A major update has just landed in the wildly popular VR game, Gorilla Tag, as it makes its creation mode, initially a trial, a permanent feature. Named ‘Monke Blocks,’ this mode lets players and their friends collaboratively design levels and then jump right into their shared worlds. In parallel, the developers of the fast-rising Digigods social VR game have secured a $2.6 million boost from investors. Together, these developments highlight the growing significance of user-generated content (UGC) in the realm of social VR gaming.
Several social VR platforms have seen considerable success, and there’s a common element tying them together: UGC. Titles like VRChat, Rec Room, Roblox, and Horizon Worlds all thrive because they empower players to create content. Indeed, it seems that those who build together, stick together.
On the surface, Gorilla Tag might appear to be your standard multiplayer game, rather than a full-blown social VR app. However, its versatile multiplayer structure—where players can effortlessly navigate between lobbies—and loose rule framework make it more of a social hangout space than just a game.
By embedding the ‘Monke Blocks’ feature, Gorilla Tag delves deeper into the social VR territory, providing players with tools to craft and explore their very own creations.
In this block-based mode, players work together to assemble new levels. They can switch between constructing levels at a normal size and exploring the in-progress build in a miniaturized form. It’s an interactive and fun way for friends to engage both creatively and competitively.
To make these creative ventures more appealing, Gorilla Tag introduces monetization through its premium currency, ‘Shiny Rocks.’ Players can purchase unique block sets to enhance their creations. The initial offering includes medieval castle-themed pieces available for 6,000 SR, which translates to about $30.
Such ‘build and play’ experiences pivot around UGC, making it a cornerstone for success in the landscape of both emerging and established social VR games.
Looking ahead, Another Axiom, the minds behind Gorilla Tag, are set to replicate their success with Orion Drift. This new venture promises to offer players an expansive playground where they can dictate their adventures, including crafting mini-games and rules.
Earlier this year, we noted that the UGC-centric platform Yeeps had crossed 360,000 monthly active users. Now, Digigods, created by Squido Studio, has managed to secure a $3 million seed funding led by Triptyq Capital and supported by several other investors. Launched in April 2024, Digigods has already attracted 100,000 unique players, boasting a stellar average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on the Quest platform, despite still being in Early Access.
UGC is undeniably the key ingredient for the top social VR titles. Yet, there’s another factor distinguishing the new from the old: movement mechanics.
Older VR games like Rec Room, VRChat, and Horizon Worlds rely on traditional thumbstick or teleportation for movement. In contrast, newer titles, such as Orion Drift, Yeeps, and Digigods, have embraced arm-based movement, a style popularized by Gorilla Tag. This method marks a shift between the classic and modern eras of social VR gaming.
This evolution in locomotion style also hints at a demographic shift. The newer generation of games, with their arm-centric movement, appears to cater more to Gen Z audiences, capturing a youthful essence distinct from the millennial-focused older titles.
