Draft:Richie's Plank Experience (video game)

• Comment: This article reads like an advertisement rather than a encyclopedic article on the subject. -Samoht27 (talk) 16:53, 3 December 2024 (UTC)

• Comment: Hi mate, thanks for writing out the draft of this article for your game Richie's Plank Experience. Unfortunately, the subject matter doesn't seem quite ready for a Wikipedia article.
  Firstly, Wikipedia has rules around notability of subjects that can have an article written about it. For the notability of published video games, there are some rules we generally follow around there comfortably being three independent sources that cover the subject matter in detail. We have a list of the sort of sources we are thinking about for that. In this case, despite a brief bit of coverage from TheGamer and ScreenRant, it seems like the only significant coverage is from non-RS reviews at the moment, given the UploadVR article is more coverage on the update than the game. Are there reviews of the game from major outlets out there?
  Secondly, the game is written in a promotional tone which doesn't have a neutral point of view for an encyclopedia, particularly in how it rolls with one or two sources to characterise the game as well-received and popular, and some flourishes in its description of gameplay: "nerve-wracking balance challenge" "dramatic environment", etc. This comes from a obvious conflict of interest arising from being affiliated with the game - it doesn't prevent you at all from writing about the game, but make sure to follow the guidelines there to avoid any issues. ＶＲＸＣＥＳ (talk) 21:43, 18 November 2024 (UTC)

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Richie's Plank Experience is a virtual reality (VR) simulation game developed and published by Australian game studio Toast Interactive. Released in September 2016, the game has gained popularity for its fear-inducing gameplay that allows players to experience walking on a virtual plank extended from a skyscraper. It is available on VR platforms, including Meta Quest, Steam VR, Viveport, PlayStation VR, Pico and Oculus Rift.

Gameplay

The main feature of Richie’s Plank Experience places players on an 80-story-high wooden plank extending from a building, inviting players to take a step out that tests their comfort with heights. The game uses immersive VR environments and audio cues to create the psychological sensation of vertigo, and can result in intense fear responses among players.

One of the unusual elements of the VR title is its ability to measure and integrate a real physical plank that is then matched with an in-game virtual plank.

In addition to the plank walk feature, the game includes multiple modes:

• Hero Academy: In this mode, players can fly around a city environment, performing tasks such as extinguishing fires and intercepting missiles.
• Sky Brush: This creative mode allows players to use VR controls to "paint" the sky using rocket-powered hands.
• Nightmare Mode: A scarier version of the plank experience that incorporates elements designed to heighten fear, such as spiders or other creepy effects.
• Santa Simulator: A holiday themed version of the game where the player throws presents into chimneys around the city at night to earn points (NB: this feature of the game is sold as a separate title on Steam VR but is bundled into the game on Meta Quest)

Development and Release

Toast Interactive, a VR-focused game studio based in Queensland, Australia, developed Richie's Plank Experience with the intention of creating an simple VR experience that would showcase what VR can do that cannot be done on other digital game platforms. Toast was founded by husband and wife team Richard and Toni Eastes. The game was designed with simplicity in mind, allowing even VR newcomers to experience a lifelike environment with minimal controls or instructions. The game has since become a staple demo for VR setups and is regularly listed in lists of VR games to try for new users.

The title was first released for PCVR headsets and was ported to Meta Quest (standalone) headsets in 2019.

In November 2023, Toast Interactive released a DLC update for the game, introducing the "Canyon's Edge". This new expansion transports the plank experience to a natural environment set on a rocky gorge, drawing inspiration from landscapes in Australia and the United States. Additionally, the update introduced mixed reality mode capabilities, enabling players to use passthrough cameras to calibrate their real life plank and bring a virtual elevator directly into their physical surroundings.

Reception

Richie's Plank Experience has been well received by both players and critics, particularly for its effectiveness in simulating vertigo and height-induced fear. Due to its simplicity and strong impact, it has become a popular choice for VR demonstrations to new users, VR expos, and among personal VR users across many different headsets. Critics have highlighted its accessibility and ability to engage users of various ages and experience levels in VR.

Richie's Plank Experience has also been widely used in academic circles as a research platform to examine many aspects of human psychology.