And relax . . . Shropshire game designer's virtual reality project is a number one hit - with video
A Shropshire games developer has launched his latest project in the world of virtual reality to unexpected chart success.
Nature Treks VR, created by John Carline from Ironbridge, spent four days at the best selling game for the Oculus Go headset after its release last week.
The app was first developed for desktop and mobile devices, but John realised the emerging virtual reality market was better suited to the fully immersive experience he wanted to create.
Watch how Nature Treks VR looks in action:
Nature Treks VR was released last April, but when a version for the new Oculus Go was made available last week John was shocked to find it had soared to the top of the charts.
He said: "I knew there was interest in the experience as the PC version was quite popular. But I never expected it to get to reach the number one best seller.
"There is a lot of competition in the VR app market and a lot of those studios have very large budgets and teams."
In developing Nature Treks, John set out to create a virtual reality experience to offer relaxation and escapism, rather than a game.
The app, which John describes as a nature simulator, allows users to explore their own virtual world, with 10 unique environments to choose from.
The idea came from a conversation with his wife Ria, about using technology to make experiences more accessible to a wider audience.
He said: "There is no narrative to Nature Treks VR, no competition, no missions, no collectables and no prompts aimed at squeezing loose change from you or your child. It's a different tempo, I think people want a change from that.
"Modern life is busy and demanding enough as it is already. The PC version also required you to have an expensive computer and be tethered via some cables. The new stand alone headsets are wire-free and light, this sort of set up is much better for an experience like Nature Treks VR."
John spent 20 years working in the games industry before setting up on his own last year as Greener Games.
While he is enjoying the success of his latest work, he is already planning his next moves in the ever-evolving industry.
John said: "There is a new generation of VR devices due out next year, we are looking to evolve the experience for those.
"We also have plans to research the benefits of these sorts of sensory experiences in other areas, such as children with physical or learning disabilities."
