Monthly Archives: April 2013

18Apr

View the Aurora Borealis Using the Oculus Rift and Torque3D

Posted in Oculus Rift, Science, Torque 3D | Leave a comment

On March 17, 2013, a coronal mass ejection (CME) sent two days earlier reached the Earth. The resultant geomagnetic storm produced a brilliant aurora borealis display for the northern latitudes. Now you can see this event as viewed from opposite sides of the Earth as if you were there through the power of the Oculus Rift andTorque 3D (may also be used without the Rift):

Aurora Borealis Demo 1.2

Here’s what the Aurora Borealis demo looks like when connected to the Oculus Rift:

April 22, 2013 Update: My video for this project has just been honoured by being put on the Canadian Space Agency’s YouTube favourite video list:

www.youtube.com/playlist?list=FLdNtqpHlU1pCaVy2wlzxHKQ

Very exciting!

(Continue reading about how this was made…)

11Apr

Rift Valley Demo Game Released

Posted in Oculus Rift, Torque 3D | Leave a comment

Rift Valley Demo Game Logo

Following up the Leap Motion controller and Razer Hydra controller support in the first quarter of 2013, David Wyand has now integrated Oculus Rift DK1 support into Torque 3D.  As part of this work we put together a simple test game called Rift Valley which you can see in action here:

Follow the path in the valley and see what awaits

Be sure to check out both the outdoors and indoors

In this game you control a soldier from a first person point of view as you explore a small valley.  All artwork (other than the soldier) was done by Ron Kapaun of 3TD Studios and has been generously donated to the Torque 3D community.  Other than requiring an Oculus Rift, you may use either a Xbox360 gamepad, or a keyboard and mouse to move around the valley.

The Rift Valley demo game is available for download and play with the Oculus Rift.  You may find out more at GarageGames.