An absolutely jaw-dropping experience that was subsequently gutted and turned into a non-VR, non-Steam travesty.
Originally a VR-only experience that brought together several virtual music "rides" and private "cave parties", WaveVR was a stunning example of how to create a novel VR experience that didn't need to be a game to be fully engaging. With a multiplayer aspect (meeting people in "The Expanse" and during shows) and lots to do in both common areas and musical rides, Wave was nothing short of breathtaking.
Featuring three non-changing shows and hosting multiple limited-time engagements, Wave seemed to be getting bigger and better each day. Unfortunately, as time wore on, development seemed to push further and further toward a live-engagement strategy, but with showtimes only aimed at North American/West Coast audiences, with no way to replay shows that had been missed. Sadly this was the beginning of the end. With seemingly no way to bring back older shows, and with the main three static shows getting stale, fewer and fewer people showed up.
Unfortunately, I have not seen another program in VR that even came close to the concept and execution that Wave managed to bring. With hundreds if not thousands of wave shooters, sports re-creations, job simulators and escape rooms, it hurts that someone else hasn't taken up the mantle and created a new musical experience similar to Wave.
Let me be clear: As someone who loves music, electronica, and cutting-edge virtual experiences, this was literally my Holy Grail of VR. I logged in every chance I could and loved every moment I spent inside. I experienced all that I could, including the mini-games and interactive artworks in The Expanse, cave parties in other user's worlds, limited-time shows, and all the other little surprises and goodies that I could find during the times I had to log on. I LOVED this piece of software.
Then the devs had to go and f*** it all up.
The game may still be listed on the Steam store, but the program itself is completely defunct. Without the company's servers, the game won't even boot, and everything that was there is gone forever. The Wave that exists now is a sort of virtual live concert, but without VR (or Steam), and without all the beauty and nuance from being a place you *visit* and move around in. The Wave that exists now is a hollow, meaningless shadow of what it was before.
During the shutdown, the community *screamed* at the devs, asking for any concession that would allow us to keep our virtual world of music and light, but the shutdown continued on unimpeded, and now is a fading memory that hurts more to remember than anything.
For anyone who is checking out this store listing, stay away. You missed it. It's gone.
If you want a taste of what this was like, check out Surge VR on steam, an interactive (and free!) music video on Steam that touches on what made Wave VR so special.
Another promising entry in VR cut down too soon. Shame on the devs and owners.
