Panoptic II: A New Era of Asymmetric Gaming
Panoptic (2020) is a groundbreaking ‘PC vs. VR’ game that revolutionizes the concept of 1v1 hide-and-seek, with one VR player hunting down a flatscreen PC player attempting to blend in with the crowd. The studio behind the game has now unveiled Panoptic II, promising to introduce up to 1v4 multiplayer gameplay and expand accessibility by supporting Quest 3 and mobile devices.
Exciting Developments
Team Panoptes recently announced the sequel, Panoptic II, during a livestream where they shared their vision for the game’s future.
The game will maintain its core premise of a single VR player as the ‘seeker’, but will now accommodate larger groups and a wider range of platforms than its predecessor.
In Panoptic II, instead of a lone non-VR player as the ‘hider’, up to four non-VR players will collaborate to outsmart the seeker. These non-VR players can now join the game from their mobile devices, enhancing accessibility compared to the original game, which required them to share the same PC with the VR player.
This inclusive approach for non-VR players aims to make Panoptic II more appealing to VR enthusiasts, as the game is set to launch on PC and, for the first time, Quest 3.
Team Panoptes has revealed plans to introduce new maps and enhance the gameplay loop in Panoptic II.
The studio intends to crowdfund the development through a Patreon campaign and will offer early access to closed testing, with the first build scheduled for Q1.
A Personal Perspective
The unique PC vs. VR dynamic in Panoptic provided hours of entertainment during the Covid pandemic, as my friends and I engaged in thrilling matches using Discord and Steam’s ‘Remote Play Together’ feature.
The immersive VR experience of being the seeker, towering over the non-VR player, created intense moments of suspense and strategy. The game’s blend of power and deception, with NPCs mimicking real players, added layers of complexity to the gameplay.
While Panoptic was a hit, its limited accessibility due to the requirement for both players to share a PC hindered its reach.
The upcoming release of Panoptic II promises a more inclusive approach, with support for Quest 3 and mobile devices. This shift could transform the game into a portable party favorite, especially if the mobile version is free to play.
As the sole VR player among my friends, I eagerly anticipate sharing the excitement of being the seeker in Panoptic II with others. The prospect of passing around a Quest for everyone to experience both sides of the game is truly thrilling.
