Overcoming Challenges for an Immersive Horse Riding Experience
Creating a realistic horse racing experience in VR comes with its own unique set of hurdles, and building Rival Stars Horse Racing: VR Edition has been both challenging and rewarding. Our aim was to fully immerse players in the world of horse racing while ensuring a smooth, comfortable, and authentic experience.
Dealing with Motion Sickness in VR
Motion sickness is a common issue in VR, so we worked to minimise it by positioning the player’s view right at the rider’s perspective, with the horse’s head always in sight. This helps give players a steady focal point, reducing the chances of feeling disoriented. We also added a fixed UI and some subtle wind effects to guide players through the track, enhancing the sense of speed without overwhelming the senses.
Bringing Cross Country to Life
Cross Country mode posed its own challenges with its jumps and winding paths. To help players stay focused on the course, we added a vignette effect that slightly darkens the edges of the screen, keeping attention on the path ahead. We’ve also spent a lot of time fine-tuning the horse’s turning mechanics to ensure the movements feel smooth and natural.
Striking a Balance with Controls
Controls are a key part of any VR game, especially for something as intricate as horse riding. We tested various methods, including joystick controls and automatic galloping. After gathering player feedback, we landed on a control scheme that feels intuitive and accessible, even for players who may not be familiar with horse riding, while still keeping a realistic feel.
Throughout the process, we focused on making every interaction feel seamless and enjoyable, whether it’s the thrill of a close race finish, the satisfaction of a well-timed jump, or simply spending time in the stable.
Looking Ahead
Developing Rival Stars Horse Racing: VR Edition has been a creative journey full of problem-solving and fun. The game is set to launch in early 2025, and you can wishlist it now on the Meta Store and Steam to stay updated.
We can’t wait for you to experience the world of horse racing in VR, In the meantime feel free to check our latest Dev Vlog.— see you at the starting line!