Virtual Safari: Explore a Synthetic Ecosystem in ‘Paper Beast,’ Coming Soon to the Oculus Rift Platform

The games industry is full of creators who’ve all left their stamp on the business. These individuals’ contributions advanced the art of video games, inspired others to create their own experiences, and basically shaped gaming into what it is today. Éric Chahi is one of those creators. Released in 1991, Chahi’s dialogue-free adventure game Another World delivered a powerful narrative on friendship entirely through animation, and Heart of Darkness, released in 1998, took an equally bold approach to classic platforming. With Paper Beast, coming soon to the Oculus Rift Platform, Chahi jumps into VR for the first time.

Part adventure game, and part nature excursion, Paper Beast invites you to explore an AI simulation run wild—literally. You’ll roam a surreal landscape of digital creatures as you solve puzzles, negotiate obstacles, and learn to work with the virtual wildlife. “Imagine a cocktail, with a bit of Dalí, Lynch, and BBC Planet Earth,” says Chahi. “Shake it, and you’ve got a crazy universe to explore!” And while Paper Beast does indeed offer plenty of good old-fashioned exploration—you'll navigate funky terrain and otherworldly geography a lot—the game delivers more than just a cool place to visit. You’re invited to reshape the world to solve puzzles and, if you like, just for fun.

Paper Beast is a full-fledged virtual ecosystem with its own set of rules and dynamics. “Everything has unique physics,” says Chahi. “Paper animals and objects can be manipulated with precision; you can shake things, grab a leg, and move it; everything reacts to player input. The wind is simulated too; depending on their weight, some animals will float or fly. Sand and water both flow naturally; you can dig the ground and route the flow of water. Everything is very playful.”

Paper Beast is coming soon to the Oculus Rift platform. Stay tuned for more information!