Dancing Beyond Boundaries: Making a VR Experience with Motion Capture

As we set out to create a virtual reality dance game, our initial focus gravitated towards the intricate realm of dance mechanics. Our primary challenge revolved around the dance mechanics. We aimed to set ourselves apart from other rhythm games like Beat Saber and Pistol Whip by incorporating elements from these games along with inspiration from Osu, all within a 3D space.

Two Boogie Beyond Developers Dance in MoCap Suits

To model dance moves, we utilized motion capture data from our local dance team, lending an authentic and realistic feel to the gameplay. However, a significant hurdle we faced was adapting these dance moves for players of varying heights. Our solution involved scaling the x and y coordinates of the dance moves to fit within a range of zero to one. Additionally, we factored in the player's arm length to adjust the notes and align them with their approximate wingspan.

Early Dance Mechanics

This scaling process required thorough testing to ensure it catered to a diverse audience, spanning from children to adults. We recognized the importance of inclusivity and strived to create an experience that could be enjoyed by players of all ages.

During this testing, we observed an unintended behavior where players tended to anticipate and hit the notes prematurely, resulting in a visual resemblance to playing volleyball rather than engaging in dance movements. Moving forward, we plan to move to a 2D plane for this mechanic by implementing an Osu-style screen in front of the player to deemphasize the Z axis of movement. With this contemporary design choice, we hope that we encourage players to focus on the movement and timing to achieve a more authentic and expressive dance experience.

Two Professors Playtesting

As we continue development, we are eager to refine and perfect our virtual reality dance game, which combines modern-day technology with the deep allure of the 70’s disco fever. It’s our hope that both younger and older generations can come together to enjoy Boogie Beyond, and our collaborative efforts with our local dance team and motion capture staff truly capture the disco era for all to enjoy.