Draft:Richie's Plank Experience (video game)

• Comment: Hi mate, thanks for writing out the draft of this article for your game Richie's Plank Experience. Unfortunately, the subject matter doesn't seem quite ready for a Wikipedia article.
  Firstly, Wikipedia has rules around notability of subjects that can have an article written about it. For the notability of published video games, there are some rules we generally follow around there comfortably being three independent sources that cover the subject matter in detail. We have a list of the sort of sources we are thinking about for that. In this case, despite a brief bit of coverage from TheGamer and ScreenRant, it seems like the only significant coverage is from non-RS reviews at the moment, given the UploadVR article is more coverage on the update than the game. Are there reviews of the game from major outlets out there?
  Secondly, the game is written in a promotional tone which doesn't have a neutral point of view for an encyclopedia, particularly in how it rolls with one or two sources to characterise the game as well-received and popular, and some flourishes in its description of gameplay: "nerve-wracking balance challenge" "dramatic environment", etc. This comes from a obvious conflict of interest arising from being affiliated with the game - it doesn't prevent you at all from writing about the game, but make sure to follow the guidelines there to avoid any issues. ＶＲＸＣＥＳ (talk) 21:43, 18 November 2024 (UTC)

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Richie's Plank Experience is a virtual reality (VR) simulation game developed and published by Australian game studio Toast Interactive. Released in September 2016, the game has gained popularity for its immersive, fear-inducing gameplay that allows players to experience walking on a virtual plank extended from a skyscraper. It is available on VR platforms, including Meta Quest, Steam VR, Viveport, PlayStation VR, Pico and Oculus Rift.

Gameplay

The main feature of Richie’s Plank Experience places players on an 80-story-high wooden plank extending from a building, simulating a nerve-wracking balance challenge that tests players' comfort with heights. The game uses realistic VR environments to create the psychological sensation of vertigo, which often results in intense fear responses among players.

One of the unique elements of the title is its ability to measure and integrate a real plank for enhanced immersion.

In addition to the iconic plank walk, the game includes multiple modes:

• Hero Academy: In this mode, players can fly around a city environment, performing heroic tasks such as extinguishing fires and intercepting missiles.
• Sky Brush: This creative mode allows players to use VR controls to "paint" the sky using rocket-powered hands.
• Nightmare Mode: A scarier version of the plank experience that incorporates elements designed to heighten fear, such as spiders or other creepy effects.
• Santa Simulator: A fun holiday themed version of the game where the player throws presents into chimneys around the city at night to earn points (note this feature of the game is sold separately on Steam VR)

Development and Release

Toast Interactive, a VR-focused game studio based on the Gold Coast, Australia, developed Richie's Plank Experience with the intention of creating an accessible VR experience that would showcase VR’s immersive potential. It was designed with simplicity in mind, allowing even VR newcomers to experience a dramatic environment with minimal controls or instructions. The game has since become a staple demo for VR setups.

In November 2023, Toast Interactive released a major update for the game, introducing the "Canyon's Edge" downloadable content (DLC). This new expansion transports the plank experience to a natural environment set on a rocky gorge, drawing inspiration from landscapes in Australia and the United States. Additionally, the update introduced mixed reality mode capabilities, enabling players to bring a virtual elevator directly into their physical surroundings.

Reception

Richie's Plank Experience has been well received by both players and critics, particularly for its effectiveness in simulating vertigo and height-induced fear. Due to its simplicity and strong impact, it has become a popular choice for VR demonstrations to new users, VR expos, and among personal VR users across many different headsets. Critics have highlighted its accessibility and ability to engage users of various ages and experience levels in VR.