Windup Minds Raises $1.6 Million to Bring Virtual Pets to VR and MR
It’s time to say goodbye to Tamagotchis and hello to the future of pet gaming! Windup Minds has just raised $1.6 million to create truly believable pet simulations in virtual reality and mixed reality.
The Seattle and Los Angeles-based game studio is made up of industry veterans from gaming platforms and studios like Oculus, Electronic Arts, Magic Leap, and Bungie. The team is passionate about using the latest understanding of animal cognition and emergent gameplay to redefine the way players interact with virtual creatures.
Pets In VR and MR
Bernard Yee, CEO of Windup Minds, believes that virtual reality and mixed reality are the only mediums that can make virtual pets feel real. He said, “We think virtual pets and virtual creatures are the perfect game for mixed reality. A pet lives in your house and that’s really important because that’s kind of signifies they’re part of your family. When a dog is on your sofa or sleeping on your floor, it’s telling you I’m part of your your home. And mixed reality is really about being in your house and turning your house into a play space.”
The team at Windup Minds brings a wealth of experience in developing influential VR experiences and contributing to renowned game franchises. Their collective portfolio includes notable creations like Dreamdeck, Toybox, Bogo, First Steps, First Contact, TheBlu, Irrational Exuberance, and involvement in games such as Medal of Honor, Plants vs Zombies, Destiny, Rock Band, Peggle, and System Shock.
Making it Feel Real
Yee believes that the transformative potential of extended reality (XR) technology can bridge the gap between virtual and real pets. He said, “When we built Dreamdeck for Mark [Zuckerberg] and Brendan [Iribe] to announce the Rift headset at the first Oculus Connect, we saw players tear their prototype headsets off when our T-Rex came towards them. They intellectually knew they were in a little demo cubicle, but their instinctual brains told them ‘there’s a dinosaur in the room with you.’ VR and MR can make you feel like your digital pet is real – and no other medium can do this.”
Windup Minds is targeting a variety of VR/MR platforms, including Meta’s line of Meta Quest VR headsets, and possibly PlayStation VR 2. Yee noted that people love their pets for their idiosyncrasies, so the team is focusing on good animations such as realistic fur for the pets. He also said that the company is working to make sure the creatures have unique behaviors, such as going to a certain spot when they’re hungry.
It’s an exciting time for pet lovers and gamers alike! Windup Minds is on the brink of revolutionizing the way we interact with virtual creatures. With the help of VR and MR technology, we can now experience a level of immersion that was once only a dream.