Ocean Rift – Explore the Underwater World in Virtual Reality
Ocean Rift is a latest computer app designed by Dr Llyr Ap Cenydd of Bangor University’s School of Computer Science. The app lets users swim through the ocean with underwater creatures like sharks, whales and dolphins without getting their clothes wet. To develop Ocean Rift Dr Llyr Ap Cenydd has been working for nine months alongside Samsung and Oculus VR. The app is set to be released in next few months at the same time as Samsung Gear VR mobile device.
Ocean Rift experiments with different kinds of immersive techniques to generate a most lifelike virtual experience. Various types of sounds, plants, ocean current effects, particle systems like dust and bubbles and other effects are incorporated in Ocean Rift to make it look genuine. The app creators have a given a slight horror touch to the experience as well. When users reach the deepest parts of the ocean, they will come across a giant prehistoric Megalodon shark. The shark sneaks up on the users and gives them quite a scare! To be honest, it is not a wise decision to explore the deeper parts of the ocean.
Ocean Rift features a series of habitats which you can choose by using a touch panel found on the side of the device. One of the delightful features of the demo is the presence of interactive AI animated creatures. Once you don on your headset, you will be absolutely immersed in the underwater virtual world and have the ability to interact with animated creatures. The device resembles a pair of ski-goggles and by magnifying the screen of your smartphone, it gives a clear and full visual field. Llyr stated that Ocean Rift started out as an experiment to observe the underwater virtual effects. He added that The Gear VR edition of Ocean Rift has some really cool features such as swimming with a pod of dolphins, trapped in a cage surrounded by Great White Sharks and meeting extinct marine animals.
The demo is currently available for free download on Oculus VR Share for PC. It is compatible with Oculus Rift DK1, Oculus Rift DK2 and Gamepad. The demo for Samsung Gear V R will be available in early 2015.
Swim through the Ocean Rift – Samsung Gear VR Edition
For more information on Ocean Rift, an app designed by Dr Llyr Ap Cenydd of Bangor University, please visit the following links:
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/watch-enter-underwater-world-without-8028303
https://share.oculusvr.com/app/ocean-rift
http://llyrie.blogspot.com/p/ocean-rift.html
