'Time Machine VR' Title Launches In Early Access, Demo Shown At PAX

By Kevin Carbotte
published

PAX Prime is packed with virtual reality content. We've already mentioned that Oculus will be showing off the consumer version of its hardware, and PAX guests have multiple chances to try out HTC's Vive VR, but that's not all you'll find at the event. Minority Media Inc., based out of Montreal, Canada, is in attendance at this year's expo, and it will be showing Time Machine VR at the company's booth.

Time Machine VR is a title built exclusively for virtual reality, and it's specifically designed with Oculus's Rift in mind. In the game, you will play a time-traveling scientist sent back to the Jurassic period. Here you'll face prehistoric ocean creatures in your search for DNA needed to cure a plague in the current time. You'll be tasked with tracking and probing these creatures to search for the plagues cure.

Minority Media Inc. will be showcasing the game at booth 7408 on the PAX floor, but for those of you at home with an Oculus Rift DK2, the game is available today on Steam. A playable 10-minute long demo of the game is also available to try through Steam, and the company is encouraging people to try it out and offer feedback.

"Making one of the first VR-native games is a challenge, and it's very different from simply adding VR support to a conventional game," said Vander Caballero, CEO and Creative Director of Minority Media. "For Time Machine VR, we've done a ton of research and testing to make sure it offers a meaningful immersive experience. But, we need the feedback and enthusiasm of other true VR fans to help TMVR become a memorable game. I'm sure that Steam Early Access is the best way for us to achieve this."

Time Machine VR is also available to purchase. The game will be priced at $14.99, but until September 3 it can be purchased at a 33 percent discount at $9.99. The company intends to update the game approximately every four weeks, adding more content including levels and creatures, and additional features. Minority Media said the price will go up incrementally with each update, leading up the final release price.

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Kevin Carbotte

 Kevin Carbotte is a contributing writer for Tom's Hardware who primarily covers VR and AR hardware. He has been writing for us for more than four years. 

7 Comments Comment from the forums
  • IQ11110002
    Impressive, But I'll still skip the first gen VR.
    Been too spoilt on 1440p and 4k monitors now to go back to a low res VR headset, Especially when it's only a few inches away from your eyeballs. VR needs to be at least 1440p per eye or better yet 4k so we get no fly wire screen effect at all.
    Reply
  • kcarbotte
    16545533 said:
    Impressive, But I'll still skip the first gen VR.
    Been too spoilt on 1440p and 4k monitors now to go back to a low res VR headset, Especially when it's only a few inches away from your eyeballs. VR needs to be at least 1440p per eye or better yet 4k so we get no fly wire screen effect at all.

    The retail version of the Rift is 2160x1200
    StarVR is doing 1440p per eye.
    Not sure what Vive will be yet.
    Reply
  • Sakkura
    Rift and Vive are both 1080x1200 per eye.
    Reply
  • kcarbotte
    16550373 said:
    Rift and Vive are both 1080x1200 per eye.

    We don't know anything official about the Vive yet.
    what the dev kits are equipped with is not necessarily what the retail version will come with.
    Reply
  • zambutu
    Impressive, But I'll still skip the first gen VR.
    Been too spoilt on 1440p and 4k monitors now to go back to a low res VR headset, Especially when it's only a few inches away from your eyeballs. VR needs to be at least 1440p per eye or better yet 4k so we get no fly wire screen effect at all.

    The resolution takes a hit, yes, but I'm more bothered by the narrow fov. Regardless, vr is such an apples to oranges amazing experience that it'll be worth it to jump on the bandwagon right away. Save the 4k monitor for when you need a break. :p
    Reply
  • Sakkura
    16551196 said:
    16550373 said:
    Rift and Vive are both 1080x1200 per eye.

    We don't know anything official about the Vive yet.
    what the dev kits are equipped with is not necessarily what the retail version will come with.

    HTC literally publicly state that the HTC Vive is 1080 by 1200 on the front page of their HTC VR site. They can no longer change that for release, since the limited release is just a few short months away. Remember, this is not a prototype they're describing, it's the retail version.
    Reply
  • scolaner
    16551196 said:
    16550373 said:
    Rift and Vive are both 1080x1200 per eye.

    We don't know anything official about the Vive yet.
    what the dev kits are equipped with is not necessarily what the retail version will come with.

    HTC literally publicly state that the HTC Vive is 1080 by 1200 on the front page of their HTC VR site. They can no longer change that for release, since the limited release is just a few short months away. Remember, this is not a prototype they're describing, it's the retail version.

    *HTC literally publicly state that the HTC Vive DEVELOPER EDITION is 1080 by 1200 on the front page of their HTC VR site
    Reply