VR has a ton of really interesting applications in gaming, especially horror games. VR represents the next step in making horror as immersive (and scary) as possible. Resident Evil 4 VR was recently released with overwhelmingly positive reviews, proving even classic horror games can be reinvigorated through VR. However, some players have reported discomfort over a design oversight in this Resident Evil remake.
In the game, grenades and knives are strapped to the player's chest, and so to equip them, the player physically lifts the controller to their chest. While this may seem another step in immersive gameplay, this feature of Resident Evil 4 VR poses an issue for the large portion of the population with breasts. Such players have already reported accidentally hitting themselves in the chest while trying to equip items in Resident Evil 4 VR, which highlights one of the big issues VR must overcome — the diversity of human anatomy.
Resident Evil 4 VR and Gender
While the issue does not only affect women, the oversight has sparked discussion of gender and gaming. In particular, many questioned if women were included in playtesting, where this issue may have been flagged. This emphasizes one of the major points of contention with regards to gender in gaming, which is that the actual industry, particularly major studios, needs a more diversion representation of identities. While any intentional sexism is unlikely in this situation, and Resident Evil 4 VR is more of an example of oversight in design, it does contribute to a gender disparity in an industry that's also plagued with labor exploitation.
Since this comes on the back of reactions to cut content in the game, intended to make the game more suitable for "modern audiences," Resident Evil 4 VR's actual dedication to inclusivity is in question. Undoubtedly, gaming has a history of sexism and exclusion with gender. While trying to show progress from this history, Resident Evil 4 VR may have dropped some awkward dialogue, but has failed to offer a universal gameplay experience in a critical aspect. Game mechanics and narrative cohesion become essential in creating an immersive experience, and while the dialogue may not have derailed immersion, players hitting themselves in the chest certainly would.
VR Games and Body Size
Some simple calibration adjustments might fix this problem for Resident Evil 4 VR, though no such update has been indicated as of yet. However, Resident Evil 4 VR can offer a lesson to VR development in the future, which is that body size and shape needs to be addressed or taken into account. The goal of VR technology right now is to become more seamless and immersive, with haptic feedback being incorporated more and more. VR is also meant to allow players to imagine themselves in the game, and sometimes as characters who may have different body types than them.
While VR has great potential to allow players to experience things as someone else, the actual physicality of the apparatus will dictate how impressive this can be. Since the Resident Evil 4 VR adaptation allows players to play as a very well-beloved character from the series, the effect of actually being Leon Kennedy is somewhat spoiled by this design oversight. While VR technology is making major leaps in terms of complexity, there are still some issues that need to be addressed. The good news, though, is that by identifying and addressing simple things like body size calibration, future VR technology has a better chance at fulfilling its immersive potential.
Resident Evil 4 VR is out now for the Oculus Quest 2.