Beat saber Critique

Video Presentation

Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyGyoCnFqKg&ab_channel=CS428

Introduction

For this project, I will critique Beat Saber. Beat Saber is a VR rhythm game, similar to guitar hero. In this game, the player must hit the correct notes to the beat of the music, but instead of hitting the notes with a button on a controller, the player holds two virtual light sabers with which they must hit the notes as they approach. This is the game that first piqued my interest in VR and eventually I got to try it and was not disappointed! Here is a trailer and demo video of the game.

Why is it a good use of VR?

Beat Saber is a good use of VR because it is a fun and creative way to introduce people to VR. It takes things we are familiar with - rhythm games like guitar hero, and light sabers from Star Wars and bring them together in a virtual world. Guitar hero was one of my favorite games growing up; I loved the experience of holding the guitar and pretending to be in a rock band playing for a crowd. Beat Saber builds on this concept in VR, but instead of playing to a crowd, you are in a bright neon world holding lightsabers, slicing and slashing the notes, and dodging obstacles. The first time I played this game was at a family gathering at a relative’s house and this game was the star of the show. The bright, exciting visuals and the fun, immersive experience caught our attention, and everyone from children to adults wanted to try it.

Intended Users

It is a game that is easy to learn when you first start playing, so even people who are new to VR or gaming can try it and have fun with it. If someone's never touched VR before they may need someone to help them set it up because that part can be a little intimidating for someone new, but the gameplay itself is very simple. And this is not just a casual game. Serious gamers can also have fun with it by trying to master the more difficult songs, levels, and settings. It is easy to learn, but a fun challenge to master.

Critique

Graphics and gameplay

This game has excellent graphics and visuals. Though they are minimalist, they are bright and eye catching. The color theme is blue, red, and white. The neon, minimalist color scheme and geometric design with lots of lines and sharp angles gives the world a distinctive digital feel. It reminds me of the mobile game geometry dash, which also incorporates music and a unique graphic design element.

One thing that I feel is missing from this game is an avatar. It is possible to add an avatar mod for the game, but there is no included avatar feature. Avatars are fun to make and customize and generally help to personalize a game. In VR, they are even more important because they help the user feel embodied in the VR world. People can choose to use a realistic avatar or to create an avatar that looks like a Rockstar or a Jedi, or anyone they want to be. Either way, it can help the player feel more present in the world, rather than merely seeing two floating lightsaber ends in front of them.

Screenshots of graphics from trailer video:

Usability

The usability of this game depends on one’s familiarity with VR and which headset and controls they are using. The game supports the headsets Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, and Windows Mixed Reality. It requires a tracked motion controller, and can be played seated or standing. Setting up the game is a little tricky because you have to manually adjust the height of the “floor” in the game, which controls the height of the beats. Different players may have to adjust based on their own height The settings are accessible when you open the game, but in my experience, you don’t notice the height difference until you start playing a song and the beats are too high or low to hit. At this point you have to quit the game, go back the settings and adjust it, and then restart. It would be easier if it were possible to just pause, adjust the settings, and resume the game. Or, better yet, if this could be adjusted automatically.

Beat Saber Subpac

The subpac is a subwoofer for Beat Saber. A subwoofer is a speaker specifically designed for reproducing bass. The subpac for Beat Saber is designed so the player can literally feel the beat as they play. They wear it on their back while playing and are able to feel the vibrations from the bass. Usually VR applications tend to incorporate immersive visuals and sound into the experience, but this technology adds a new sense: the ability to physically feel something happening in the VR world. This enhances the experience for those who can hear and feel the music, and even can allow hearing disabled people to enjoy the experience of beat saber as well, as you can see in the demo below.