Week 2: Across Three Platforms

Max:

So what are we making right now?

Jerry:

We are making our technical pipeline run through.

Three Platforms, Two Network Clients

We are working with 3 different platforms, where each player is on a different one.

When considering how to streamline them together, we used to think that we need to make PC the server, Mobile and VR the clients.

But eventually, our tech pipeline runs in this way:

PC-VR shares the same console, as Server. Mobile works as the client.

Because technically, we can let PC console render to both VR headset, and a TV screen, while receiving inputs from both sides as well.

Plus, it will be a nightmare to synchronize all the moving objects across VR and PC platform, especially visual effects.

Regarding technology, our focus is to use the minimum technology to implement imaginative design ideas.

So, how to do with mobile?

What data should we synchronize between PC-VR (server) and Mobile?

The real question is: what should mobile players see?

Should mobile players only stare at their screen? If the three players are already playing in the same room, it will feel awkward for mobile players to be “on their phone” all the time.

Maybe they should share the same (big TV) screen with PC players?

In this case, mobile player need to pay attention to the big screen (PC player’s) for most of the time, while sometimes check their small screen (mobile device).

So, mobile is basically a fancy controller.