PokerStars game goes live with an introduction of virtual reality (VR) as Pokerstars VR. The game is now available to download and play for free in global markets.
The imagery in the VR game appears to have more vivid colours and arguably better graphics than real-life. Earlier during the beta test of the game, the company witnessed more than 150 invitees playing and testing the game, using Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.
The game is available to download through the Oculus and Viveport stores, as well as through Steam, a digital distribution platform of Valve Corporation. With the worldwide launch players can experience the worlds of live and online poker collides from the comfort of their home.
It was developed in collaboration with virtual reality developer Lucky VR and provides the perfect mix of serious game play, fun interactivity and social engagement that adds a whole new poker realm for players and gamers to explore.
The players have the chance to become fully immersed in a variety of social poker scenes and choosing their own environments to play like Macau 2050, The Macau Suite, The Showdown Saloon, Monte-Carlo Yacht, and The Void.
Players can also use intuitive controls for easy gameplay, they can also handle chips and cards, and pick up on tells, talk and interact just as they would at a live table. The game also features a host of interactive props to have fun with, voice command, and integrated Twitch broadcasting and media streaming on Oculus Rift for those who wish to play and stream.
“When we showcased the product it was amazing to see people really enjoy and become engrossed in the game. We wanted to venture into the world of virtual reality because we believe it is an exciting avenue of technology to explore and something that our players would appreciate. I highly recommend that everyone tries out the game as it can only truly be understood and enjoyed by experiencing it,” said PokerStars director of poker innovation and operations at Severin Rasset.
The new game simulates the live poker experience as closely as possible, bringing the same subtleties and interactions to an online environment. A lot of work has gone into recreating the atmosphere of a live poker game, including features such as chip stacking, card-peeking and the ability to try to get a genuine read on opponents, giving bluffing at a whole new dimension.