The “Startup Update” aka “The Onboarding Update” is now live!
This is the first post-launch update, published just under two weeks since CONSTELLATIONS was released in Early Access on Jan. 1. This Developer Post describes the update at a high level, but I want to share a bit more detail with you here.
(👀 Also - don’t miss the Early Access discount code I left for you at the bottom of this post!)
The latest build introduces a new startup walkthrough that is intended to ensure players know how to navigate right from the very beginning of the experience.
The new flow replaces a simple text box that read:
“pre-release build. TAP RIGHT thumb to OPEN constellation in view
SWIPE thumb to NAVIGATE MENU”
Call me biased, but I think the new walkthrough is a big improvement 😊.
Not from scratch
If you’ve played CONNECTOME, many of these steps will look familiar - I pulled them straight from the CONNECTOME startup flow! In fact, here’s a video I posted (see on Instagram, X) that highlights these very updates to CONNECTOME when I first introduced them (history does repeat itself 😉)
It wasn’t a straight copy/paste though. I reconsidered the language used, the order of the steps, and created a new “learn microgestures” step that I think is pretty nice. It’s like a mini-game! (hmm, idea for later…)
The Flow
Whether you're new to hand gestures or just new to the app, this walkthrough is designed to ensure you know how to navigate right from the very beginning.
What’s Covered?
1. Learning to Pinch - I start by ensuring sure you know how to pinch. Three quick pinches with each hand and you’re on to the next step... It may seem obvious, but pinching in VR requires intentionality. The cameras need to see enough movement between the thumb and the forefinger for the gesture to be recognized as a pinch.
When playtesting CONNECTOME, I saw a number of people struggle with the interactions because they weren’t pinching intentionally.
2. Connecting Dots - Once you know how to pinch, you’re ready to create your first line. Pinch, hold, and drag from one point to the next. Starting with a single line reduces “analysis paralysis” that can arise with multiple options. Completing a single line leads to a try a few more step that introduces multiple lines. The real intention of this step is to ensure the player understands that points are not all in the same plane. You may have to push and pull the line for it to meet its target. Dotted line adorners are drawn to indicate depth.
INSIDER TIP: I find that I now instinctively push and pull points slightly as I approach the target. This subtle forward and back ensures a quick snap into place.
3. Thumb Swiping and Tapping - “Microgestures” were introduced on the Quest platform in the spring of last year and provide thumb swipe and thumb tap detection. In CONSTELLATIONS, you navigate the main menu by swiping with your thumbs. A thumb tap selects the menu item in focus.
Similar to learning how to pinch, I start by teaching you to swipe and tap with a simple exercise.
A quick introduction to navigating the heads up display follows... to open a constellation, ensure the "Inspect" button is highlighted, then tap your left or right thumb when a constellation name appears in the heads up display. The rings in the heads up display indicate when a palm forward is detected, and directional indicators light up as you drag the "sky dome".
5. Pinching and Dragging - The final step in this new walkthrough introduces pinching and dragging. “Palm forward + pinch + drag” reads the guidance.
What’s Next?
With the startup tutorial now in place, I’ll shift focus back to the feature roadmap. “Scaling the sky”, constellation highlighting, and constellation illustrations are the next set of priorities.
If you’d like to help shape the direction of this project, please join the Discord!
👉 Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/3ay2f9k4NV
👉 Wishlist or Purchase CONSTELLATIONS! -
Your Discount Code
And, as promised, here’s your 20% off DISCOUNT CODE: CONSTELLATIONSINSIDERJAN-2E107A
Don’t wait too long to use it (or share it) - this code expires on Jan. 31!
Until next time!
Grant