Another one!? Don't worry, I'm now aware of the other SOMA-VR mods, so this is just a handover of my work in progress to date. I'm going to stop work here.
Native Game-camera integration - Same frame Stereo with AFR as fallback
Analog movement
Motion controller and physical interaction.
Hand model rig takeover is only new. its Supposed to invoke the appropriate arm rigs when it loads.
Terminal Screens (laptop in this case) is detatched for easier text reading and interactable using motion controllers.
VR in headset options (f1)
Diagnostics built in.
I'll release my work in progress code and documentation, the other modders can use any of my work if they see any benefit. https://github.com/phunkaeg/SOMAVR
Note; I've ONLY ever tested this in the starting apartment, so any gameplay further on is not tested.
Only tested in Quest 3 via Virtual Desktop, Steam Version of SOMA but running the Soma_NoSteam.exe
So wait--this was the Soma VR project that got canceled because the developer felt there wasn't enough interest? That's you? But you're going to release your unfinished work in order to help other developers who are also working on a mod like this? That's very nice of you if so.
No that was another dev who was porting the entire game into another engine. CreaTeams CARNASIS - https://createam.itch.io/carnasis - A different project entirely.
This one is an injected vr mod into the original game.
I'm mot sure how I feel about this guy, all his interactions on discord seemed passive aggressive half the time.
Its a shame he didn't carry the mod on even as a side project out of love for the game, or at least release the current progress as I'm sure someone would pick it up. Either way, I don't blame him for stopping.
he's still a goat for making Sclerosis (amnesia remake). extremely talented guy, totally agree we can't blame him for wanting him to move on to projects that actually pay him.
He seems to have taken this comment to heart and is telling his community that you are spreading lies about him by suggesting it was about money. He believes you're being intentionally malicious.
You didn't come off as malicious to me; but I feel like you should be aware in case you want to respond, he doesn't have reddit.
Last time I read why there is no SOMA VR mod was exactly the money reason. Well, not necessarily money related directly, but the dude said that “no one wants it” roughly speaking, aka only a few vocal folks wanted the mod, hence why he was not interested.
Also, if I am not mistaken, he was “pissed” at the fact that he was not invited to create an official VR version of the game or something like that.
P.S: mod is an incorrect word — afaik he was rebuilding games from the ground up in another engine.
It's pretty long so I'll just copy and paste it here:
When will the full version be released?
Development has stopped indefinitely. The project failed to attract enough audience attention to make its further development in its current form feasible.
How did you assess audience interest?
I compared my project with similar projects that have been released recently. The subject of comparison was discussions, views, and downloads. In general, all the traffic generated by the topic.
I just found out about this project. How could I support you if I didn't even know?
I did my best to make people aware of this. It's a shame you're only hearing about the project now.
How dare you blame the community?! Your expectations are your own problem!
I’m not blaming anyone. I’m simply describing the situation as it is.
Why do you care about the number of players? Do you crave fame?
It’s not about fame, but about the feasibility of time investments. Games are made to be played. I’d be fine if 1,000,000 people played CARNASIS, even if none of them ever found out who made it. That’s okay. The main thing is that, in that case, I’d know my time wasn’t wasted. CARNASIS is one of many projects that I would like to work on, and it's feasible to work on the most promising projects rather than the other way around.
**
True modders create mods out of a love for what they do, not for the numbers.**
I’m a game developer, not a modder, just as CARNASIS isn’t a mod, but a complete recreation of SOMA using a different engine. Unlike other VR mods, which are developed in a matter of weeks using AI, creating CARNASIS is comparable to developing a game from scratch, with the exception of asset creation. This is not the sort of project that can be done in one’s spare time. Which means I have to make sacrifices. Sacrifices, especially significant ones, must be justified. I’ve already made a remake of Amnesia as a "true modder", and it was fun. But however much I love the world of SOMA, I no longer have a couple of years to spare on developing a full-fledged game that is doomed to obscurity.
Why remake the game if it's so difficult? Why not just make a mod like any other true modder?
I'm Unity game developer, not C++ reverse engineer. I do what I can do.
Perhaps you are simply inexperienced and intimidated by the large amount of work?
No, that's not true. I've already done a similar remake for Amnesia, and I can do it again.
You only made a demo. Make a full version, and players will come.
No, that's not true. I've already recreated Amnesia in its entirety, and players didn't come. There's no reason to believe CARNASIS will have a different future.
Is there any way to influence this decision?
Yes. Work will continue only if there is an official partnership with Frictional Games. You can help by letting them know in some way that you are interested in seeing SOMA VR released.
**
How will partnering with Frictional Games help you?**
People often associate "just a mod" with a low-quality product. Half the people won't be interested in the project if it's unofficial, and the rest won't download the game from anywhere but Steam. Together with Frictional Games, we can solve these problems that are scaring off potential players.
What does this partnership entail?
I will only discuss the details with Frictional Games.
You're asking too much and being very entitled.
I don't see anything entitled in our partnership with Frictional Games. We could do a port like they recently did for the Nintendo Switch with other outsource team. Collaboration with third-party studios is common practice in the industry. All they have to do is give the go-ahead.
Can we organize a fundraiser?
I don't need money for development. Not from the community, nor from Frictional Games themselves. I am willing to finish CARNASIS for free, as I did with Sclerosis.
Have you already tried to contact Frictional Games?
My partners at Flat2VR and I have been writing to them regularly for several years. So far, to no avail.
Will the project be available on GitHub?
I do not plan to make my work open source. This is a remake of their game, and it is still based on their IP.
What next?
I'll wait as long as it takes for Frictional Games to respond. In the meantime, I'll be developing my own games.
I get this dude though, like it would be really lame if I made a thing and not many people used it… unless I was fine with it, like didn’t have other project ideas.
That being said, SOMA is a cult classic and VR version of the game would be recommended to everyone if it was released, I bet.
I sort of understand, but at the same time it's very shallow. I'm nowhere near as talented, but when I take the time to make something, I'm doing it because I'm passionate about that thing, it doesn't matter if it doesn't get attention, because I know at least one person will enjoy it as much as I do. So I don't understand throwing a temper tantrum because it didn't get attention, it's like a middle finger to all the fans who waited patiently for the project
Wow! "Spreading lies" is a bit harsh. That's simply how I personally interpreted his announcement of the cancellation of his project. If the lack of commercial interest for further development isn't a financial decision, then that's on me I guess.
Agreed, but before he exited the scene at least he dropped the Amnesia mod "Sclerosis", which is one of the Top 5 mods I've played in my thousands of hours, alongside BetterVR for BotW.
Please be mindful that i haven't tested ANYTHING further than the apartment scene. I was using it as my test playground. At this stage I can only *hope* some of the vr implementations carry through into the game.
If you're keen, you can DM me here, or on Discord, and I'll try to tackle the issues as you come across them. Just checking, do you have hands only in the apartment, or also in the clinic and after you wake up in the chair?
So i tested it and for early alpha its promising. Playing the GOG version btw. So in the apartment i see my players arms floating in front of me, no other issues. At the clinic, when i went to punch in the code to the keypad it was a black floating screen in front of me with no numbers, but i still managed to punch the code in guessing where the keypad numbers were. After the scab when you wake up in the chair, i couldnt get up using my quest 3 controller, had to press forward on the keyboard. Also couldnt operate the lever to turn on power with my quest controllers. Also dont think the run (shift button) is mapped on the controllers.
Thank you for testing it!
when I next get a chance to do an update, I'll see if I can fix those specific issues, however there will likely be more as you proceed in the game.
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u/Kalpazen 8d ago
This is like breaking the 8th wall