07-05-2020, 04:53 PM
Some ideas from my wish-list for Explore (In addition to others that have been discussed) Some are obviously a stretch with current tech:
-Expand FM Radio Options- I got bored with the limited options fairly quickly, but love the idea of being able to access music from the same device. Would something like Spotify or Pandora Radio work?
- Way to remove HUD all together. Maybe settings menu could be accessed by looking down near the recenter button. Maybe there could be a "handle bar device" to read, similar to if you were actually riding. Obviously this would work better on Quest if you could use 6DoF...it would be easier to look at handle bar mounted devices.
- Add GPS map showing location on route...again..maybe this could be a floating map in the corner of the HUD, a "device" mounted on the handlebar... Tap for transparent overlay on Hud, etc...
- Way to remove third person avatar in "comfort mode" just a clean ride.
- Add avatar skin on bike. so it isn't just an empty bike with empty bike shadow.
- Add pedal kayak avatar for water routes. I think there is missed potential there.
- Add other types of First Person and Third Person avatars. Road bike updates, mountain bikes, E-bikes, fat bikes, unicycles, tandem bikes, motorcycles, Pedal car, recumbent bikes (with customizable aerodynamic shells) , pedal boats, horses, unicorns, flying saucers, etc. I'm not a fan of micro transactions (using cash to purchase upgrades), but if folks had to put in a significant number of spins in order to earn these upgrades, or folks had to win certain events to earn certain upgrades (#1 in spins for the week earns "Golden Jersey") I think it would encourage more use. Beyond cosmetic upgrades, something like an E-Bike, might offer performance upgrades... for example, the ability to throttle forward for a short time (No spins if they aren't pedaling) allowing folks the opportunity to rest a bit. Maybe a "tank avatar would allow you to shoot things and see animated explosions.
-Add custom POI information for routes. Folks could create "tours" using GPS Coordinates for text based or audio cues. For example, "On the left is inspiration point"... "The Grey building on the right is Ford Theater. U.S. President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated there on April 14th, 1865". Imagine schools using this tech both to promote exercise and to teach students!
-Add ways to gamify Explore- Remember Spy Hunter? what if we were able to add similar game dynamics to real world locations? VR Cars show up (maybe on city mode) and you have to shoot them or evade. What about an Atari Missile Command type game? you have limited ammo (but can pick up Ammo drops). You can speed up...slow down...tilt to steer/dodge, maybe shoot their missiles down with your own shots...but don't get hit!
-Window in headset option- I would love to be able to run other apps concurrently with Explore. For example, run Pandora Radio through the headset while I am riding, or Watch a Netflix movie on longer stretches. Oculus Rift offers this option natively.
-Expand FM Radio Options- I got bored with the limited options fairly quickly, but love the idea of being able to access music from the same device. Would something like Spotify or Pandora Radio work?
- Way to remove HUD all together. Maybe settings menu could be accessed by looking down near the recenter button. Maybe there could be a "handle bar device" to read, similar to if you were actually riding. Obviously this would work better on Quest if you could use 6DoF...it would be easier to look at handle bar mounted devices.
- Add GPS map showing location on route...again..maybe this could be a floating map in the corner of the HUD, a "device" mounted on the handlebar... Tap for transparent overlay on Hud, etc...
- Way to remove third person avatar in "comfort mode" just a clean ride.
- Add avatar skin on bike. so it isn't just an empty bike with empty bike shadow.
- Add pedal kayak avatar for water routes. I think there is missed potential there.
- Add other types of First Person and Third Person avatars. Road bike updates, mountain bikes, E-bikes, fat bikes, unicycles, tandem bikes, motorcycles, Pedal car, recumbent bikes (with customizable aerodynamic shells) , pedal boats, horses, unicorns, flying saucers, etc. I'm not a fan of micro transactions (using cash to purchase upgrades), but if folks had to put in a significant number of spins in order to earn these upgrades, or folks had to win certain events to earn certain upgrades (#1 in spins for the week earns "Golden Jersey") I think it would encourage more use. Beyond cosmetic upgrades, something like an E-Bike, might offer performance upgrades... for example, the ability to throttle forward for a short time (No spins if they aren't pedaling) allowing folks the opportunity to rest a bit. Maybe a "tank avatar would allow you to shoot things and see animated explosions.
-Add custom POI information for routes. Folks could create "tours" using GPS Coordinates for text based or audio cues. For example, "On the left is inspiration point"... "The Grey building on the right is Ford Theater. U.S. President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated there on April 14th, 1865". Imagine schools using this tech both to promote exercise and to teach students!
-Add ways to gamify Explore- Remember Spy Hunter? what if we were able to add similar game dynamics to real world locations? VR Cars show up (maybe on city mode) and you have to shoot them or evade. What about an Atari Missile Command type game? you have limited ammo (but can pick up Ammo drops). You can speed up...slow down...tilt to steer/dodge, maybe shoot their missiles down with your own shots...but don't get hit!
-Window in headset option- I would love to be able to run other apps concurrently with Explore. For example, run Pandora Radio through the headset while I am riding, or Watch a Netflix movie on longer stretches. Oculus Rift offers this option natively.