Reload Studios, a startup comprising ex-members of Call of Duty developers Infinity Ward, have unveiled details of their new multiplayer first person shooter, built from the ground up in virtual reality. It’s called World War Toons.

Reload Studios’ heritage must be a mixed blessing. On one hand, as a band of developers formed from Infinity Ward’s ranks, the press is instantly interested in what you’re working on next. On the other, the shadow of CoD must loom very large indeed. It’s probably understandable then why the developer would choose to distance themselves artistically from the mammoth franchise – which may explain the quirky art design of their new made-for-VR, multiplayer FPS World War Toons.

“Our goal is to make something fun and accessible for everyone.” said Executive Producer Pete Blumel (former CoD producer). “We’re excited to be trying things that are still new to the medium. From its very inception, the team has strived to take full advantage of the amazing presence and sense of immersion offered by emerging virtual reality hardware.”

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We’re intrigued by the game’s promise of ‘tank combat’ alongside the FPS staple gameplay and we’re even more intrigued to learn how the team have tackled issues which have previously plagued first person gameplay in virtual reality, specifically nausea.

As reported last week, attendees to today’s VRLA Spring Expo are among the first to experience the game for themselves. The rest of us will have to wait for cinematics and VR gameplay trailers, which are due later this week.

If you’re at the VRLA expo and had a chance to play World War Toons for yourself, let us know what you thoughts on the game.

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Keep in touch with Reload Studios at their Facebook page, twitter account and check out the World War Toons website here.

 

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Based in the UK, Paul has been immersed in interactive entertainment for the best part of 27 years and has followed advances in gaming with a passionate fervour. His obsession with graphical fidelity over the years has had him branded a ‘graphics whore’ (which he views as the highest compliment) more than once and he holds a particular candle for the dream of the ultimate immersive gaming experience. Having followed and been disappointed by the original VR explosion of the 90s, he then founded RiftVR.com to follow the new and exciting prospect of the rebirth of VR in products like the Oculus Rift. Paul joined forces with Ben to help build the new Road to VR in preparation for what he sees as VR’s coming of age over the next few years.
  • Jacob Pederson

    Very brave to be working on an FPS when a lot of nausea problems have not been solved yet. I can play a cockpit VR game like Live for Speed, Lunar Flight or Elite Dangerous for hours with no problems, but all the FPS games have made me very ill so far. I’m interested to see if Reload has come up with anything new for the weak stomachs out there.

  • travisfred

    A few things I haven’t understood about this game. First, somehow this company seems to think they are the first VR game??? There have been numerous games made for or ported to VR up to this point. It’s been all over the internet for many many months. Kind of makes the company look really disingenuous.
    The other question I have is, how are you going to prevent players from sticking their head through walls and objects? Or for that matter, through other players or tanks landing on you? I feel the illusion will be completely broken if the player feels like they are in the world but somehow aren’t effected by these elements.
    Of course as mentioned above, a game like this would undoubtedly make a player beyond nauseous in a matter of minutes. Good luck guys…