfect for newcomers to VR.
• Levels adapt to your living room’s size and layout.
• Dance, dodge, and crawl your way to victory!

For those with a Quest Pro or Quest 3, playtesting opportunities are available. Sign up here.

About the Developer Thomas Van Bouwel is a former architect turned XR developer, known for his critically acclaimed VR puzzle game Cubism. His new title, Laser Dance, continues his tradition of innovative and accessible game design.

About Creature Creature is a video game studio and label focused on releasing games on new and innovative platforms. The studio supports independent developers by offering business development, production consulting, and release strategy services.

Starship Home allows players to use the Quest 3’s passthrough cameras to blend their physical environment with the virtual world, turning ordinary living spaces into starships ready to explore the galaxy. Players will engage in hyperspace travel, gather and nurture alien plants, and communicate with friendly extraterrestrials—all while uncovering the mystery of a blight that threatens plant life across the stars.

The game is being developed by a team of industry veterans, including Mark Schramm (SUPERHOT VR, Gravity Lab) and Ashley Pinnick (Tilt Brush, Slimeball), under the direction of Doug North Cook, the founder of Creature. Starship Home is set to launch exclusively on Meta Quest 3 later this year, with pre-orders now open.

Escaping Wonderland is not a direct sequel but rather a fresh story that invites both newcomers and veterans of the Down the Rabbit Hole series to explore a diorama-like world filled with whimsical puzzles, curious characters, and brain-teasers that will challenge even the most seasoned players. The game retains the charm and style of Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice in Wonderland, while introducing a new hero and a fresh cast of characters, ensuring a delightful experience for everyone.

The game is now available for pre-order on the Meta Quest Store, with a 10% discount for those who pre-order before its release. Escaping Wonderland promises to deliver a substantial experience with more of what fans loved in the original game, all while offering a completely new adventure.

Escaping Wonderland will be showcased at Gamescom this summer, where press and attendees can get a first look at the game in the B2B section. Those interested in booking an appointment can contact Beyond Frames Entertainment to secure their spot.