HTC today announced it’s bringing 8 VR experiences inspired by Steven Spielberg’s upcoming film Ready Player One to its official South by Southwest (SXSW) event. If you’re not going to be able to make it to Austin this week, you’ll be able to download all of these experiences at home for free before the film’s March 29th release.
HTC says in a blog post they’ve partnered with “many of the top developers in VR to build experiences that capture the essence of the Ready Player One universe.”
The company says all of these titles will be free to download for home users later this month from Viveport and Steam, or alternatively play in VR arcades across the United States.
Ready Player One: Avatar Creator
People come to the OASIS for all the things they can do, but they stay for all the things they can be. With millions of permutations, the Avatar Creator lets you create your own highly detailed OASIS persona. Share your custom Avatar with friends and fellow Gunters. Developer: Morph3D
Battle for the OASIS
Help save the OASIS by defeating waves of IOI Sixers. Advance through the trenches of Planet Doom towards the snowy planes that surround Anorak’s Castle. With an arsenal only possible in the OASIS, you must stop IOI from gaining control. Developer: Steel Wool Studios
Rise of The Gunters
Fight against a nearly invincible army of highly trained IOI Sixers. Proceed with caution as you defeat Sixers, collect their coins, find power ups and survive a merciless onslaught of hyper-explosive kinetic action for as long as it takes. The OASIS is yours. Take it back. Battle the IOI by yourself or with up to two fellow Gunters! Developer: Drifter Entertainment, Inc.
Gauntlet
Navigate through a seemingly endless dungeon while the undead seek to destroy you. Collecting Gold will improve your score and eating food will restore your health, but only your bow skills will ensure that you make it out alive. Developer: Directive Games
Aech’s Garage
Walk into the extraordinary world of Aech’s Garage in VR as interpreted from the original ILM design for Steven Spielberg’s “Ready Player One.” Inspired by the virtual universe of the OASIS in 2045, Aech’s Garage represents the culmination of VR as it exists in the year 2018. Developer: Sansar
The Distracted Globe Music Experience in TheWaveVR
Step inside the fantastical space inspired by The Distracted Globe zero-gravity dance club scene from “Ready Player One.” TheWaveVR experience will let anyone immerse themselves in the dance club scene with specially designed avatars,`80s visuals and music, plus the ability to fly to the music in zero gravity. Available at SXSW and in participating VR arcades across the country on March 9. Launching on TheWaveVR’s free app on Steam in the U.S. beginning Thursday, March 17 at 9:00 p.m. CT. Developer: TheWaveVR
Smash
Enhance your hand and eye coordination in this nod to OASIS creator James Halliday’s favorite`80s arcade games. Developer: 2 Bears Studio (Vive Studio partner)
Fracture
Heighten your spatial awareness and reflexes in this throwback to` 80s brick smasher games reimagined in VR. Developer: 2 Bears Studio (Vive Studio partner)