Beat Saber: Difference between revisions
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|Developer=Beat Games (Oculus Studios) | |Developer=Beat Games (Oculus Studios) | ||
|Publisher=Beat Games / Oculus Studios | |Publisher=Beat Games / Oculus Studios | ||
|Platform=[[SteamVR]], [[Meta Quest | |Platform=[[SteamVR]], [[Meta Quest]], [[PlayStation VR]], [[PlayStation VR2]], [[Windows Mixed Reality]] | ||
|Device=[[Meta Quest 3]], [[Meta Quest 2]], [[Oculus Quest]], [[Oculus Rift S]], [[HTC Vive]], [[Valve Index]], [[Windows Mixed Reality]], [[PlayStation | |Device=[[Meta Quest 3]], [[Meta Quest 2]], [[Oculus Quest]], [[Oculus Rift S]], [[HTC Vive]], [[Valve Index]], [[Windows Mixed Reality]], [[PlayStation VR]], [[PlayStation VR2]] | ||
|Operating System=[[Windows]], [[PlayStation 4]], [[PlayStation 5]] | |Operating System=[[Windows]], [[PlayStation 4]], [[PlayStation 5]] | ||
|Type=[[Game]] | |Type=[[Game]] | ||
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|Infobox Updated=June 2025 | |Infobox Updated=June 2025 | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{see also|VR Apps|VR Games}} | |||
[[Beat Saber]] is a neon-soaked VR rhythm slasher in which players wield dual energy sabers to slice “beat blocks” as they surge toward the player in sync with music. | [[Beat Saber]] is a neon-soaked VR rhythm slasher in which players wield dual energy sabers to slice “beat blocks” as they surge toward the player in sync with music. | ||
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== Design & Scoring == | == Design & Scoring == | ||
Unlike classic rhythm titles that reward millisecond-perfect timing, Beat Saber employs an | Unlike classic rhythm titles that reward millisecond-perfect timing, Beat Saber employs an '''“Instructed Motion”''' system. Optimal score per block (115 points) is awarded for a ≥100° pre-swing (70 pts), a ≥60° follow-through (30 pts), and a straight cut through the block’s center (15 pts).<ref name="design2025" /> This design nudges players into choreographed arcs and body-scale gestures, generating what '''Road to VR''' calls “motion-driven flow.” Over time, mappers exploit this by pairing musical phrasing with specific motion “flavors” (robotic jabs in *Harder Better Faster Stronger*, or sweeping power-cuts in *Radioactive*) to evoke distinct emotions. | ||
== Key Features == | == Key Features == | ||
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== Development & Legacy == | == Development & Legacy == | ||
Beat Saber began life as a spare-time prototype by Czech indie duo Hyperbolic Magnetism before composer Jaroslav Beck joined to provide the iconic soundtrack. Meta acquired the studio in 2019, pledging multi-platform support and funding over 20 licensed music packs since. The game won | Beat Saber began life as a spare-time prototype by Czech indie duo Hyperbolic Magnetism before composer Jaroslav Beck joined to provide the iconic soundtrack. Meta acquired the studio in 2019, pledging multi-platform support and funding over 20 licensed music packs since. The game won '''Best VR/AR Game''' at '''The Game Awards 2019''' and remains a mainstay in “Best of VR” lists. | ||
== Community, Mods & Esports == | == Community, Mods & Esports == | ||
The | The '''Beat Saber Modding Group (BSMG)''' maintains open-source tools for custom songs, sabers, and score submission. Although Meta enforces Content-ID on paid packs, the original OST is cleared for streaming, and Meta allows sideloading on Quest via Developer Mode. Competitive scenes include the ScoreSaber global ranking ladder and the annual Beat Saber World Cup. | ||
== Soundtrack (selected DLC) == | == Soundtrack (selected DLC) == | ||
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== System Requirements (PC VR, 2025) == | == System Requirements (PC VR, 2025) == | ||
* | *'''OS:''' Windows 10 64-bit | ||
* | *'''CPU:''' Intel Core i5-4590 / Ryzen 5 2600 | ||
* | *'''RAM:''' 8 GB | ||
* | *'''GPU:''' NVIDIA GTX 1060 / Radeon RX 580 or better | ||
* | *'''Storage:''' 500 MB free | ||
* | *'''VR:''' SteamVR-compatible HMD & tracked controllers | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
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<ref name="design2025">Road to VR, “VR Design Unpacked: The Secret to Beat Saber’s Fun Isn’t What You Think,” May 1 2025.</ref> | <ref name="design2025">Road to VR, “VR Design Unpacked: The Secret to Beat Saber’s Fun Isn’t What You Think,” May 1 2025.</ref> | ||
</references> | </references> | ||
[[Category:Games]] [[Category:Manually Edited Games]] | |||
[[Category:VR Games]] | |||
[[Category:Rhythm Games]] | |||
[[Category:Dance Games]] | |||
[[Category:Motion Games]] | |||
[[Category:Meta Quest Games]] | |||
[[Category:PSVR Games]] | |||
[[Category:Steam VR Games]] | |||
[[Category:Fitness Games]] | |||
[[Category:Manually Edited Games]] | |||
Latest revision as of 05:24, 5 June 2025
| Beat Saber | |
|---|---|
| |
| Information | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Developer | Beat Games (Oculus Studios) |
| Publisher | Beat Games / Oculus Studios |
| Platform | SteamVR, Meta Quest, PlayStation VR, PlayStation VR2, Windows Mixed Reality |
| Device | Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest 2, Oculus Quest, Oculus Rift S, HTC Vive, Valve Index, Windows Mixed Reality, PlayStation VR, PlayStation VR2 |
| Operating System | Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 |
| Type | Game |
| Genre | Rhythm, Fitness, Indie |
| Input Device | Tracked motion controllers (dual sabers) |
| Play Area | Standing, Room-scale, optional seated |
| Game Mode | Single-player, Online multiplayer (private & public lobbies) |
| Comfort Level | Generally comfortable (no artificial locomotion); intensity scales with difficulty |
| Language | English, French, German, Spanish (Spain & LatAm), Japanese, Korean |
| Version | v1.40.5 (Steam/Quest, May 15 2025) |
| Rating | E |
| Release Date | Early Access – May 1 2018; Full release (Steam/Rift) – May 21 2019; PS VR – Nov 19 2018; Quest – May 21 2019; PS VR2 – May 24 2023 |
| Price | US $29.99 (base game) |
| App Store | Steam, Meta Quest Store, PlayStation Store, Humble Bundle |
| Website | https://beatsaber.com |
| Infobox Updated | June 2025 |
Beat Saber is a neon-soaked VR rhythm slasher in which players wield dual energy sabers to slice “beat blocks” as they surge toward the player in sync with music.
Description
Beat Saber challenges players to cut color-coded blocks in the indicated direction while dodging obstacles and maintaining flow. Songs are hand-mapped by Beat Games’ design team to encourage broad, dance-like movements that feel intuitive even to first-time VR users. The base game ships with 38 tracks spanning EDM, rock, and pop; additional licensed packs (e.g., Queen, Green Day, BTS, Timbaland, Daft Punk) are available as DLC, each introducing its own themed environment and light-show.
Design & Scoring
Unlike classic rhythm titles that reward millisecond-perfect timing, Beat Saber employs an “Instructed Motion” system. Optimal score per block (115 points) is awarded for a ≥100° pre-swing (70 pts), a ≥60° follow-through (30 pts), and a straight cut through the block’s center (15 pts).[1] This design nudges players into choreographed arcs and body-scale gestures, generating what Road to VR calls “motion-driven flow.” Over time, mappers exploit this by pairing musical phrasing with specific motion “flavors” (robotic jabs in *Harder Better Faster Stronger*, or sweeping power-cuts in *Radioactive*) to evoke distinct emotions.
Key Features
- 200 Hz sabers with sub-millimeter tracking fidelity
- Eight official environments plus “The Second” anniversary arena
- Online leaderboards, lobby multiplayer, and cross-platform quick-match
- 90-, 180-, and 360-degree rotating modes for room-scale setups
- Built-in one-hand, no-arrow, and small-room modifiers
- Campaign with progression goals and fitness-calibrated challenges
- Mod support (PC & sideloaded Quest) for custom songs, sabers, HUDs
Development & Legacy
Beat Saber began life as a spare-time prototype by Czech indie duo Hyperbolic Magnetism before composer Jaroslav Beck joined to provide the iconic soundtrack. Meta acquired the studio in 2019, pledging multi-platform support and funding over 20 licensed music packs since. The game won Best VR/AR Game at The Game Awards 2019 and remains a mainstay in “Best of VR” lists.
Community, Mods & Esports
The Beat Saber Modding Group (BSMG) maintains open-source tools for custom songs, sabers, and score submission. Although Meta enforces Content-ID on paid packs, the original OST is cleared for streaming, and Meta allows sideloading on Quest via Developer Mode. Competitive scenes include the ScoreSaber global ranking ladder and the annual Beat Saber World Cup.
Soundtrack (selected DLC)
| Year | Pack | Tracks | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Queen | 11 | Launch tie-in with PS VR2 |
| 2024 | Daft Punk | 11 | Debuted new “Daft Club” stage |
| 2024 | Hip-Hop Mixtape | 10 | Curated by Jaroslav Beck |
| 2025 | Anniversary Free Track | “Danger” – Teminite × Boom Kitty | v1.40.5 update |
Reception
Upon exiting Early Access in 2019, Beat Saber was Steam’s highest-rated title. Critics continue to laud its “instant VR evangelism” quality, and Sony listed it as the #2 most-downloaded PS VR2 game of 2023. Players routinely log it for cardio; academic studies report low average motion-sickness scores even after 50 minutes of play.
System Requirements (PC VR, 2025)
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit
- CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 / Ryzen 5 2600
- RAM: 8 GB
- GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1060 / Radeon RX 580 or better
- Storage: 500 MB free
- VR: SteamVR-compatible HMD & tracked controllers
References
- ↑ Road to VR, “VR Design Unpacked: The Secret to Beat Saber’s Fun Isn’t What You Think,” May 1 2025.