VRoar is an immersive and interactive Virtual Realty (VR) app, distributed as freely downloadable software for Oculus Quest in July 2023. This art game by Adinda van ’t Klooster (design, visuals and animation) and Nick Collins (Unity programming) allows the user to see their vocal expression directly affect the graphics in a surreal landscape. This interface provides a new form of expression where the user is encouraged to experiment with their voice and make unusual vocal utterances, accepting some interesting instabilities in the virtual consequences. As artistic practice, the VR scenes combine 2D drawings with 3D models, a new way for an artist to develop works.
In VRoar, navigation is achieved by looking in a particular direction and pushing forwards with the controller; movement around the virtual world generates new tree objects. All the elements in a scene pulse and distort through expressive voice control. Blobs appear with each detected onset; these blend to a different texture depending on changes in chosen sound features and comic clouds distort and dance based on the sound you make. Pressing the ‘A’ button changes the background image and the sound feature the trunk and branches are responsive to and for how long they are responsive to it. The textures for the trees were created from pictures of trees and mosses I took in Jesmond Dene in Newcastle and around Marsden. Other sound responsive elements are the the blobs and clouds in the scene. The quirky and surrealist looking clouds have a small animation attached to them. If you make a sound they play through the movie file quicker or slower.
To download this free VR Art app from the Meta store, visit: https://www.meta.com/en-gb/experiences/5775768202525310/
credits: Unity programming by Nick Collins
Design, animation and graphics by Adinda van 't Klooster