Image: Nico Uthe
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Freeroam.ar is an AR shooter for large spaces. The AR game is also expected to be released for mixed reality headsets like Quest 3 or Apple’s rumored device.
The Freeroam.AR project by German independent developer Nico Uthe transforms large rooms into laser arenas. Using a simple construction kit, large rooms or halls can be enriched with digital game objects and cover, and then engage in shooting with glowing energy weapons.
Lasertag with Quest Pro and Meta Quest 3
The prerequisite is a VR headset that shows the outside world in pass-through mode and enriches it with computer graphics. In a first video, the Meta Quest Pro is used, which already delivers color and higher quality AR passthrough than the Quest 2.
Initially, Uthe is targeting his Unity project at potential partners such as laser arenas who are interested in a modern AR shooter. Later, home versions for Quest 3 or Apple’s rumored mixed reality headset could follow once these have established themselves with a larger audience. A public alpha is planned for the first quarter of 2023.
Unlike in Spatial Ops, slow moving bullets seem to play an important role. They could enable elegant evasive maneuvers like in Blaston or Superhot VR. Other special features include virtual body armor that bursts when shot at too much. In the test game in an art gallery, the real exhibits serve as cover, but also virtual walls and signs.
Draw the room, place the objects, done
With a “Room Mapper” tool (similar to the room layout in Quest Headset), users first draw the room and objects. Then they can use level editor to place game related objects and make game adjustments. Once the setup is complete, the room data is automatically transmitted to all players and the battle can begin.
In the finished game, there will be modes that are based on classic game variations of laser tag. However, the focus will be on a special mode, which, according to Uthe, will be adapted to the advantages of AR pass-through and will depend on teamwork.
Uthe previously worked on the laser tag VR game Tower Tag and the experimental VR dream world Lucid Trips.
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