My VR controller (SprintR) - Now for Sale

[Peterk]

Hi all,

I started working on a VR controller a while ago to solve the movement issues we see in so many games. I came up with a design for something I call "SprintR". I wanted to share it with you, and get your thoughts on the device.

Here's a bit of info: SprintR is a wireless footpad that lets you walk, run, and jump in VR. It's a 4-axis controller, meaning it allows you to not only move F/B/L/R, but it also lets your turn, and even jump by pressing it down.


Some videos outlining why I made this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngdjDq_kPHM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlEvTScAMdM

[cybereality]

You know what? That's pretty cool and looks genuinely useful.

[Peterk]

Thanks man, I appreciate it! I was just reading your blog the other day

Do you think adding buttons for your feet would be helpful? Currently I'm considering adding 2 buttons for leaning , one for crouch, and an extra for whatever you want to map it to.

[cybereality]

Yeah, I gotta get some new content for the blog. I've been slacking a bit. Thanks for checking it out, though.

Not sure it really needs buttons, as that may be more confusing, but it's your call.

[konstantin_lozev]

Oh, loved the Youtube video! As a function, this looks a bit like a wii balance board, instead of leaning, you are sliding your feet in the direction and you are also able to turn. I am not entirely sure of the actual use scenarios, especially for the turning in VR, though. maybe a Unity Project with some basic mechanics demonstrating that in the best way would help...

[Peterk]

Yeap, video's are coming up. I have videos of version one, but I'll post them once I take some cool videos of version two. I'd like to setup two cameras so you can see the motion of the device and the screen side by side.

- Peter

[Joshflighter]

Hey Guys,
As part of the new TIMES magazine team, we are now having Peter Kojesta on our cover. Very WIP at the moment, as this is all NDA.

Version 1:


After much critique:

[Peterk]

Hilarious. Josh works at the same place it do, and he's insane. Please be aware

[weirdbun]

Wow. what a way to create a controller in VR.
Impressive stuff. hope to hear more about it.

[Peterk]

VR + FPS (SprintR enabled).

This is a video of an FPS demo we made using our VR controller SprintR. In this video, the mouse is controlling the gun, the Oculus is controlling the head/VR, and the SprintR is controlling all character movement (walking/turning). So, this is me testing SprintR with a VR FPS!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnBUbnMgyV0

[cybereality]

Good stuff.

[konstantin_lozev]

Great, now I have a better idea how this i supposed to work! One concern only from observing - the foot yaw may be a bit nausea concerning...

[Peterk]

Hi konstantin,

the controller reduces motion sickness greatly, not the other way around. The yaw feels very natural.

[konstantin_lozev]

You might be right, when I look at it again, it might feel like turning with ski or roller blades...

[Peterk]

https://www.facebook.com/SprintRVR/

Hey guys, we're showing SprintR off at GDC (game developers conference) this year. We're also doing a give-away of 3 GDC passes, so please consider entering. SprintR is going to accept pre-orders when the show starts, so full VR movement is within reach! Join our facebook page/contest to win the GDC passes (link at top).

[Bluedeath]

You are a genius!

[fatboynate2]

i always wanted something like this, imagine having one for each foot though, would be better to just use one (with a dummy for comfort) and have a haptic feedback sock or strip or sole to put in ur shoe or sock so u get a vibration from walking on different surfaces or high jumps or drops that would be amazing cause you will forget that only one foot is making u move.

games from ubi-openworld-soft would benefit for this, but may i ask to concider the hatpic feedback for both feet and maybe a dual foot version for desk play since a retangular version would make use of feautures such as built in haptic feedback as well as room inside for future developments down the line as more tech becomes usefull. i want to be on a mailing list when this is released!

EDIT:

just pre-ordered, cant wait to get this thing working on my cabinet and use with my dk2, i may even try to see if i can use it to control my 2stroke rc car, since the controller atm is my win 7netbook and xbone controller

[Peterk]

Thanks for the pre-order mate. The units are in manufacturing now, so I'll have an update for you as soon as they're ready to ship to you.

anyone else who wants to pre-order can get it here: https://www.sprintrvr.com/order/

The makers of Serious Sam, Croteam, have already spoken to us about a SprintR version of their Hit game, so you'll be able to jump right into a badass FPS from the get go.

More news coming!

GDC 2017 Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywpLxoj1530

[cybereality]

Awesome!

[Peterk]

Got the first devkit boxes in. Actual units are still in production, so there's an older prototype sprintR in the box, but now we know what the package looks like!

See Below...

had to program the chips manually :

[cybereality]

Nice looking box.

[Jabberwock]

Does it work with hand controllers? It would seem that if you input movement into VR without moving your body (i.e. also hands), in full room software your virtual hands would remain at the same place while your virtual head/body would move... At least, that is the problem I am facing with my custom controller.

[Peterk]

Cyber: Thank you, I appreciate that!

Jabber: It works with hand controls, all the headsets, phones. We've never had the issue you're describing.

You should consider adding code to your project where your in-game hands are in some way parented to your character body (even if it doesn't have one). In real life you hands move with your body cuz they're attached, nothing wrong with duplicating that in VR.

[Peterk]

SprintR is live and for sale!

https://www.sprintrvr.com/order/
Hey guys, I just wanted to let you know that SprintR is officially available for sale. Retails for $149 + shipping.

• Players can walk, run, and jump using SprintR
• Loads as a standard gamepad.
• Works with Mobile and PC
• SprintR is wired or wireless; it can do both.
• Works with all headsets and motion controllers
• Use in regular or VR games.
• No need to sweat through your HMD just to get around in VR!

Final unit and box:



Videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr9V63bwA7s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMCnKkHp8DM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOwKFOwxxRk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywpLxoj1530

[cybereality]

That's awesome! Good luck.

[Peterk]

latest video, shows walking in an FPS with SprintR . This is one of the demo projects that comes with the controller.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXlkr-A81Wc