With multiple Virtual Reality platforms heading our way this year, it should come as a surprise to only a few that Ubisoft will be quick to leave their mark on these consoles. Set to be one of the first online multiplayer experiences for the VR platforms, their first game has been announced as Werewolves Within.
Werewolves Within is described by Ubisoft as “a game of social deduction that brings the fun of game night with friends of virtual reality”. It seeks to capture “the essence and competitive spirit of playing live around a table with friends”, which is an interesting idea to push given most people will only have one VR headset to work with.
Developed by Ubisoft’s Red Storm Entertainment studio in collaboration with Ubisoft Barcelona, Werewolves Within transports players to the medieval village of Gallowston, where they must uncover the werewolves that have been terrorizing the townsfolk. Designed as an online multiplayer experience for five to eight people, players assume randomly assigned roles at the beginning of each game, some of which grant special abilities that will help players deduce who is a werewolf in disguise.
These are not set to be drawn-out “who-dunnit” matches, but are instead quick paced with roles changing each time. One round you could be a villager, pleading your case for innocence, and the next round you could be a werewolf, lying your way to a win.
One idea which I will be intrigued to see and would be great to see perfected in this game is the use of voice detection, position tracking technology and animations based on voice inflection analysis. It would add an extra layer of realism if your actions and body language could be reflected in-game.
David Votypka | Sr. Creative Director at Red Storm Entertainment
VR is proving to be an amazing platform for social interaction, moving toward truly feeling like you are there with other people. Werewolves Within gives players a taste of how VR can generate strong social connections, allowing you to get together to have a great time with others no matter how near or far they are.
