Meta Quest hand-tracking makes Demeo tangible
Demeo takes you into a cozy role-playing basement. Hand-tracking support will bring even more authenticity.
Resolution Games is known for its love of experimentation. The Swedish VR studio not only tinkers with VR sports games with innovative mechanics like Ultimechs (review) or Racket Club but also explores the possibilities of mixed reality.
The best-known example is Demeo (review). The dungeon crawler in classic pen & paper style already received a mixed reality mode in one of its numerous updates. In the camera image of the physical environment, you simply place the playing field on a table. After that, you pick up the pieces from the table and roll the dice, just like in a classic board game.
Hand-tracking support, which was previously teased, is expected to further enhance immersion. Resolution Games demonstrated the implementation for the first time on Twitter. In a short video, someone plays the role-playing game with bare hands instead of controllers.
Demeo feels like a real board game thanks to hand tracking
If the inside of the hand faces the person playing, a floating deck of cards appears, just like in a normal game. Then the fingers of the second hand pull out a card. After placing the cursor on an opponent, they pick up the die and casually roll it onto the playing field, executing the action of the card.
Have we mentioned how much we enjoy experimenting with new technology? We're currently working on hand tracking for the #mixedreality version of @DemeoGame. Check it out! pic.twitter.com/cfbO4M1DDE
— Resolution Games (@resolutiongame) February 7, 2023
The tweet only reveals that hand tracking for Demeo 's Mixed Reality mode is in development. So far, this is only available for Meta Quest 2 (review) and Meta Quest Pro (review). Resolution Games has not yet announced an update release date or more detailed information.
Hand tracking is getting better
What can't be seen in the video is the artificial locomotion via hand movement. This key mechanic should be a big challenge for the team, as controllers can be used to move through dungeons precisely and quickly. If hand-tracking only appears for the mixed reality mode, this feature could be lost as you only physically move around the game board.
In the past few years, Meta has greatly improved the Quest 2's hand-tracking. In particular, the crossing of the fingers now causes fewer problems. Developer Ndreams has already proven with Little Cities how well a subsequently added hand control fits a contemplative building game.
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