PARADISE ISLAND - Virtually A Game

I really hope devs aren't going to assume VR means they don't have to try.

[@MellowGaming]

This is like travelling around an island populated with nothing but shared posts from my Aunt's facebook timeline. Well, except for the lack of Britain First posts.

[@ThisNameIsVeryClever]

This is like the kind of game a fortune cookie message would try to make.

[@AGrayPhantom]

I dunno. There are fortune cookie simulators more engaging than this.

[@proudguardofwhiterun5770]

*VR is announced* Reaction: "Oh man, Sword Art Online here I come!" *VR games released* Reaction: "I can wait another 20 years."

[@gasenkotsu]

+Arrow In Eye A quality VR-only MMORPG would require huge commitment and resources from a skilled developer. Also, they would have to pioneer some technology and gameplay that would differentiate it from "normal" MMOs. Not sure if anyone up for that just yet, since VR is just starting to take off. My interest right now lies more in the realm of VR being a supplement to already existing quality games rather than in VR-centric software. Like, I would be very interested in playing through Skyrim or GTA V in VR.

[@CreeperKiller666]

+gunflame I would like to see World of Warcraft or Morrowind with VR technology.

[@ruekurei88]

+Igni Draco Umm, never played WoW, only it's clones, but exactly would you hotkey stuff with that thing strapped to your face? Unless you can use a controller or set it up beforehand for it?

[@CreeperKiller666]

SaintAlia_of_the_Games I imagine most players rarely look at the keyboard when they play wow. You rarely every change your keybindings and it just becomes muscle memory after a while.

[@TheIncognitusMe]

+Arrow In Eye .hack*

[@phoenixlich]

if time and space are frozen... then how/why are the fish moving?!

[@folver91]

Fishes swim through time space. This game is a way to prove it.

[@AGrayPhantom]

My immersion is ruined.

[@spacemonkey0899]

Well Asked...

[@IronClawGaming]

Becaaaaaaause... Why the fuck not?

[@kelly-robertkinney2227]

+Cooltrainer Ian It was written in a book; you expect fish to read?

[@dontrestyourhead]

Calling this an MMO is generous. It's an O, I'll give it that.

[@einootspork]

Honestly, the worst part for me is all the pseudo-Zen self-help garbage in the books lying around. UGHHHHHHH

[@DreamcastGuy]

Wow, it's like a "I'm terribly lost at a fancy beach resort" simulator. Why was this made?!

[@scoundrelneo913]

Yu nun dis iz bes gaem evar!

[@burningflurber]

I'm not rich enough to go to a fancy beach resort and I'm not stupid enough to get lost there so this is a great way to give me such a thrilling experience in the comfort of my home.

[@FizzleFX]

+DreamcastGuy you forgot 2016... without the year it aint a simulator

[@burningflurber]

+For lack of a better name sure as long as credit me (although i won't check so i guess it doesn't matter)

[@narusferree6506]

+DreamcastGuy Sounds like you're speaking from experience

[@Flaming_Devil]

I would rather have called this "Purgatory Island".

[@folver91]

Only if there was a guy following you trying to sell those beach shit

[@MocharaidThree]

Y'know, I'd probably enjoy this as a VR experience, if I'm being honest. Seems pretty relaxing ^_^

[@vaultboy-repair6799]

So is sleeping

[@MocharaidThree]

Hmm, touché, good sir :P

[@Assimandeli]

+VaultBoy-Repair And you don't enjoy sleeping?

[@anikmonette2140]

Bryan Gray Maybe with more music and level variety I'd totally dig that as well...

[@MadDemon64]

It's like Second Life, but with less to do.

[@InsanityPlusOne]

+MadDemon64 And no people

[@MadDemon64]

SketchSlayer That too.

[@g1nobleteam]

+SketchSlayer Apparently people are just Blue Balls of fart gas in this game.

[@DrMcMoist]

+MadDemon64 Is Second Life still a thing?

[@ZuzaZaleno]

+MadDemon64 What ARE you supposed to do in Second Life?! I installed it once but I just walked for five minutes I and then uninstalled.

[@badgerbane]

'on this island, time and space are frozen. Except for the fish. We couldn't figure out how to freeze those, the science just isn't there yet'

[@ZogDaMegnivizint]

That first fish Jim found was the same stripy orange fish from that pop-up book thing he played once. I don't just mean it's the same kind of fish, or modeled after the same fish, I mean _it is the exact same model from that "game" which came out two years ago!_ I wonder which stock asset package it comes in?

[@berndberndsen5680]

"We found a fish! The first sign of actual fucking life!" he says after walking past dozens of plants. #plantlivesmatter

[@CreeperKiller666]

+Bernd Berndsen How do you know those plants were alive? They could have been recently deceased plants.

[@vaultboy-repair6799]

+Igni Draco 🙃

[@gamesman0118]

+Bernd Berndsen All the plants could be fake.

[@shhwonk]

+Gamesman01 Well, all the fish could be fake.

[@Xxx_EvilSmurf_xxX]

+Shhwonk they are #nofishinthesea #loveisalie

[@theresastarmanwaitinginthe5149]

Take me down to The Paradise Island, Where the sand is boring and the graphics are crappy.

[@vaultboy-repair6799]

😆👍

[@Tedphoenician]

+ZappaB Gulla Gulla!

[@cenvor2684]

The real philosophy here is that paradise is the real hell.

[@OrangeyChocolate]

I made some observations while this video was running. Here are my findings: There are no character models, with player avatars being represented as wispy balls of blue smoke/fire. This is called "Not being bothered to design, render and/or animate proper character models". There is nothing to do except wander around a dismal, empty island, with no way to interact with other players. This is called "Not being competent enough to design a fulfilling interactive experience". There are a few objects scattered around that can be picked up, but make no perceivable impact on the game or the player experience. This is called "Trying to create the illusion of gameplay without having any actual gameplay". The game is littered with pseudo-intellectual proverbs planted around the world map in random locations for the sole purpose of being "deep" and "meaningful". This is called "Being pretentious". The single conceit of the game is to show off the 360 degree viewing capability of the VR headset, despite such functionality having already been proven. This is called "Cashing in on an exciting and potentially highly profitable new market". My conclusion: 'Paradise Island' is a cynical hack job cobbled together by incompetent so-called developers in an attempt to cash in on the emerging VR gaming market with as little effort as possible. Final thoughts: Working, affordable VR is an interesting (but by no means revolutionary) new venture that has staggering amounts of potential for creating highly immersive and fulfilling interactive experiences, but games like Paradise Island will likely sully the image of VR if they continue to follow its example.

[@ThePoptartster]

IGN 10/10 Game of the Year. "It's like Skyrim with yawns!"

[@NineHydras]

The potential VR provides for horror application excites me more than anything, it adds the extra level of just raw, primal immersion but I share your concerns Jim. I want it to do well...

[@Jason0binladen]

they got to calm the player down, mellow them out because they're going to be bored and angry playing this bullshit

[@Jason0binladen]

like those woods they're making a scary movie about

[@jeffdidnot]

+Jason Miller See the documentaries about Aokigahara instead. They are really terrifying. The movie will suck.

[@Jakeltons]

+Jason Miller Woods?

[@bubbagurt2402]

+Jason Miller lmao

[@KaiserAfini]

Where is the gameplay ? Is it added by DLC ?

[@iamagiantcat]

+KaiserAfini only EA would be that silly

[@Torvinoid]

+Isak Larsson Ubisoft and EA would team up to do it more likely

[@seanmiller6583]

you know, vr for dear esther or the beginners guide really doesn't sound like a bad idea

[@jacemachine]

I like to think that there was a mummified giant's corpse inside that large Buddha statue.

[@ruekurei88]

+Jacemachine Gaming So you're saying it could actually be a Gantz game?

[@indiebitably7684]

+SaintAlia_of_the_Games of this is a gantz game then we have officially found something worse than the final season of the gantz anime

[@ruekurei88]

Indiebitably Yeah, but it's still better than the manga ending.

[@indiebitably7684]

SaintAlia_of_the_Games I never read the manga ending I stopped reading somewhere along the bit where they got on the ship. But dear god the final season of the anime just made zero sense, they would have been better off ending the season before and not trying to make up an ending.

[@ruekurei88]

Indiebitably The anime came out before the manga ended though. Stuff like that is always a problem. It messed up the ending for Claymore as well. Although they sort of ended the same way, but what happened at the end of the manga was more...umm glorious. Gantz did kind of went in a wtf direction though, and some things were never sorted out. I mean what the hell was up with the vampires, and why didn't we ever see them again? But that's what happens when you find a hot property, you gotta cash-in when you get the chance. You might not get a second season for a variety of reasons as well.

[@MalboM]

Honored to be cited by Jim Sterling, even for the bad :D Thanks Jim More updated to come btw! Maybe there will be something to do

[@WandererEris]

I honestly don't think VR will go anywhere. It's going to become like driving wheels and fight pads where it's nice for people who play games that use them, but it'll never be game-changing or mainstream.

[@OdaSwifteye]

I stand by the notion that motion controls and VR are better for an Arcade than it will ever be for someone's home.

[@sascachuhuan]

This game has a serious lack of Fish AI

[@ZeGermanFox]

Not Next Gen

[@mel0_archive498]

The game looks visually pleasing, despite the lack of content. I wonder what asset pack it came from.

[@tgh1466]

If the developers want to save this game, a surprising turn toward horror using the seemingly innocuous platitudes strewn around is in order.

[@objectiveasylum]

thank you Jim. someone else sees all the hype surrounding VR when it's going to end up specialized hardware for competition level FPSs or first person survival horror games with very few gaming applications outside of that as far as I can see. it's, in my opinion, going to end up the way of the Rockband controller set. Hyped until blue balls but is in the end an overpriced novelty unless they can figure out more to do with it

[@davevincenty291]

I'm going to come right out and say it. Games that work in VR: -- first-person games that are a bit slower paced than any decent FPS Games that DON'T work in VR: --any decent FPS (the quick movements would make me sick) --any third-person game --any Diablo-style hack-and-slash game --any game where fixed camera angles are part of the experience --any 2D game --any game I'd ever want to play for any reason Without VR: -- "Oh, hey, Dave, what game are you playing today?" -- "Hello, friend, why take a look at this screen right in front of me and let us have a nice conversation about it! With VR: -- "Oh, hey, Dave, what game are you playing today?" -- "AAAH! Who's there?!?! Don't bother me! I'm playing a game!" So anyway, every time someone says something positive about virtual reality headsets as a concept, I get a little bit sadder inside.

[@BittPlayerProduction]

The setting might be good for some kind of Myst-style puzzle game, where you go around the island solving puzzles and working out a mystery, but the developers seemed to have skipped a few vital steps in the design process.

[@AstraVex]

Btw, Albino Lullaby has been built with Oculus Rift in mind and THAT will make this "game" look like Mega Bollocks!

[@Illasera]

I have managed to fall asleep during your review after 4 minutes, Thanks man, i feel fresh now.

[@vaultboy-repair6799]

A new low for walking simulators, in fact so low it's a Crawling simulator (the orb can't even swim, it just sinks)

[@Momo_shuu]

I mean, it looks okay. That's really it

[@Fabrysiheder]

funnily enough I used to have the dev (MalboM) on my friendslist, he made many other "great hits" such as Woodle Tree Adventure and Way of Life

[@EagleDarkX]

The game in which you can chase your own tail like a dog.

[@221b]

"Stretches the bounds of the definition of gaming!" - Jim Sterling

[@necromanzer52]

This has nothing on ostrich island.

[@michaelmullins3495]

Atleast it looks nice. It may have nothing to do, but it does look like people actually tried to make it look nicer then some Greenlight games like that LVL 99 or other games along those lines.

[@friend_qqqqq3709]

ah yes, i had completely forgotten of the "smiling is the highest form of meditation" sutra.

[@LuffyBlack]

When Jim said "Paradise on an island" the Mike Lu and Ogg song came to mind.

[@KamikazeCommie501]

If VR tech was anything more than just looking at crap differently, it would have taken off in the 90s when it was first popular.

[@The_Lump]

Whenever someone brings up Dear Esther, I usually call it "An OK audiobook with pretty visuals to go along." and hardly anyone ever disagrees. Yep.

[@DHominis]

If the in game avatars are floating balls of blue energy, what would stop it floating over any steps?

[@radiobob1908]

I think a Planet Earth documentary in VR would be cool. That's the only thing I can think of that would actually be better in VR. This is just Purgatory.

[@huhhhhhhhhhhhh09]

This made me want a VR monkey island game, that'd be fun.

[@OneSweetChannel]

At the minimum, walking simulators are still an OKAY thing to make if you make a good one. BUT, you gotta make a good walking simulator. Gone Home would be pretty awesome on VR. Stanley Parable would be quite trippy and fun on VR. The Beginner's Guide would be very cool too. Then you have more advanced games like Antichamber on VR would be outstanding. It's not a walking simulator, but imagine walking around that world in VR, it'd be amazing. Point is, the minumum you can make is a GOOD walking simulator. And you still have to make a good walking simulator or you're just wasting everyone's time.

[@Lord_St]

Looks like some sort of asset map that you'd have to build your own game on

[@TheFlusteredCustard]

I wish I could watch this with the commentary, but also as a third person following Jim's soul thingy as he wanders and rants.

[@Ericnorify]

I find the enviroment quite pleasing tbh. I would very much want a game like this with higher graphical fidelity when I get a VR headset.

[@DukeWooze]

Have you seen Hover Junkers? I think that game shows off pretty well what VR is capable of. I think the reason there are so many of these tech demo games is because any serious developer is going to be afraid of designing a game specifically for VR. The reason being is not every one will be able to use (motion sickness for example) or afford VR technology. I heard that the Oculus Rift is going to be around 300 USD and that's quite a lot for a peripheral.

[@steampunkskunk3638]

I'm currently upgrading my pc, I was wondering if I should spend a lot to make it "VR ready". if this is what the first generation of VR games is like I won't bother.

[@vaultboy-repair6799]

Don't rush as VR is still young (in fact it's not even born yet) I would give VR 1 to 2 years before we see amazing games

[@steampunkskunk3638]

That is what I was thinking, the 2nd generation of any technology is always better

[@FeralDragon]

devs that try... now that is a relic of the past

[@The_Order_Of_William_Marshal]

Also, how do you control the games on GEAR VR? Isn't the phone plugged into the device? Do you need a controller or does it come with one?

[@Nuvizzle]

My friend got me this for Christmas. Obviously purely for trolling purposes. I think this may be the new Bad Rats, now that everyone already owns Bad Rats.

[@torieldreemurr5036]

it's quite relaxing to me, honestly, and the concept of SOULs disgeae-style is actually something that isn't done to death, and is a relaxing change of pace for me. I hink I only saw so done in twilight princess, but you never played as a soul, despite the design, and the souls weren't much for interaction outside of the story, so you always felt lonely. You still get this vibe here, but not with everything constantly trying to kill you. While most don't see the appeal, I say that the message about smiling honestly gave me a little chuckle.

[@vaultboy-repair6799]

😔 so because it's not done to death it's ok? How is this called a game? It's a fortune cookie game

[@torieldreemurr5036]

VaultBoy-Repair where did I imply any of the following? I still remember jims video where he called out people who don't call things a video game. "IT'S NOT A VIDEO GAME!" (Jimquisition). Honestly, it managed to get a giggle from me. But I guess "joy begets anger" (Jimquisition). Not assuming anything about you, just giving food for thought, we can smile even as things seem weird to smile or even chuckle about.... But, judge me how you'd like. I'll gladly take said critiscisms. Yeah, I guess it could be considered a fortune cookie game, it probably is, but still some of the messages gave me a chuckle, for there is wisdom behind every word spoke. One of the quotes actually remeinded me of what my son said... Kinda why I chuckled, on a promise I made, and just talking to you is giving me a polite smile. So thanks.

[@DumbOfAsh]

+Toriel Dreemurr I'd rather pay for something with effort put into it instead of a half assed cash grab like this

[@torieldreemurr5036]

Cancer-kun perhaps... or perhaps I'm just so "primitive" that I like something, and see pottential where n one else does... it got a chuckle from me... quotes I could hear my son saying right now... I... honestly feel a bit at home with that, plus I already have an impressive steam library... do I just not care? Or is it an excuse for being one of he most relaxed people on this earth? ha... don't know, and I honestly just want to feel at ease... I bought the stanley parable for one scene alone, and it's nice, sweet R&R, this game here gave me a chuckle, I'm not asking you to understand why... I just hope you can one day understand... I stand by my point, but I won't force your hand to see where I'm coming from... There is meaning behind every word, for every line of text... And I understand if you don't understand...

[@DumbOfAsh]

+Toriel Dreemurr im not saying these types of games are bad, I'm just saying this is a bad example of one. try looking up Proteus, that's a good game with the same general concept

[@tmsphere]

It's like The Witness but you feel smart when you give up on it

[@ruekurei88]

A purgatory/afterlife MMO seeing other people as souls sounds like a cool idea though. For gameplay something like Myst or Journey would be cool. Well depending on how the purgatory or hell is, but it'd be an interesting experience. Don't know what this beach Facebook posts thing is going for though.

[@SherrifOfNottingham]

And now we can all say we watched Jim Sterling chase his own tail.

[@DynamiteRaven]

Wait, was that... Jim chasing his own tail? Brilliant!

[@Torvinoid]

The "blue cloud" is a traditional Japanese representation of a soul I believe.

[@anikmonette2140]

Just in case you want to defend this: there's free access beaches everywhere(if you're not a resident there might be a small fee) but here you go! And if it's just to "relax" there's plenty of free yoga music on KZbin and if you close your eyes and use your imagination you can see plenty of beaches, even ones with red skies with rainbows and violet waters full of strange yet beautiful flora...

[@willreaver1425]

Cats and dogs feel justified as they watch Jim Sterling chase his own tail

[@白海塔]

I thought that Jim would have titled the video :"Paradise Island: Literal Oblivion"

[@JMartinni]

Eh, doesn't really matter, this is just a step in the evolution of the tech. VR won't die out just because there aren't any mainstream games ready for it just as it will never in itself replace mainstream technology, just complement it. And it does that extremely well in genres that are suited for it, such as simulation games like racing, flight and space sims. And good games take time, games that need to be built or adapted for VR from the ground up even more so.

[@michaelkreitzer1369]

Fortunately it looks like the PC VR ecosystem is further ahead than the mobile in spite of titles like this. I'm looking forward to trying titles I already own on the rift such as Assetto Corsa, Euro Truck Simulator, Elite, The Talos Principle, and even an oldie like Portal 2. The dev kits have been around so long that there's already a huge library of well received games with support, and the modding scene is already well underway trying to get VR into older titles. VR initially will probably be even more prone to the BS drivel you play on this channel on a regular basis. :) At least, for a while, but devs will adapt. At least, they will if they want to make money.

[@SupernovaDragon77]

The day silent hill comes to the VR scene is the day my life will be complete.

[@fireyoyos]

LOL , the shell collection sound is the game achievement reached sound in Xbox360

[@Roboterpunk]

It's like Talos Principle without the riddles and actually meaningful philosophy

[@LoftySkinner]

"Can't even do that" "Can't even do" "Can't even"

[@SilentForceX]

I saw this yesterday, complete with developer sending out free keys to people with negative reviews to help them "think it over again"!

[@RoboSparkle]

Somebody needs to make Arkham City VR. Then everybody will be engaged with the tech.

[@DeViLzzz2006]

In regards to gaming I gave up on VR over a year ago or maybe more. When I heard that when the release of VR gear/software to the general public would not have certain features I want like jumping and crouching and more when using that 360 degree treadmill-like walking platform I was totally ticked off. Military first and then the general public much further after that. So once again real world horrible things get in the way of people having fun. **** VR!

[@sjrn24]

Maybe this would've been impressive as a VR demo a few years ago?

[@smjaiteh]

I'd imagine open-world games like Skyrim would be good on a VR headset. Uh, with modded lighting and textures, of course.

[@91jubaku]

This could be maybe kind of good as a zen game, if they gave you some shit to do, some choices to make. Choices which could possibly be reflected in the hue of your soul avatar.

[@davitto01]

Why do I get the thought of Jim going to a Buddhist Temple trying to meditate and after 5 minutes just screaming "FUCK THIS ZEN BULLSHIT!" then falls over trying to get up, because his legs fell asleep, and just rolls out the door.

[@Dooality]

Jim's sass levels are off the charts in this one.

[@meddle98]

MMMMMAXXXXXXIMUMMMM SASSSSS

[@johnnycomelately9400]

This is actually a kind of blueprint, it's where valve wants to put all the hack indies before they sacrifice them to the volcano god, Bishamonten. Grant them this one kindness Jim, please.

[@kenshig.8134]

Your talk about the various worries about VR reminded me of the kinect.. it seemed like an interesting idea, but it never worked right, and the games for it, what little they bothered to make anyway, were just dreadful to say the least.

[@scotcheggable]

Just so you know, those 'blue clouds' are actually how souls are depicted in eastern culture.

[@TehOnlyShoe]

I really think VR can be great if used properly. For example, space sims etc, on pc.

[@yester30]

A zen game where you fart smurfs?

[@rhythmetalguitar7417]

VR? Next gen? Gimmick.....

[@Makron5]

I have an idea for VR games: Virtual bedrooms. The idea is to give people fantastic looking scenes to sleep to. It is not a game, it is a toy. I'd be an exploiter sure, but I'm honest as to what I'm doing is a demo and I'm honest about what you get is just a thing to look at without gameplay.

[@VenEm]

jim should get the zelda release for VR

[@anikmonette2140]

Waves? Wind? Thunderstorms? Rain? People cheering and laughing from afar? Hawaiian music? SOMETHING?!?

[@filthypigdaddy]

This is Wander all over again except without the funny glitches

[@austinvanderveer213]

Those 'souls' remind me of when character models don't load in AQ Worlds. Actually, this game reminds me of a 3D AQ Worlds if nothing at all loaded in.

[@Roboshi2007]

My biggest fear with VR is control, the goggles you wear don't allow for easy keyboard usage and with it being a very PC orientated crowd VR is gathering they may be reluctant to use a controller.

[@letummors922]

+Roboshi You shouldn't really use a keyboard for real VR.

[@Roboshi2007]

+Letum Mors But as I said, with a huge majority of VR users being PC gamers they will want to use the keyboard or worse, the games will be made with keyboard and mouse in mind.

[@danielgrenier7680]

Nice VR screensaver!

[@marcel_pi]

This is what the first matrix was like.

[@Lin-Carl]

I was looking at this and hoped you would cover it, you didn't mention what I thought you would though. I went straight to the reviews......for a laugh, noticed a review in which one reviewer had screenshots to prove that the dev had attempted to bribe the reviewer with free steam keys and asked them to change their review to positive. The whole comment section of the review was hilarious as the dev was making an absolute fool of themselves whilst they just got slated.

[@ocularcavity8412]

This game is almost literally the HELL from Dragon Ball Z when Goku falls off of snake way even the floating disembodied souls thing the scenery even looks like it lol

[@PrimePixelHD]

I don't know, it's kinda sad when the only game (SOMA) which makes me want to buy a VR device was not even developed or marketed to be a a VR game. Still though, I am tempted to get a VR device for VR porn... I am a simple creature.

[@temepeku]

+Prime i'm not blaming you.. i'm a simple creature too so is vast majority of people anyways.

[@alenonimo]

I had a nice experience with this game on Steam. I got it for free, it dropped cards, I sold the cards, made me more rich than I was before I got it. :P

[@enoughofyourkoicarp]

3:10 welcome to the cat life. :3

[@Floydthefuckbag]

+enoughofyourkoicarp A VR tail chasing simulator would have been a much better idea.

[@leviadragon99]

"When you can balance a tack hammer on your head, you can head off your foes with a balanced attack" Oh Don't mind me, just repeating a quote that means about as much as the fortune-cookie platitudes this game has to offer.

[@treeplanter-bv4gw]

I can't believe you missed the ripple marks, Jim! Shame on you, and everyone else for not noticing the completely major & important detail that the ripple marks are facing the wrong direction