EvadeVR

*EvadeVR is no longer available to download. I've lost the builds of the game that I distributed, but I do have the project files so it is possible for me to resurrect the game at some point.

EvadeVR is a VR martial arts training application I built in early 2015. The platform was the Oculus DK2. I developed the program over the course of 3 weeks. It is incredibly simple; You just stand in one place and dodge punches and kicks. You cannot strike back. Early 2015 was a problematic time to be a VR dev since there were no standard controllers on the few headsets that existed. Previously the Razer Hydra, wired hand controllers that used magnetic tracking had been the most commonly used. Sadly the Hydra had been discontinued. So I wanted to make an application that only used the position of the user's head (head tracking was a new feature of the DK2). 

Here is the original content of the website from 2015:

This is the alpha of a VR fighting demo I have been working on called EvadeVR. It's more of a proof-of-concept training tool than a game, although I may add game features later. In the demo you have an opponent in front of you that throws punches and kicks, and you must evade the strikes by slipping or ducking them. I got the idea because I used to train martial arts and boxing as a teenager and it was difficult for me to get people to stand there and throw punches at me so I could practice slipping. Back then there was nothing like the Kinect so it was not an easy thing to automate, but now with the positional tracking of the DK2 that has changed.

Download the game on Oculus Share 

This is a standing experience (make sure there are no objects around you that you could potentially hit when you dodge the attacks). You cannot hit back in this version, but when there is a 6 DOF controller that is more ubiquitous I will make a fighting game where you can hit back.

Features

• Uses the positional tracking of the DK2 to allow you to physically slip and duck the attacks.
• Completely hands free UI, since the gameplay involves standing away from your desk where you cannot reach your keyboard.
• Uses inverse kinematics (IK) so that punches are directed toward your head. The attacker will aim at where your head is when he first starts throwing the punch, giving you a short window of time to dodge the attack. IK is not used for the kicks.
• Flexible options. You can adjust the attack speed and how frequently your opponent attacks. You can also choose whether your opponent punches, kicks, or both. You can also switch your opponent between orthodox (left leg in front) and southpaw (right leg in front) stances.

Instructions

• Launch the application (in Windows make sure that your Rift is in direct mode, and run the DirectToRift version of the executable).
• Put on your Oculus Rift DK2 and stand away from the DK2 camera. Make sure the camera is positioned so that it will be able to track your head position as you stand, slip to the left or right, and duck. Make sure there are no objects around you that you could possibly hit when you move. Especially make sure there are no walls around you that you could slam your head into.
• The initial screen will show the title of the application and give you some options. The user interface is controlled by where you are looking (the orientation of your head). When you look at the panel in front of you there will be a crosshair that marks where you are looking. When you are ready to continue, press the "Continue" button.
• The next screen will set the base position and orientation of your head. Stand up straight and look directly ahead. Press the "Play Game" button if you are satisfied with the position setting, or "Reset Orientation" if you would like to reset the position.
• During the game you can open the options menu by looking at the word "Options" which is on the ground below your feet.

Here is a video that one gameplay video that was uploaded by a user: