Maze Theory, a London-based XR studio known for creating award-winning games, is set to release its highly anticipated mixed reality game, Infinite Inside, on July 12. The game will be available on various platforms, including Meta Quest, PlayStation VR 2, Pico, Steam, and the newly launched Apple Vision Pro. What sets Infinite Inside apart is its innovative use of mixed reality technology, allowing players to seamlessly transition between the physical and digital worlds.
Maze Theory’s previous games, such as Peaky Blinders: The Kings Ransom and Doctor Who: The Edge of Time, have showcased the studio’s ability to blend gaming and storytelling. With Infinite Inside, the team wanted to take their experimentation to new heights. Inspired by the idea of portals and the concept of hand interaction, the developers aimed to create a game that would feel magical and immersive.
The game’s origin story traces back to a project called Valentina. However, the team got sidetracked by their work on Doctor Who. They wanted to create an experience where players could move between augmented reality and virtual reality, making it feel like they were stepping into a different world altogether. Drawing influences from popular entertainment IP like the Da Vinci Code and Inception, the developers saw the potential for major crossovers between big entertainment and gaming.
In recent months, Maze Theory has been closely following the development of Apple Vision Pro. By being early adopters of this new platform, the studio hopes to learn how to create games for it at an accelerated rate. The team is excited about the opportunity to experiment with new mechanics and gain insights from smaller titles.
The aim of Infinite Inside is to provide players with a stress-free gaming experience. By allowing players to navigate and teleport through the environment using hand controls instead of traditional game controllers, Maze Theory wants to create a sense of believability and immersion.
The game’s synopsis centers around a mysterious artifact called the Plinth, which appears in the player’s home and opens a portal to a dream-like world. Guided by echoes of past explorers, players must collect shards, solve puzzles, and unlock the secrets of a secret society. The game features room-scale gameplay, five immersive worlds, and precise hand tracking for manipulating 3D puzzles.
Being early adopters of new platforms like Apple Vision Pro comes with its challenges. However, Maze Theory believes that there is value in learning early lessons and establishing their game as the go-to experience during the platform’s initial launch. The team is confident that the market for mixed reality games will continue to grow steadily, with more support from Apple in the coming years.
With about 100 early users already rating the experience at 4.8 out of 5, Maze Theory is excited about the potential impact of Infinite Inside. The studio’s dedication to creating tangible and immersive experiences sets them apart in the gaming industry. As the market for mixed reality games continues to evolve, Maze Theory is well-positioned to make a lasting impact with their innovative approach to storytelling and gameplay.