Sonmare
A downloadable game for Windows and Android
Sonmare is an interactive musical adventure exploring three ocean environments and how their soundscapes are threatened by climate change and other human activity. The viewer wears a VR headset and is seated at a keyboard-type MIDI controller (or computer keyboard) which they use to interact with the piece. Playing along with an originally composed score, the viewer will bring life back to a bleached coral reef, illuminate the dark crevasses of Antarctic sea ice, and soar through the open ocean with a pod of humpback whales.
Player interactions bring light, colour and sound to these worlds and accompany the unique rhythms and visuals occurring in each area. Sonmare is available for PC with Oculus Rift + MIDI keyboard or computer keyboard, and for Oculus Quest 2 + hand tracking.
Sonmare was produced as part of the 2020 New Creatives initiative, supported by Arts Council England and BBC Arts.
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Alyssa T. Mello – Director/Developer
Dr. Tim Gordon – Commentary/Narration
Thomas Ross Fitzsimons – Composer
Niru Fekri-Arnold – 3D Models
Download
Install instructions
To Play:
Oculus Rift + MIDI keyboard/computer keyboard: Download the .exe file and make sure your MIDI keyboard is connected to your computer before you launch the game. Open the Oculus desktop software and add the game via your library screen as normal. (Note: if you do not have a MIDI keyboard, the game will default to use your computer keyboard as input)
Oculus Quest 2 + hand tracking: Download the apk file and sideload on your Oculus Quest 2. There are many methods to sideload, but using the free SideQuest software to install to your Quest is an easy method for beginners. The game will default to use hand tracking, so please make sure this is enabled.
Have fun!
Comments
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Hi I played through some of this (I think for about 5 minutes?). I'm not sure if it was working fully, or maybe this is how it is, but -
At the opening screen it worked that using my keyboard produced sounds.
Once the journey started though, my keyboard was working in that it produced visual effects, but it did not contribute any sounds. And I felt that was missing and I wasn't so engaged after that.
Lovely creation, and whether it's a glitch or a feature or a result of WIP, I think if that sound is working so I'm making sounds throughout along with the music, that will be a really nice experience!
I played on HP Reverb G2.