High On Life pushes for bigger games on Quest
When High on Life first burst onto the scene in 2022, it proved that bizarre humor, motor-mouthed weaponry, and polished gameplay can hit the mark. Now, the next frontier is virtual reality, and a team is determined to see if this chaotic masterpiece can translate its wild energy to the immersive world of the Meta Quest 3 and 3S headsets.
The ambition behind bringing this unique experience to VR is massive. Flat2VR Studios is partnering with Squanch Games to tackle the enormous challenge of porting High on Life, aiming not just for a port, but for a genuine evolution of gameplay. The mission goes beyond mere translation; it is about injecting high-quality, deep mechanics into the VR space, helping grow the entire industry.
Of course, transforming a massive PC and console title into a smooth VR experience is no small feat. The challenge lies in the sheer scale of the game—a dense world packed with wildly different animations and complex environments. As the team works to adapt High on Life for a standalone platform, the focus turns to cutting-edge optimization. This involves upgrading the game to modern engines and refining every detail so that the gorgeous, colorful worlds run smoothly at a consistent 72 frames per second.
At the heart of the project is giving players the visceral interaction they crave. The developers are putting incredible focus on the Gatlian firearms, which are more than just weapons—they are dynamic characters with expressive facial details and complex skeletons. This focus dictates the entire VR design: how players hold these living creatures, how they interact with them, and most importantly, how they handle reloading.
The design team is redefining mechanics for these alien firearms. Instead of simple button presses, the goal is to make the act of reloading and interaction feel physical and unique to each Gatlian’s distinct body shape and personality. This focus elevates the experience, making the weapons the true centerpiece of the VR adaptation.
Among the arsenal, one alien is clearly leading the charge: Knifey, the sentient blade with an unmatched bloodthirst. The team is building brand new VR-specific systems designed to capture the visceral feeling of a knife slash. This means players won’t just press a button; they will physically perform the motion, creating a unique and satisfying interaction that leans into Knifey’s predatory nature.
To ensure this intense, fast-paced action is comfortable for everyone, the VR team is prioritizing player comfort above all else. Motion sickness is a real consideration in immersive gaming, but the team is going all out on customization. They are offering a full suite of accessibility settings, including smooth turning speeds and custom movement options, allowing players to dial in an experience that feels completely comfortable and tailored to their body.
As the VR ecosystem matures, the focus on comfort is only increasing. With a generation of younger players growing up immersed in VR, the understanding of motion sickness is changing. The hope is that as hardware improves and players become accustomed to the immersive nature of the medium, the spectre of motion sickness will eventually fade into the background.
The journey to bring this bizarre, bullet-and-blade spectacle into VR is underway. While the exact release date is still forthcoming, players can already preorder High on Life VR now through the Meta Horizon Store, promising a truly unique way to experience the chaos of the Gatlian universe.
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