Honing the virtual reality swordplay of PvP dueller Broken Edge

gamedeveloper.com:

Nailing the feel of sword combat in the VR arena isn't easy, but that's precisely what Trebuchet set out to do with the launch of its swashbuckling fantasy fighter Broken Edge. The multiplayer duelling game launched in November 2022 for platforms including SteamVR and Meta Quest 2, but has now debuted on the PS VR2.

In the vibrant world of Broken Edge, swordplay is designed to be an exhilarating, tactical affair that harks back to some of the most iconic skirmishes to have graced the silver screen. Players must prove their prowess by mastering the unique techniques and powers of historical warriors like samurai, pirates, and knights to best their opponents in tense PvP combat.

The studio designed its combat system to nullify what it calls "hyper-speed movements" such as wiggling. Instead, the team focused on allowing players to swing their sword freely to encourage precise, deliberate movements. With the right strategy, it's possible to eliminate foes in a single blow, but players might also find themselves on the end of a similarly fatal strike if they misjudge their enemy.

It's a high-stakes dance built on a combat system that Trebuchet hopes will accommodate newcomers and veterans alike. Intrigued by the studio's approach to swordplay and how it has been accentuated for PS VR2 players, we caught up with Broken Edge game director Guillaume Perreault-Roy to discuss how you build a VR fighter that shines.

Game Developer: Could you outline the core design pillars you leaned on when building your combat system and refining it for PS VR2?

Guillaume Perreault-Roy: Our initial goal was to replicate a satisfying, skill-based blade clash. As our project evolved, we decided to base its dynamics more on fantasy, resembling epic