Netflix released a VR game called Eden Unearthed for Oculus Quest in App Lab. Users with virtual reality devices can now download and use it for free. This release was a surprise, as there was almost no information (if any) available outside of the App Lab list. Netflix is listed as the first-party publisher and developer of the game on App Lab, and the game’s release date is April 21.
The way App Lab apps are indexed is different from the title of the Oculus Store, which means that if no one gets a link to App Lab, they can basically be published without anyone else knowing. Whether the April release date was to log a bug or the app hasn’t been on the list since then, it is definitely available now, and it’s completely free.
This game seems to be related to Netflix’s anime series Eden. Although it is still unclear what Netflix’s VR project is other than a matching project, I am sure that you who wear VR glasses are impressed by this seemingly limited but highly polished, immersive and comfortable experience.
The background of this game (and the anime related to it) is in the distant future, in a world without humans, completely organized by robots. You control a futuristic motorcycle, ride in vast and changeable landscapes, collect apples as fuel, avoid obstacles, and try to reach maximum speed without hitting anything. At different points on the track, you will park your car next to a landmark and receive a short narration to advance the story, while seeing the visual effects of your bike on a small portable screen.
This is a very loose story and game structure-although you are obviously following some form of narrative, you can also ride on the track for as long as possible and drive as far as possible before running out of fuel To compete for a global high score.
This experience is obviously for simplicity, perhaps for education, but also for you an interesting machine-motorcycle-to play with. Fortunately, the motorcycle is very well controlled and super exciting at high speeds. This is a very intuitive and clear control system, and its design obviously also takes comfort into account. The motorcycle cockpit in front of you suppresses motion sickness to a large extent, and it also has a subtle feeling of dizziness when turning tight corners.
Even after playing Eden Unearthed for about 15 minutes, it is difficult to measure the scope and goals of the project, but it feels somewhere between games, immersive narratives and educational tools. This may be the first of many VR projects that Netflix is about to launch-former Facebook VR content director Mike Verdu now works at Netflix, as does producer Shonda Rhimes, and he may also be involved in VR projects.
Eden Unearthed can be obtained through App Lab for Oculus Quest. Please pay attention to more news and information in the future.
