Sure thing, here goes:
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I’m back with another ramble — like, seriously, who knew I’d ever dive so deep into video games? But here we are, peeling back the curtains on XR design. Today, Beat Saber. Yeah, that game everyone and their grandma’s heard of. But wait, lemme throw this wild thought at you: Beat Saber isn’t a rhythm game. Sounds nuts, right? Stick with me a sec.
Imagine launching into Beat Saber. You think it’s all about timing, like every rhythm game ever. But plot twist! Timing doesn’t even factor into scoring. You can chop a block at the start or at the last second and snag the same points. What’s going on here?
You see, it’s all about motion. Yeah, I know, kinda blew my mind too. The game’s nudging you to make broad, precise swings — be a virtual sword ninja, basically. It’s music, sure, but it’s more about moving in style than mere rhythm.
Enter the realm of ‘Instructed Motion.’ Basically, games telling you how to move in ways that feel, well, kinda awesome. Take “Until You Fall” — not a rhythm game, yet it’s tapping into this same magic. It’s got you moving in deliberate ways during combat, immersing you into the experience like you’re the main character of some epic saga.
Imagine, you’re blocking attacks, feeling all tense, muscles on edge. It’s not mindless button-mashing. There’s pressure, urgency. You misstep, you’re hit. You nail it, you’re in the zone. It’s this perfect dance of control and chaos.
Dodging’s no different. You’re literally moving your body — not just flicking a joystick. The stakes feel real. And attacking? You’re swinging swords like some kind of medieval hero, not just mashing buttons. Moves are precise, powerful — pure satisfaction when you hit that sweet combo. It’s like they took the rush of Beat Saber and dropped it into combat.
So yeah, next time someone says Beat Saber’s just a rhythm game, give them a knowing nod. We know it’s so much more. It’s a blueprint for making VR games that aren’t just games — they’re experiences. Who knew? Motion equals emotion. And now, my brain’s all mixed up thinking about it. Anyway — or was it… ah, whatever, you get me.
Stay tuned for more musings when I untangle my next VR conundrum. Or try to, at least.
