My First Experience With an Oculus and Hockey VR

Alana hits some virtual pucks

- Alana Dunitz

A few weeks ago I was asked by Dwayne at I Melcher Studios if I wanted to check out their new physics-based hockey simulation game Hockey VR. It sounded cool but I didn't have any way to play it since I don't own an Oculus. I've actually only experienced VR one time for a couple of minutes trying out the Sharknado VR game at one of Melcher Studios events, so I was quite clueless. Dwayne said that was no problem and they would hook me up with an Oculus and show me how to use it along with how to use their RealStick attachment to play the game. My first task was to find an area in my house that was clear of stuff so I could play and not worry about hitting anything with the hockey stick.

I personally have not played hockey on ice since I was a child; I don't even currently own skates. So the idea of VR to simulate the experience is great, especially if you don't enjoy having to get bundled up to go out in the cold, and if you don't know how 26. Gaman MO to skate well — or at all. Hockey VR makes you feel like you are in an enclosed hockey area, or out on the ice in an incredibly scenic location surrounded by mountains or trees. The game is complimented with arena sounds like skates on ice, whistles, horns, people cheering, and music you would hear if you were playing in a real game.