SoundStage
This page is a stub, please expand it if you have more information.| SoundStage | |
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| Information | |
| VR/AR | VR |
| Developer | Hard Light Labs |
| Publisher | Hard Light Labs |
| Platform | SteamVR, Oculus Rift (Platform) |
| Device | HTC Vive, Oculus Rift |
| Operating System | Windows |
| Type | Full Game |
| Genre | Indie, VR, Music |
| Input Device | Tracked Motion Controllers |
| Play Area | Seated, Standing, Room-Scale |
| Game Mode | Single Player |
| Language | English |
| Review | Very Positive |
| Release Date | Mar 10, 2017 |
| Price | $9.99 |
| App Store | Steam |
| Website | http://www.soundstagevr.com |
| Infobox Updated | 04/19/2017 |
Contents
Review
When I think of SoundStage, it makes me think that this game is pretty much the definition of a DJ’s good time, because SoundStage is a music creation tool, one which turns your surrounding environment into your own personal music space; without the need to move everything back to where it was once you’re finished.
SoundStage makes great use of the HTC Vive and providing that you have the space around you, you can put the room-scale VR part of it to some very good use. What I mean by this is that depending on what instruments and equipment you would like to keep out around you, you can flow between one piece of your music and the next, depending on how you want to use the game. I keep calling it a game; while it is fun, it’s more of an incredibly fun experience/tool. A lot of what the developers give you access to in SoundStage allow you the opportunity to make some really impressive music and sounds.
I think that’s what I’ve found myself enjoying the most out of SoundStage: the experience and what you can create out of it. You can load up a set of drums and rock away to your hearts content, as if you were playing the greatest version of air-drums I’ve ever seen. Not only is it fun to play with all of the instruments that you’re provided with, they’re designed in such a way to be put to good and affective use, whether you want to create a track out of them or not. At no point during the entirety of SoundStage do you need to create a single piece of music, not when you can jam out to your drum-kit, up until your wrists start to feel like jelly.
Another impressive feat of this game is just how many pieces of equipment and instruments you can use as you see fit. There are synthesizers, tuning forks, a whole host of other pieces of equipment you can use; many of which I have no idea what they actually do, but to someone who has a musical mind it might make a little more sense. Even with all these tools, you don’t have to know how to use them to get the full enjoyment out of it all. A big part of the fun is discovering what certain things do, how to use them and how to make something truly unique out of the tools you’ve been given.
When it comes to the aesthetics it’s not nearly as important as the rest of what the game can do, but even so it’s still a welcome addition. Everything you look at in the game has some sort of neon-tinge to it and it makes everything you come across a visual treat and almost impossible to miss. The one downside to the visuals, though and that’s the space that you occupy yourself in when you’re inside the game. All around you it’s just a dark blue, obviously to make the neon lights look that much more exuberant, however, it does get a little boring looking out into a blank, empty space with very little change.
The game is currently in Early Access on Steam, so you can expect to come across some bugs here and there, but considering the amount of time I’ve spent on this one already, I’m quite impressed that I have yet to find any real issues that come to mind. When the game isn’t even officially complete and you have a hard time finding problems, then you know you’ve got yourself a development team that are well and truly on the ball.
Overall, I may still be having a hard time technically calling this one a game, but since games are meant to be fun, I do suppose in this case it is definitely viable. Even though at times it may play and feel like a game, it makes itself completely obvious that you can create some pretty incredible pieces of music if you simply have the patience and the determination to get through the music-making process and be left with a piece that you would be proud to call yours. At times it might not be the easiest to get to grips with every single thing that is inside the game, but regardless of whether you’re trying to write a masterpiece or just drumming away after a hard day’s work; you’ll be finding plenty of enjoyment out of this entire package.
Description
SoundStage is a virtual reality music sandbox built specifically for room-scale VR. Whether you’re a professional DJ creating a new sound, or a hobbyist who wants to rock out on virtual drums, SoundStage gives you a diverse toolset to express yourself.
If you look at old rock concerts, you’ll see these HUGE synthesizers that the musicians connect together to make electronic sounds. These instruments are literally enveloping the player. SoundStage attempts to capture the feel of those epic music machines then take it to the next level with tools only possible in a virtual environment. All in a world inspired by the airbrush paintings and computer graphics of the 80s.
Hook up your sounds to the electro-maracas, drive your keyboard with a 3D theremin, and get ready to jam in your VR SoundStage.
Features
System Requirements
Windows
Minimum
- OS: Windows 7 SP1 or newer
- Processor: Intel i5-4590 / AMD FX 8350 equivalent or greater
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 / AMD Radeon R9 290 equivalent or greater
- Storage: 375 MB available space
