Alaska Steve: Using Virtual Reality to Enhance a 2D Platforming Game

Abstract

Traditional virtual reality games foster immersion by giving the player a first-person perspective of a three-dimensional world. Alaska Steve: Bite Frost Back takes a different approach by using the Oculus Rift's orientation tracking as a core game mechanic for 2D platforming. The use of virtual reality allows the player to maintain context while navigating and manipulating the large two-dimensional game world as the main character travels through it. The game's obstacles complement the use of virtual reality by requiring the player to quickly scan the game world independently of the main character.