The “On Again/Off Again” Update brings a new minigame and various creator tool improvements to standalone VR.
After a grueling wait, fan-favorite Rec Room minigame Laser Tag is finally available to Oculus Quest users as part of the VR social platforms’ latest free update.
Revealed yesterday in a Reddit post made by Rec Room developer u/magglerockk, the “On Again/Off Again” Update allows Oculus Quest players access to both Laser Tag maps, “Hangar” and CyberJunk City,” for cross-platform play with all other headsets. Quest players can also now visit The Park, a large open environment that serves as a popular starting point for many user-created maps.
In addition to the new game and base room, this latest update also introduces a slew of improvements to the creation tool. Creators can now use the Maker Pen Manipulate Tool on any volume and adjust levels even after they’ve been created; there’s a new Toggle Button dynamic prop that can be used in conjunction with Circuits to generate cool new behaviors; and the LookAt Gizmo, a device which can be programmed to look at specific parts of a player body (head, hands, etc). Besides that, there are a handful of smaller patches and additions, including the ability to change your account password straight from your Rec Room mobile app.
The following is a full breakdown of the update as provided by the developer:
New Additions:
- Quest players can now play both Laser Tag maps (“Hangar” and “CyberJunk City”).
- Quest players can now visit The Park (and all custom rooms build on top that base room).
Creation Tool Updates:
- You can now use the Maker Pen Manipulate tool on any volume (e.g., Trigger Volumes, Bounce Pads, etc.). This means you can finally adjust them after creation!
- There’s a new Toggle Button dynamic prop. This is like the existing button, but it has two states (on/off). Use it with Circuits to create interesting behaviors. This button can be toggled by projectiles! Find the new button in the Maker Pen Palette under “Dynamic Props”.
- The LookAt Gizmo can look at players (by specifying a role), and you can tell it to look at specific body parts (head, either hand).
- If you have a password set, you can now change it directly in the app. Go to Watch > Profile and hit the button!
- Fixed a bug where watch notification sounds weren’t playing correctly.
- Fixed a bug where you couldn’t interact with the scoreboard in the watch.
- Added a “head bob” slider to screens platforms. This is to improve comfort for some players. Find it in Watch > Settings.
- Fixed a bug with the golf shirt poking through the shoulders.
- Fixed a bug with laser tag pistol and shotgun not rendering correctly.
- Fixed an issue where normals were rendering incorrectly on your left hand.
- Fixed an issue with audio being set incorrectly for the new “Fancy Bubble” item.
With many standalone users having lost all hope of ever receiving another minigame port, the release of Laser Tag on Oculus Quest is a welcomed surprise from the Rec Room team. With Oculus Quest sales through the roof as a result of the holiday season, no doubt servers will be packed with new players looking for a free competitive shooter they can sink their teeth into.
With enough attention, perhaps we’ll even see the addition of other popular quests and minigames currently unavailable on the Quest version, including Rec Royale, a team-based battle royale shooter; Crescendo of the Blood Moon, a 4-person Castlevania-inspired coop adventure; and Isle of Lost Skulls, a pirate-themed quest, just to name a few.
Rec Room is available now on Oculus Quest for $0.00.
Feature Image Credit: Rec Room
