Toast Interactive is leading a charge for Aussie-made VR games

Toast Interactive is leading a charge for Aussie-made VR games

Australians are known for creating excellent video games. Global hits in recent years include Untitled Goose Game, Unpacking, and Cult of the Lamb, all of which have raised awareness of the talent in the area. However, in the same time frame that traditional games have received the most attention, virtual reality games have also subtly expanded in scope and ambition.

With its work on games like Max Mustard and Richie's Plank Experience, Toast Interactive is among the companies spearheading a significant push for new Australian-made VR experiences.

Hey Toast Interactive, pass the (Max) Mustard

Max Mustard, the newest game from Toast Interactive, is the result of years of experimentation and pushing the boundaries of virtual reality gaming. In the third-person adventure, players assume the character of the daring explorer Max Mustard and navigate virtual obstacle courses. The game is currently playable on Meta Quest and will soon be accessible on PC VR and PlayStation VR2.

As Eastes puts it, the idea for the game originated from being told what not to do—a quintessential example of Australian obstinacy and perseverance.

Not every movement is equal, so if your eyes tell you that you're moving when your body isn't, you could feel ill. You can become ill very rapidly if the camera revolves [in the incorrect direction]. It's not too horrible if it rotates left and right. The easiest motion for the body to handle is moving forward in a straight line without turning. That implies that you should plan out every level in advance; that is the goal of every level we have created.

Traditional games vs. virtual reality

Despite these peculiarities, Eastes continues to think there isn't much of a difference between regular and VR gaming. Comfort-related obstacles must be overcome, but the fundamentals of game development don't change. Although the immersion of Max Mustard is unique, virtual reality can be used to better engage player senses and create a world full of wonder. In its current state, virtual reality (VR) only opens up new avenues for involvement while arousing the same intense feelings as more conventional games.

Eastes relied on his amateur experiences in game jams and prototyping to learn more about the medium and the interplay between traditional and VR games as he began his VR game creation career through a process of trial and error.

The path ahead

Like many other developers in Queensland, Toast Interactive received money from Screen Queensland to help with the creation of Max Mustard. According to Eastes, this procedure made it possible for Toast Interactive to grow as well as to find and hire fresh talent.

For many years, Australia has experienced a talent drain to some extent as game developers are compelled to relocate abroad in order to secure stable employment. Initiatives such as the game development financing program offered by Screen Queensland enable local talent to advance their careers and guarantee that games have a home in Australia.

With regard to the VR market, Eastes stated, "It's just growing and growing." "There's a new wave of growth with each release of a new headset. a rise in long-term commitments from individuals committing to it I still stand by my forecast from five years ago that VR will surpass AR (Augmented Reality) in the coming ten years.

Although VR adoption rates have been erratic recently and cost is still a deterrent for many potential users, there is a future in which the technology will play a significant role in both leisure and business. Therefore, Toast Interactive's and other Australian VR game makers' efforts are still crucial. Likewise, backing their work does.

The Toast Interactive team plans to innovate in the VR sector in the upcoming months by releasing Max Mustard on additional VR devices and working on undisclosed projects. The studio, together with its colleagues in Queensland and around Australia, is in a prime position to capitalize on the growing interest in virtual reality and accept its leadership position in the worldwide VR gaming industry.