Firma VR Game

CLIENT. OCULUS

YEAR. 2016 - 2017

VR DESIGN
AUDIO DESIGN
PUBLISH - OCULUS/VIVE/STEAM

ROLE

OVERVIEW

Firma is a virtual reality game developed as an official launch title for the Oculus Rift. I was part of a three-man core team responsible for designing, developing, and producing the game. My role spanned across VR game design, concept visualization, and audio production. I worked closely with the lead developer, managing the game asset modeller and collaborating directly with the writer to bring the project to life.

The game was designed and built over a period of two years, eventually launching on the Oculus Store alongside the first consumer Oculus Rift headset. Firma holds the distinction of being the first British indie title to be featured on Oculus Rift. Following the Oculus launch, the game was later released on HTC Vive.

Gameplay

Firma places players in the cockpit of a jet-propelled craft, delivering and collecting packages across the Moon and Mars as an off-world courier. Players navigate complex terrains in an immersive, zero-gravity environment designed to challenge manoeuvring skills and strategy. I was responsible for designing and building the in-game worlds alongside the developer, while game models and assets were conceptualised, mocked up, and skinned by me, with final builds created by a contracted Unity 3D modeller.

Challenges

  • Designing constantly within a VR environment, adapting to new design principles.

  • Minimal technical support due to the emerging nature of VR technology.

  • Developing large-scale level designs in Unityâ„¢.

  • Building a comprehensive library of game visuals and sound effects.

  • Composing 23 original music tracks.

  • Recording, producing, and delivering voiceovers for a 72-page script.

Roles and Responsibilities:

  • Lead Designer/Visualiser: Concept art, level design, and asset creation.

  • Audio Designer: SFX production and original music composition.

  • Unity Level Designer: Built large-scale levels and handled world-building.

  • Content Strategy: Contributed to content ideas and managed social media strategy.

    ‘Firma’ stands as a testament to the creative and technical challenges involved in developing one of the first VR games to hit the market. The experience of working across multiple disciplines to bring a project of this scale to life has been invaluable to my development as a creative professional.