Have you dreamed of what it would be ... to soar like an eagle?
Aquila Bird Flight Simulator lets you experience soaring bird flight using virtual reality. It was originally designed for the Oculus Rift, but has now been modified for OpenVR. You embody one of three species of eagle flying over either Northwest Scotland, a part of Columbia, or Graham Island in British Columbia. This is designed as a relaxing soaring flight simulation, and is not arcade-style flight, and as such you can make use of ridge lift and thermals. If you want a work out try flapping with motion controllers!
Proceeds from this project go towards a major bird of prey centre in Hampshire (UK), where I do voluntary work. Supporting this project helps towards vital conservation, rehabilitation, and education schemes throughout the UK and overseas. So on behalf of the birds, and the staff, thank you!
Key features:
- Dude you're an eagle! Featuring three species of eagle:
- White tailed sea eagle
- Bald eagle
- and the Harpy eagle.
- Simulates an 8kg bird with a 2.5m wingspan. (cosmetic difference only at present).
- Steer your bird using:
- An Xbox360/One controller
- Your VR headset
- or Motion controllers (experimental).
- Satellite photography scenery for:
- 13km x 13km for Northwest Scotland
- Columbia and British Columbia, of equivalent size.
- Day/Night cycle using UniStorm.
- You have thermals and ridge lift to make flying easier.
- Configurable wind direction and speed, shown as 'dandelion seeds' in-game.
- Free looking in VR, along with selectable views on the birds back and a chase view.
- You can land and take off, and walk around on the ground.
- Options to start in the air or on the ground.
- Tutorials for gamepad control and motion controllers. (headset steering tutorial to come)
- Comfort mode: This levels the camera, and limits your pitch and roll to produce a more comfortable experience. It is on by default, but can be turned off.
- Some relaxing music to go with the flying.
- Observer mode: The in-flight menu allows you to select a view that is displayed on your main pc screen while you play in VR. This can impact performance, but allows people not playing to watch your flight.
- Non-VR ... the game will run without a VR headset connected, and defaults to a chase view, but it's just not the same as VR!
- Next Level V3 motion platform support is working, but is not included in the Steam or Oculus Home versions because of the SDK's involved. Contact me if you are interested in this feature.
