Friday, 11 Oct 2024

Audica: The Virtual Reality Rhythm/Shooter by Harmonix

For over two decades, Harmonix has been dedicated to bringing the joy of music to people worldwide. They have created iconic games like Guitar Hero, Rock Band, Dance Central, and Amplitude. Now, they are unveiling their latest project, Audica, a VR rhythm/shooter that promises to be a unique and immersive experience.

A New Concept in Gaming

Audica combines the excitement of a shooter game with the immersive power of virtual reality. In this dual-wielding VR shooter, targets of different colors and shapes are launched at you from different directions. Your mission is to shoot the targets with precision, following the beats of thumping electronic music. The gameplay is reminiscent of popular VR projects like Audioshield and Beat Saber, but with the added thrill of shooting mechanics and precision aiming.

The game starts with a simple beat-matching experience, but as you increase the difficulty levels, it becomes an intense test of concentration and skill. Audica challenges you to find your Zen-like flow and experience a choreographed feeling of rhythm and movement.

The Team behind Audica

Harmonix co-founder, Alex Rigopulos, is leading the project as the creative director. Rigopulos, a VR enthusiast himself, has been experimenting with the concept of a music-focused shooter for years. With Audica, he aims to create a special place for players to immerse themselves in the joy of sound and music.

Ryan Challinor, another developer at Harmonix, has also played a significant role in the design and development of Audica. Together, Rigopulos and Challinor have stripped away unnecessary elements and focused on creating a gameplay experience that truly immerses players.

The Soundtrack

Audica features a diverse range of electronic music in its audio palette. Harmonix aims to showcase both well-known artists and hidden gems in the electronic music scene through the game’s soundtrack. The current plan is to include 70-80% licensed music, with the remaining tracks coming from Harmonix’s “friends and family” network.

While the early access version of Audica will have ten songs, Harmonix has already announced the first five inclusions:

  • 1788-L & Blanke – “Destiny”
  • Alison Wonderland – “I Want U”
  • Donna Summer – “I Feel Love (Afrojack Remix)”
  • James Egbert – “The Space”
  • Savant – “Splinter”

Release and Platforms

The early access version of Audica will be available for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive on March 7, with a 10-song lineup. The full version is scheduled for release by the end of 2019. Harmonix is also considering expanding to other VR platforms like PSVR and Oculus Quest in the future.

FAQs

Q: What is Audica?
Audica is a VR rhythm/shooter game developed by Harmonix. Players must shoot targets with precision, following the beats of electronic music.

Q: Who is behind Audica?
Audica is being led by Harmonix co-founder Alex Rigopulos and developer Ryan Challinor.

Q: What is the soundtrack like?
The Audica soundtrack includes a wide range of electronic music, from well-known artists to hidden gems in the scene.

Q: When will Audica be released?
The early access version will be available on March 7, 2019, for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. The full version is expected to be released by the end of the year.

Conclusion

Audica represents a unique blend of rhythm and shooting gameplay in the world of virtual reality. With the expertise of Harmonix and the dedication of the development team, this game is set to provide players with an immersive experience like no other. Get ready to lock into the beat, aim for the targets, and let the music take you on a thrilling journey. For more information about Audica, visit Wqaindia.