Share your VR playlist for first time VR users!

[Anonymous]

I think I've settled on a pretty solid series of experiences to show the Rift off to friends. It's been exciting to see that my non-gaming friends are far less intimidated by VR than they have been by traditional gaming. I think that has much to do with the device, but I think it also helped that I've used the experiences in an order that eases them in so they can stay in VR for as long as possible during their first time. So here's my go-to playlist:

1. Oculus Home
It's hard, but don't rush people through Home to the games. Let them look around and try to touch invisible objects. Let them laugh and get their bearings. Also use this time to adjust the headset and get them to do the lens spacing setup. 

2. Dreamdeck
Not only does this provide at least a few scenarios that will appeal to everyone, it offers a wide range of sensations and experiences in a very short time frame. That diversity and pacing is unrivaled by any other game or app. It also doesn't involve any camera movement so new users won't come out feeling sick (scared and amazed, maybe, but not sick).

This is where my list splits depending on if the friend is a gamer or a non-gamer.

PLAYLIST FOR NON-GAMERS

3. Lost
You don't want to overwhelm a non-gamer by throwing a controller with a dozen buttons and two sticks on it in their lap and telling them to go have fun. They probably won't. Us longtime gamers have no conception of how ridiculous that thing looks to non-gamers. A much simpler experience is to let them use the Oculus Remote to experience Lost. All three Oculus Story Studio films are great, but Lost is the shortest and, for me, has the most impact.

4. Farlands
Farlands is the kind of game that never really feels like a "game". There's a lot of great "only in VR" moments and the environments and creatures are all fun to look at. It also employs a movement system that keeps nausea at bay.

5. Lucky's Tale
Most non-gamers I've show the Rift to go through the Dreamdeck and one game and are fully satisfied. But if you run into one who's still hungry for more, show them Lucky's Tale. It's intuitive and fun and can be played with just a few buttons. It also uses VR in a completely different way that will keep things manageable. Make sure they're sitting for this one as the camera movement can be a bit much if you're standing.

PLAYLIST FOR GAMERS

3. EVE: Valkyrie
Next we jump into EVE: Valkyrie to show off the sensation of looking down at your own VR body. Everyone loves to see the body move a bit with their own motion (remember to readjust their view with the Xbox view button as it usually loads with the positioning way off) and the ship launch sequence is always a favourite. Let them experience the first mission as they don't have to worry about anything but flying. The sound in EVE will completely cut them off from the outside world so I recommend letting them know the controls quickly before starting the first story mission (far left planet). If they love it (they will), move on to story mission 2 (far right planet) and let them do some combat. Make sure to let them know how to use missiles. Using their line of sight to lock-on to other ships is a marvel.

4. The Climb
The Climb is visually stunning and includes some of the best depth and height perception outside of the Dreamdeck. It's also a simple enough gameplay loop that most gamers can pick it up and experience sweaty palms straight away. This one is extra fun because it's a standing experience and no one realizes how much they move while playing until they take the headset off and realize they're facing a completely different direction.

5. Adr1ft
Be warned, playing this next will 100% end their VR experience. If you're a gamer and have followed VR, everyone wants to play this as soon as possible. Despite my warnings, everyone jumps in and in less than 10-15 minutes they're nauseous and have to stop (one even threw up). It took me weeks to build up the resistance needed for this game, but no matter what you say, everyone thinks they'll be able to handle it. Luckily, this experience hasn't turned off anyone from trying VR again. 

Obviously, you know your friends better and they might really want to play Project Cars or something scary instead. But I've found this has been a great route for getting people excited about VR without overwhelming them.

[Anonymous]

Dreamdeck, Lost, Radial G, Subnautica, and PCars

[Anonymous]

@Nobbs66 How is Radial G? I keep wanting to try it but haven't pulled the trigger.

[Anonymous]

MisterBeebo said:

@Nobbs66 How is Radial G? I keep wanting to try it but haven't pulled the trigger.

it's a blast, but it needs more content. The multiplayer is pretty dead too, so you'll want to get some friends together to play that

[TheWombatCave]

I would put The Showdown updated for CV1 in the list, it will be the first thing I show newbies. I have seen it on youtube numerous times, but experiencing it in the Rift when the robot lunges at the end I was too close so he actually clipped through me. I was so convinced I got hit I almost fell over. It is so realistic, a definite must try.

[CharlieHobbes]

Not a bad list, I would certainly agree with it for most people.

I had a non-gamer friend stay over last weekend and while he hasn't played computer games in 15 years he was involved in kart and car racing for most of his life and is still an avid motorsport fan. He tried all of the above and enjoyed them all. Then I put him in Project Cars (as Assetta hadn't released support for CV1 yet) and put him behind my little budget DFGT and he was pretty much hooked playing all weekend.

There was a 40 year old, non-gamer that turned into a giddy and excited kid again.

That alone was worth $600

He's probably going to go back home, buy a gaming PC, Oculus, proper wheel, buttkicker, and possibly a motion rig. He's got the cash for it.

I fear I may have created a monster.

[mambo1888]

I would say your list is pretty spot on, I have been playing Chronos today and the start of that would be a good little demo then it moves on to some simple gameplay so they can get a feel for it. I would say project cars and euro truck simulator 2 are excellent for showing of if you have a wheel and pedals. Showdown is another good looking demo.