A lot of what we've seen from the VR space has been interesting and immersive ways to play games that already exist. CCP Games are hoping to bring a whole new sport into play. Details remain a bit sparse, but Sparc, a full body VR sport that very much seems to pull its inspiration from a Tron-like Jai Alai, claims to be a new and original experience. It's interesting on its own, but more so when you think about how it contrasts with the core experience of CCP and the massive undertaking of EVE that they are otherwise known for.
There is a a teaser trailer posted below and the press release is pasted after that. It does mention the core game play will consist of throwing projectiles at one another and "dodging, blocking, or deflecting incoming attacks." There will be the ability to match-make, play friends, and spectate across multiplayer and single player modes. More details should be revealed in the coming weeks and months as the game gets closer to being ready for primetime. Sparc is expected to release sometime before the year is out.
| CCP Games Announces Sparc, A Full-Body Virtual Sport Only Possible in Virtual Reality Releasing in 2017 on all major high-end VR platforms, Sparc is the first wholly original IP to be shipped by CCP outside of the EVE universe |
| 27 February 2017 – Atlanta, GA – Today, CCP Games is thrilled to announce Sparc, a unique virtual sport only possible in virtual reality. In Sparc, players connect online to compete with each other in fast and fun full-body VR gameplay. Currently in development for Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and PlayStation VR, Sparc will be the first wholly original IP to be shipped by CCP outside of the EVE universe when it releases in 2017. Sparc's skill-based, full-body gameplay makes for a fast-paced and fun physical sport. Players use their motion controllers to throw projectiles at their opponents from a distance, and in turn defend themselves by dodging, blocking, or deflecting the incoming attacks. Players can join one-on-one matches with friends online or find opponents via matchmaking. Sparc enables players to connect and compete in an online community. Players can watch matches in-person and queue for the next match in VR through Courtside, a freeform social area for spectating in VR or on screen. Sparc includes multiple two-player game modes as well as single-player challenges and training modes, plus a range of customization and personalization options for competitors. "After our early experiments with standing VR gameplay, we were excited by the idea of building an original sport designed for the current generation of VR hardware. We've designed Sparc so that players can express and improve their skill through their physical actions." said Morgan Godat, Executive Producer at CCP Atlanta. "Ultimately, we want players to think of Sparc as a virtual court in their living room where they can meet and compete with other players from around the world." "At CCP games, our goal is to harness our passion for virtual reality as a new medium and create the killer apps for the first generation of VR technology," said Hilmar Veigar Pétursson, CEO of CCP Games. "We set out to achieve that in mobile VR with Gunjack and in seated VR with EVE: Valkyrie, both released in the first year of VR becoming publicly available. With Sparc, we want to capitalize on the unique strengths of standing VR and deliver a game with all the depth and excitement to keep players returning long into the future." |
