Hi everyone! I'm an indie VR developer posting here today with my first game for Oculus Rift! I have created multiple Google Cardboard games before (see them on the Play Store or at https://picoplanetdev.tk), but I have only recently bought a Rift S for PC development. My game is a simple virtual drum set - with a few drums and cymbals and the ability to grab and rearrange them. Playing it is fairly self-explanatory, but just grab the drumsticks and hit the drums. X for snare pedal, Y for bass pedal. Left joystick up/down for snare on/off and menu button (left controller) to reset the drum kit. Here's the link to the Oculus store page: https://www.oculus.com/experiences/rift/3236965312985146/
I submitted it first for review a few weeks ago and mad the necessary changes (like stopping the app when not focused, etc.) and resubmitted it. It has now been approved for keys-only, so I thought I'd post it here so I could get some input on how to make this an Oculus Store-quality game!
Below I have posted 20 keys (can be used here: https://secure.oculus.com/redeem-code/) that will give you access to this game. If you write feedback below in the comments, please paste the key you used so that I can cross it off! If you would like, you can also email me at picoplanetdev@gmail.com.
Any constructive feedback is most welcome. If you would like me to put you on the RC channel, email me at picoplanetdev@gmail.com! P.S.: Sorry that my links don't work, I "need to be around longer" 😉
I havnt tried it but based on the screenshots in your store page i'm going to say the main reasons are:
Below average visuals, its just an untextured super low poly drum set in a generic auditorium with what looks like 1 texture for the floor of the stage.
Lack of content. If its just a drum set and nothing else then there are already other games that do this and more.
You'l need to impress upon oculus that you're doing something unique, varied, visual interesting, and rich in content if you want a store feature
Thanks for the code, I used the first code from your list: 4Q7PY-N6PWF-R7J4F-XM6HW-TKK4R
It's great that you are creating a drum simulator, I play drums in real life and like your style of app.
Overall, I think with time you will have a cool experience. I consider the present state of the app to be pre-alpha with more items to add.
Items I would keep working on:
Drums very far apart, not standard drum kit spacing. I recommend reproducing exact positioning and scale of a standard drum kit, this helps with muscle memory while playing also.
Noticeable audio lag from hitting the drum to sound is too long, high priority.
Drum collision volumes currently produce a sound when stick is lifting up through drum head during the return stroke of a hit, I would scale the trigger volume deeper to avoid this return stroke hit sound.
Having to pick up the drum sticks and physically hold the grip button is physically taxing. Dropping sticks and picking them up is not enjoyable.
The environment art and lighting can use a 2nd pass.
I look forward to playing future versions of VR Drum Kit.
@stevehinan Thank you so much for your feedback - It's really cool that you really play drum kit and I'm really looking forward to implementing your ideas :)!
@stevehinan In response to your very helpful feedback, I am near to releasing a new version of VR Drum Kit, which has implemened the following changes:
I rearranged the default drum spacing using a top-down image of a standard drum kit as a reference. You can also grab and move the drums with thew grip button.
I trimmed the sounds and increased the physics colliders' sensitivity to reduce lag
I did scale the collision volumes larger!
I'm still working on a solution to toggle the drum sticks in and out of your hands.
I revamped the drum models to hi-res models, updated some textures, and added a new practice room. The Practice/Acoustic room has an audio visualizer to "see" the drum beats.
When I release this next version, you should be able to update it in the Oculus app!
Take note everyone coming onto the forums asking why theyve been alocated keys only releases. PicoPlanetDev is clearly explaining the situation, aknowledging issues and making efforts to deal with it. Thats how you get on the store. Keep at it, youve got some work to do but itl get there!
I released a new version, so you should be able to update it in the Oculus app to try it out!
Great! I will check it out.
In case your interested in the path I took...
When I released METAL MULTIBALL it was also as keys only and I continued to update and improve the game as keys only. Before it was approved for the store it was approved to what was called at the time the 'Oculus Gallery', an indie channel of the store for apps that do not meet quality standards required for inclusion on the Oculus Store. I continually updated the game until it looked and felt good enough to be store approved and was eventually approved for sale on the Oculus Store. This took many updates and It's now on the store for Go and Rift but not yet for Quest, I think I understand the quality bar required for Quest and feel METAL MULTIBALL will be Quest worthy in about 6 months. Always updating!
