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MR player view
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Crowd player UI
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Obstacles on track
Inspiration
The idea for CupraVerse hit us during a visit to the Cupra showroom. Surrounded by sleek cars and buzzing events, we thought, "Wouldn't it be awesome to create an experience that everyone can join in on and that really captures the excitement of Cupra?" And let's be honest, watching your friends try to dodge virtual obstacles while promoting Cupra's innovative spirit sounded like too much fun to pass up!
What it does
When the player starts CupraVerse, they see an intuitive UI where they can use their hand to place a racetrack in mixed reality. The UI is seamlessly attached to one of the controllers, which also lets the player customize their car. Once everything is set, the player presses a button to start the race.
Meanwhile, the crowd isn’t just watching—they’re part of the action! Using the WebGL crowd app, accessible via QR codes, they can place obstacles or boosts on the track in real-time. The crowd’s goal? To either block the player with tricky obstacles or help them with strategic boosts.
The player races through three laps, navigating the crowd’s mischievous or supportive additions. After the race, the player’s final time is displayed with dazzling effects. This interactive experience gets better with more participants—more people, more fun!
How we built it
Unity was our main workhorse for building CupraVerse. We developed two separate applications: one for the VR headset and another for phones using WebGL. Drawing inspiration from Cupra magazine and culture, we crafted a cool, immersive UI.
The MR game in the headset leverages both controller tracking and hand tracking, making it user-friendly even for those unfamiliar with VR technology. We used and modified free track and car assets to create a distinct Cupra-themed experience. For crowd interactions, we designed fun and dynamic obstacles featuring particle system effects to keep the gameplay engaging.
Our goal was to provide users with the thrill of playing with an RC car but in a much cooler, mixed reality setting.
Challenges we ran into
Imagine trying to code while navigating through a maze of virtual roadblocks, sliding on digital oil spills, and occasionally having our controls flipped upside down. It was pure chaos, but hey, we learned that sometimes, diving headfirst into the madness is the best way to master it.
Creating the WebGL experience was like herding cats—we had to set up a server and create HTML files that would run smoothly on all standard phones. Finding cool, low-poly assets was another adventure, akin to hunting for the Holy Grail. And with fewer designers on our team, working with Blender turned into a hilarious yet maddening game of "Will it blend?"
Just when we thought we had everything under control, Git decided to throw a party and invited all its bugs. Despite these challenges, our team of rockstar developers persevered through it all, proving that they can get through hell and back—with a smile!
Accomplishments that we're proud of
We're incredibly proud of creating an MR experience that seamlessly blends with the automotive world. But what really revs our engines is the crowd involvement—it’s our secret sauce! Unlike typical MR experiences that leave the audience bored and watching someone make odd faces, CupraVerse turns spectators into active participants. They’re not just watching; they’re influencing the race, adding a whole new level of excitement.
We're also thrilled with how our creative obstacles and boosters enhance the gameplay, making every race unpredictable and fun. And let's not forget the UI, designed with a perfect blend of functionality and Cupra-inspired flair. It’s these innovative touches that make CupraVerse a standout experience.
What we learned
We learned the art of designing a UI that not only complements but enhances the mixed reality experience. We mastered the challenge of seamlessly integrating diverse assets into a cohesive and visually stunning game. Brainstorming under pressure taught us to turn wild ideas into reality quickly. And, of course, we perfected the delicate balance of coffee consumption and sleepless nights to keep the creativity and productivity flowing.
What's next for CupraVerse
The future of CupraVerse is packed with exciting developments. We’re gearing up to introduce multiplayer MR experiences, allowing multiple players to race and interact simultaneously, taking the competition to a whole new level. We're also enhancing the WebGL interface to provide the crowd with real-time stats and visuals, so they can track the player's progress and stay fully engaged.
Additionally, we're planning to introduce a minigame exclusively for the crowd, letting them compete among themselves and earn bragging rights. We're also working on expanding our range of obstacles and boosters to keep the gameplay fresh and exciting. Expect more Cupra-themed tracks and car customizations to add a personalized touch to the racing experience.
And that’s just the beginning—we’re constantly brainstorming new features and improvements to make CupraVerse even more immersive and fun. Stay tuned for a ride that keeps getting better!
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