Inspiration Pop'Em All was born from our passion for creating immersive VR experiences, blending our expertise with a desire to make a fun, chaotic game that brings people together. We wanted to create something physically engaging that utilizes mixed reality to its fullest potential. Inspired by party games and the unpredictable nature of real-time physics, we aimed to build a competitive yet light-hearted game for everyone to enjoy.
What it does Pop'Em All is a multiplayer MR game where teams compete to pop balloons of their color using hand-tracked darts. Players must retrieve their darts after throwing them, and various buffs—like shrinking enemy balloons or adding more balloons to their team—keep the action fast and unpredictable. The sci-fi version challenges players to target floating robot power cores using EMP darts, adding a futuristic twist to the fun!
How we built it We used Unity and Meta’s building blocks for the core functionality, leveraging hand tracking for immersive interaction. Photon’s multiplayer infrastructure allowed us to create real-time multiplayer gameplay, making it easy for players to engage in team-based competition. Real-time physics and MR spatial awareness were integral to making the game feel dynamic and reactive.
Challenges we ran into The biggest challenge we faced was multiplayer development, as it was our first time working with Photon. Setting up seamless real-time interactions between players was tricky and required a lot of trial and error. We also worked hard to fine-tune the physics system to ensure smooth balloon-dart interactions while keeping the game chaotic yet manageable.
Accomplishments that we're proud of We’re proud of creating a fun, engaging game that works well in a mixed reality environment, even with our limited multiplayer experience. Overcoming technical hurdles and building a game that captures the chaotic spirit we envisioned was a major accomplishment. The addition of hand tracking and unique buffs gave the gameplay depth, and the sci-fi version added a fresh narrative twist.
What we learned We learned the complexities of multiplayer development, especially when it comes to syncing real-time player actions in a chaotic environment. We also gained valuable experience with hand tracking, ensuring the player interactions feel natural. Overall, we grew our understanding of designing for mixed reality, where physical and virtual worlds overlap seamlessly.
What's next for Pop'Em All! We plan to refine the multiplayer mechanics and enhance the hand-tracking experience for smoother gameplay. Expanding the game with new environments, more complex buffs, and different game modes is on the horizon. We also aim to continue developing the sci-fi version, possibly turning it into a narrative-driven experience with more advanced mechanics.
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