Werewolves Within is one of those who's-the-Cylon "social deduction" types of games. Specifically, a board game. More specifically, in VR. So, judging from the video, it looks like you and some game-night buddies will be sitting in a circle in a Fable-esque universe, gesturing wildly at some players, whispering to others, and generally carrying out a witch hunt in order to spot the werewolf. It's not entirely clear from the video as to how you draw any conclusions, or who all can and can't see a solid werewolf, or a transparency of themselves, or something? Not sure what's going on, but it looks like there are some laughs to be had.
It kind of confronts the question up front about whether or not virtual reality is an isolating experience. "VR is proving to be an amazing platform for social interaction, moving toward truly feeling like you are there with other people," says David Votypka, Sr. Creative Director at Red Storm Entertainment. "Werewolves Within gives players a taste of how VR can generate strong social connections, allowing you to get together to have a great time with others no matter how near or far they are."
Werewolves Within is coming Fall 2016 and simply lists "virtual reality devices" as to the platforms it's hitting.
Screens, key art and logo can be downloaded here: http://www.ubisoft-press.com/download/138122/e09a1fcbc61e86552bf8578bba4ddcfcfd7b9b23
Werewolves Within Developer Diary can be embedded from YouTube here: https://youtu.be/vWBb1LgtITc
UBISOFT® BRINGS GAME NIGHT TO VIRTUAL REALITY WITH WEREWOLVES WITHIN
Positional Tracking and Voice Inflection Analysis Technologies Create New VR Experiences
SAN FRANCISCO — March 15, 2015 — Today, Ubisoft revealed Werewolves Within, a game of social deduction that brings the fun of game night with friends to virtual reality. One of the first multiplayer VR games created, Werewolves Within captures the essence and competitive spirit of playing live around a table with friends, and channels that into a social VR experience. Werewolves Within will be available on major VR platforms in Fall 2016.
Developed by Red Storm Entertainment, a Ubisoft Studio, in collaboration with Ubisoft Barcelona, Werewolves Within transports players to the medieval village of Gallowston, where they must uncover the werewolves that have been terrorizing the townsfolk. Designed as an online multiplayer experience for five to eight people, players assume randomly assigned roles at the beginning of each game, some of which grant special abilities that will help players deduce who is a werewolf in disguise. To keep the experience dynamic, games are quick, with roles changing each time. One round you could be a villager, pleading your case for innocence, and the next round you could be a werewolf, lying your way to a win.
With the game's matchmaking features, players can create Private Matches with friends or be grouped in a Quick Match with friends and other gamers looking to play. Using voice detection, Red Storm's positional tracking technology and animations based on voice inflection analysis, players' real-life actions and body language will be reflected through their VR character in-game.
"VR is proving to be an amazing platform for social interaction, moving toward truly feeling like you are there with other people," said David Votypka, Sr. Creative Director at Red Storm Entertainment. "Werewolves Within gives players a taste of how VR can generate strong social connections, allowing you to get together to have a great time with others no matter how near or far they are."
Werewolves Within marks the latest venture into virtual reality for Ubisoft, who recently announced the game Eagle Flight and a VR partnership with the film company, SpectreVision.
For more information about Werewolves Within, visit www.WerewolvesWithin.com.
