So I'm developing a social VR game.

Any idea one can manifest is sparked by an external force of inspiration. In this case, it was the social VR game ‘Rec Room’ that played as a massive inspiration for me to start working on my own social, multiplayer VR game: Bucket Park.

I have been planning this game out over the past year, making an entire GDD and a whole slew of concept art. Unlike platforms such as VRChat and Roblox, I want to prioritize consistency within the game’s art direction and its general presentation. I adore how games like Rec Room and Animal Crossing have (or had) their game mechanics actually make sense in the universe they were set in aesthetic-wise.

I know this is going to be a huge undertaking, especially since I’ve never dabbled in multiplayer games until now. I’m looking to keep the scope of the game fairly small so I can finish this in a somewhat reasonable amount of time, and so I can run a lower risk of eventually getting burnt out and cancelling the project.

My main goal with Bucket Park is to encapsulate the calm and welcoming atmosphere that made Rec Room so influential to the people who played it. However, I don’t aim for this to be some definitive replacement for the game. Sure, I was scrambling to get this video done after Rec Room announced they’re shutting down the game on June 1st and be one of the first to formally confirm they’re making their own little social VR game amidst other projects such as Radium or Luduvo, but I’m aiming for this to be more of a portfolio project than anything.

I would love to get a career somewhere in game development or the gaming industry. Obviously I’ve heard the stories about crunch culture and abuse within AAA, but Indie or AA look like considerably safer places to be in. Right now, my Itch page consists of entirely offline games made for game jams, and I wanna use Bucket Park as a way to truly test my skills, determination, and patience in regards to game design, animation, marketing/branding, etc.

This the first devlog of a series documenting my progress and thought-process through different aspects of Bucket Park’s game design. This first episode is meant to be sort of a game pitch and formal game announcement that I’ll be starting development. I’m planning on going back to using Unity to develop the game instead of Unreal Engine, which I’ve been using for a couple years.

I know this is rather ambitious for my very first commercial/indie game, but it’s a chance I’m willing to take. This is something I’ve been wanting to make for a long time, and I feel now (the big ‘26) is one of the best times to actually start. Even if I do end up cancelling the project, it'll still be worth it for the learning experience.

If you have any questions or would like to chat with me about Bucket Park or anything, join my Discord server! https://discord.gg/UNvUErghMr

Time to reconnect with nature.

INTRO/ANIMATION/WRITING/EDITING
TheLuchenator (https://www.youtube.com/@theluchenator)

VIDEOS USED
Rec Room
- https://youtu.be/6kl9gqv9t_I
- https://youtu.be/DQoa5iHnDJQ
- https://youtu.be/r_jVb1RyY7Y
- https://youtu.be/RdNqMjiVU-4
- https://youtu.be/nJ1w0pbU0_E
- https://youtu.be/7QIZBfXJbrE
- https://youtu.be/_Aq5V9qgg5I
emilywafflesyay
- https://youtu.be/OXQvQADx6OQ
ev3ko
- https://youtu.be/tDt0NGuQPhU
PlayStation
- https://youtu.be/r_jVb1RyY7Y
VRChat
- https://youtu.be/PWLPw4RE9Ig
Xbox
- https://youtu.be/O2i1Vq3Odbg
YodoLol
- https://youtu.be/hFS6tqvJP08
Valve
- https://youtu.be/OmKrKTwtukE

MUSIC USED
Of a Revolution (O.A.R.)
- Three Tinted Windows (https://youtu.be/jxl6jgAQspk)
Rec Room OST
- https://youtu.be/QvsT9er2lks
- https://youtu.be/ddH035i-P2g
- https://youtu.be/eaNOhXaKsWI
- https://youtu.be/yUGijcorTTY
Animal Crossing: New Leaf OST
- https://youtu.be/jlXopoG-ZrA
Animal Crossing: New Horizons OST
- https://youtu.be/zEK0vHpsXHQ
Other
- https://youtu.be/2u_wWoMftHQ

SHAMELESS SELF PROMO
My Itch Page (https://theluchenator.itch.io)
My Discord Server (https://discord.gg/UNvUErghMr)
My Website (https://luchenator.dev)

Видео So I'm developing a social VR game. канала TheLuchenator