Enter a New Era of Music with ‘Just Dance VR’ On Meta Quest, Coming This October

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Sep 30, 2024

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Welcome to a whole new era for the Just Dance franchise with the release of Just Dance VR this October 15 on the Meta Quest platform. Thanks to the immersive presence offered by VR, you can step into your music and feel the energy surrounding you as you take your performances to a whole new level. Complete with incredible 360° worlds, multiplayer interactions, the Dancity social hub, and over two dozen chart-topping hits, this is Just Dance like you’ve never seen it before.

With the debut of this new iteration of the iconic dance game series, we spoke with Alexandre Robin, Associate Producer on Just Dance VR, to learn more.

Just Dance has been an iconic rhythm game series for years now. What can you tell me about the process to adapt it for VR after all these years?

Alexandre Robin: Adapting Just Dance for VR has been an exciting journey. The core of Just Dance has always been about movement, joy, and immersing players in a vibrant world of music and dance. Bringing it to VR felt like a natural evolution, but it did require a fresh approach to design. We needed to reimagine how players interact with the game in a fully immersive 3D space, while still retaining the essence of what makes Just Dance fun. Working closely with Soul Assembly, we leveraged their deep knowledge of VR to create something that feels new, yet familiar to our existing fans.

Since Just Dance has always been about getting players up on their feet and moving around, it is perhaps a more natural evolution to bring it to VR than other games might be. What do you think VR brings to the table to really enhance the experience?

AR: Virtual Reality amplifies the immersive qualities of Just Dance in a way that other platforms can’t. Being fully immersed in the vibrant worlds of our danceverses adds a new layer of connection between players and the game. The physicality of VR brings out an even deeper engagement with the choreography. It's not just about watching yourself dance on a screen; you’re in the world, dancing alongside the characters, interacting with the environment, and connecting with other players in real-time. The social aspect also takes on new life through VR, where players can dance, chat, and share moments in a more interactive and engaging space.

What was the most difficult part of adapting a long-running game series like this for a new medium?

AR: One of the biggest challenges was translating the movement and energy of Just Dance into a VR setting while ensuring the experience stayed intuitive and approachable. In VR, the rules are different – player movement, perception, and control are all more immersive but also more complex. We had to redesign the core experience from the ground up, considering everything from hand tracking to the 3D environments. We’ve recaptured all original choreographies to add a left-hand layer to scoring. It’s the same dance, but now, both hands count. The team also reworked the UI system to fit a 360-degree VR experience. Balancing that depth with the approachable nature of Just Dance was key. We wanted to keep the gameplay fun and active while making sure it felt natural in VR.

Just Dance VR is a chance to not only bring existing fans over to a new platform, but to also introduce that new platform to the game potentially for the first time. How do you balance those two audiences during development?

AR: Balancing both audiences was a priority from the start. We wanted long-time fans to feel like they’re stepping into a familiar world, but with new dimensions to explore. At the same time, we aimed to welcome newcomers who might be experiencing Just Dance for the first time through VR. By designing a game that stays true to its roots, while also adding fresh, immersive elements unique to VR, we’ve created an experience that can appeal to both groups. Whether you're a seasoned Just Dancer or someone completely new to the series, we believe there’s something special for everyone.

Rhythm music games are very popular in VR. How do you think Just Dance VR sets itself apart from other existing examples in the medium?

AR: Just Dance VR brings something truly unique with its blend of vibrant danceverses, rich music catalog, and iconic choreography. While rhythm games in VR often focus on quick reflexes or hand-eye coordination, Just Dance VR emphasizes full-body movement and interaction, making it more physically engaging. Our use of personalized avatars, voice chat, and social features also sets us apart, allowing players to connect, laugh, and dance together in a lively, joyful environment. We’ve drawn on 15 years of Just Dance experience to craft something that stands out in the VR rhythm genre, both in terms of fun and community.

Finally, what tips do you have for new players as they step into Dancity and the larger game itself for the first time?

AR: First, have fun and don’t be afraid to move! Just Dance VR is all about expression and joy, so let yourself get lost in the music and the world of Dancity. Explore everything—the game offers plenty of opportunities to dance with others and discover new songs and universes. Also, take advantage of the social features to connect with other players. Whether you’re a casual dancer or aiming for the top of the leaderboards, the key is to enjoy the moment and just dance!

Step into a world of dance and grab your own ticket to Dancity with Just Dance VR, out this October 15 on the Meta Horizon store. And don’t forget to check out the official Just Dance website for more information.