Updates
Please connect with me to be notified about new articles.
08/11/23
Jigsaw 360
Relax while completing beautifully detailed spherical jigsaws. The new way to experience a traditional puzzle. Suitable for all ages with between 8 and 200 pieces. Choose from 15 scenes or add your own.
22/12/22
Idea Engine
Idea Engine is an interactive mind map where you can bring your ideas to life. Load custom models, images and sounds to create interactive, non-linear stories, games or training scenarios.
An early prototype won the Mixed...
06/05/21
120Hz
With over 22,000 parts of debris in constant motion, the scrap vortexes are places that sane scavengers avoid. That changes today! Announcing the new 120Hz range of drones. These drones are the most responsive craft ever invented. Dodge debris as quickly as you can move your hand and fly at...
29/01/21
Intrepid Intents (accessible VR)
In April 2020 I won 1st prize in the "Accessibility VR/AR Game Jam 2020" with a game prototype called Intrepid Intents. My project focused on bringing actions we take for granted in VR and making them more accessible. In this article I'll share my ideas, progress made so far and my hopes for...
30/09/20
Considering social anxiety in multiplayer VR games
A recent game jam for Oculus Start members tasked us with considering how to use VR to overcome separation and foster connections. I immediately decided that a multiplayer game was required to help create bonds between players, but I had two issues. I had never created a multiplayer game before and...
29/09/20
Voxel Vibe
Voxel Vibe is a cross between a puzzle-platformer and a music visualizer where thousands of voxels move in time to the music and respond to the proximity of the players head and hands.
14/03/20
Oculus Quest Hand Tracking - Developer Insights
After implemented hand tracking on my Oculus Quest game, Jigsaw 360, I wanted to share what I had learned and give my honest impression of the technology. There are plenty of design consideration to be aware of but the potential is there to create some awesome experiences.
11/02/19
Horse Arc - a webVR case study
I've been wanting to investigate webVR for some time and recently the Amazon Sumerian AR/VR challenge gave me the perfect excuse to jump in and see what I could do. Happily, I came away being the winner of the Best...
16/11/18
Game Jams and Prototypes
This page will be updated with smaller projects that are submitted to game jams or just produced as part of an experiment.
13/09/18
Making VR videos less shaky
No matter how hard you try to move smoothly in VR the sensitivity of the head tracking results in shaky videos that can be a little uncomfortable to watch. Let's see if we can improve that.
12/09/18
Implementing Breath Detection in VR
In this article I'll share my experience of building the VR Breath Tech experience (which is free to download).
12/09/18
Breath Tech
This mini game allows you to use your HMD's microphone to project your breath into VR. See your breath and use it to solve puzzles in this experience designed to demonstrate how breath detection can be used in VR games and apps.
12/09/18
Why We Want To Breathe In VR
Breath detection is the low hanging fruit of VR input. Head tracking already provides the location and rotation of your mouth and the mic provides the ability to crudely detect and measure exhalations. Feedback on my old DK2 experience, Breath Tech Demo, confirmed that seeing and using your breath...
26/10/17
Designing chaperone systems for intense action VR games
If you've played physically active games like Robo Recall or Echo Area in an enclosed space you've probably hit a wall or two. In my latest release, The Relentless, I wanted to promote fast movement and punching so I spent time trying to come up with some solutions. I wanted these solutions...
24/10/17
The Relentless
This game is all about movement. It requires 360 degree tracking and at least 1.5m x 1.5m. Expect to use all of your available space as you shoot, punch, dodge, jump and stretch for laser recharges.
02/06/17
Journey to a VR user interface
Developing the UI in my previous game was a hassle. It was something I had to endure and reluctantly keep improving and it sucked time away from the core development. Who cares about menus anyway! Yes, I was that naive. Fortunately I came to my senses and I now enjoy developing the UI.
02/06/17
Principles for immersive VR design
I want you to feel like you’ve been transported to another world - a real place that acts in ways that you expect. In my quest to create immersive virtual reality experiences I set myself guiding principles to steer design decisions and reach my goals. This page will be regularly updated with...
10/01/17
From zero game dev experience to publishing a VR game on Steam and Oculus Home
If you’re thinking about developing your first VR game, these notes may prove to be useful. I've run a Kickstarter and Greenlight campaign, entered VR competitions, launched free demos and Early Access campaigns and finally released my full game on Steam and Oculus Home.
14/12/16
Dimensional [VR Game]
![Dimensional [VR Game]](http://cache3.headstartdesign.co.uk.s3.amazonaws.com/webB/d2e/jumblivr/blog_1494328353.png)
Dimensional throws you into dangerous chambers to save an alien race. This is not a passive experience. You'll have to feel and act as though you're really there - standing, moving around, manipulating objects and reacting to dangers.