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Stress Level Zero today launches its virtual reality game Bonelab as the latest entry in its experimental physics series.
The creator of the predecessor title Boneworks is back with physics-first simulated gameplay and interaction. And one of the highlights of Bonelab is that you can modify it. The new title will debut on Meta’s Meta Quest 2 headset and other PC VR headsets.
The company said the first part of the game offers a quick run through of the basic concepts and battles before entering the main lab environment where the options open up. From the lab, players can try out different levels to play in and explore. After playing at least three levels, players can solve a crane puzzle and then find a path to the third part of the game.
The final set of levels may take some time and will introduce a variety of newer concepts. After that, players can keep coming back to a physics sandbox, which has a plethora of unlockable objects.
Origin
The layered story of Bonelab fits seamlessly with that of Boneworks. Stress Level Zero may be familiar to early VR fans, as it created Hover Junkers all the way back in 2016.
Boneworks originally came out in 2019. That title earned Steam’s Best of VR Platinum in 2019 and every year since.
The title represents the ongoing evolution of Stress Level Zero’s Marrow1 VR physics foundation, which was originally developed for Boneworks. Bonelab extends and polishes the mechanics further in the simulation by offering a seamless transition between avatars, vehicles and improved physics tuning, the company said.
The basic idea is that you can explore a mysterious lab full of weapons, enemies, challenges and secrets. You must escape your reality and avoid your death sentence for being an outcast. You can also explore user-generated levels.
You must discover a path to a hidden underground research facility beneath the depths of MythOS City. Players will encounter a series of challenging experiments and discoveries throughout the adventure. Using a variety of ranged weapons, melee weapons and exotic physics weapons, players must battle enemies and solve puzzles with a whole arsenal. Importing custom avatars allows for further experimentation with player gameplay by offering matching physical stat adjustments.
At the same time, next-generation virtual reality gaming devices are now selling massively. Last year, Oculus alone sold more VR headsets than Microsoft Xboxs. According to market researcher IDC, year-over-year sales of VR devices increased overall by more than 92% in 2021, with annual shipments projected to reach 50 million units by 2026. Of course, it may be more difficult now that Meta, hit by rising numbers inflation and parts shortages, increased the price of the Meta Quest 2 headsets by $100 for this fall.
Stress Level Zero is supported by Transcend Fund.
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