Synth Riders interview with Abraham Aguero

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VR rhythm game Synth Riders sees players enter a neon-chrome playspace inspired by the '80s and move their bodies to hit notes in time to the synthwave soundtrack, all in a way that's conducive to dance. This has seen the game garner a cult following and allowed the team to support its community with significant post-launch content free of charge. We spoke to Synth Riders' Abraham Aguero about all this and more.

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by Sam Sant

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@SlamShotSam

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Interviewee
Synth Riders Developer,
Abraham Aguero

@_aben

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How’s it been seeing such a positive fan reaction to the Early Access launch of Synth Riders?

It’s been tremendously encouraging, especially with the feedback we have been getting with the hardcore gamers: the streamers and Discord community.

​Anecdotally, I would say Synth Riders is the most streamed rhythm game, next to Beat Saber. The streamers have given us a lot of love, because we listen to their feedback and comments and they have helped us shape the game, which in turn creates a virtuous cycle because they appreciate the fact that we are improving the game because of what they are suggesting.

What first inspired the game? Were you a big fan of music-rhythm pioneers like Guitar Hero and Thumper, or was it VR technology itself that planted the seed?

Guitar Hero was definitely one of the main inspirations for us. Thumper was also a big influence, that sense of movement they created and the speed at which the game takes place.

You’ve worked with a variety of synthwave artists to compile Synth Riders’ soundtrack - can you tell us a bit about that process? Did you just reach out to musicians you’re a fan of? Were they all receptive to featuring in the game?

This was very much an organic process. From the start we wanted to focus on synthwave songs. Before Synth Riders I built an Instagram community, RetroWave VR, which comprises a following of synthwave and 80s video game and film enthusiasts. It was through this group that I knew there was an interest in the 80s aesthetics and synthwave music.

A record label, Newretrowave, reached out to us to build a game to support the release of a synthwave compilation album called Magnatron 2.0. We created a game to support the release of the album, and produced an AR interactive album cover. That project really helped put us on the map with the Synthwave community and we went from there. I had synthwave artists reaching out to me and I also had artists that I was attracted to because I knew their songs would work so well with the game.

​Having just expanded the soundtrack from 16 to 21 songs and introduced a suite of new modes, all via a free update, what are your plans for continued support moving forwards?

We have more music packs lined up as we move forward. We are big believers in giving our fans great value for money, so our plan for the moment is to bring more content to the game, while keeping with our current pricing. However, we also intentionally wanted to help foster a community both in terms of beatmap editors and game modders. We get a lot of great feed from both of these communities who love the ease with which they can create their own tracks or modify the game. This in turn helps us get greater awareness and greatly helps expand the experience of the game.

Courtesy of the same free update, Synth Riders is now the first game to feature native integration of the YUR.fit software - how does it feel to help keep people in good health whilst they enjoy playing the game?  

I think this is a huge evolution for Synth Riders. We were approached by Cix Liv, who not only co-founded YUR.fit, but also the in-game video streaming technology, LIV. Cix noticed the number of Streamers who played Synth Riders and recognized the synergy between playing the game and losing weight. We have always been interested in exploring this VR fitness niche, but Cix is building a whole business around it.

He has a great clip on Facebook that summarizes his vision for VR fitness, which he believes is a game changer because it combines fitness and fun. Players who enjoy active games like Synth Riders or Beat Saber are actually improving their health while they play. YUR.fit now helps these enthusiasts understand the degree to which they are burning calories. Synth Riders is stoked to be working so closely with Cix and his co-founder Dilan who have really helped us on a number of strategic and marketing levels.

Was the fitness element a consideration when development started, or more a happy side effect of the game’s involved motion controls?

Well music and dance was always a central component of our game. From our perspective we wanted our fans to have fun and get fit. YUR.fit wants fans to get fit and [have] fun. There is a subtle difference but the two are very closely linked.

​Does the success of Beat Saber - a game with which yours shares many similarities - mostly excite or concern you? Is there something which really sets Synth Riders apart from the competition?

This is a question that we get asked a lot. Many people who had not heard about Synth Riders immediately think we are just jumping on the Beat Saber bandwagon. The reality is that we were both developing our games at the same time. Beat Saber came to market about two months before us and it wasn’t until they emerged that we realized the game existed. Personally, I think Beat Saber is a great game. At this stage whatever helps enhance the industry is great for everyone, so to be compared with Beat Saber is a compliment. 

When it comes to the differences between our games I think it boils down to fighting a foe or dancing with a partner. The fundamental difference can be found in the titles of the game. Beat Saber plays off the word beat, which references the rhythm element of the game, but also the boxing component. You [literally] have to beat the game with your saber. With Synth Riders you are drawn into a dance. Because your hands are transformed into orbs [(instead of sabers with some range to them)] it forces you to move more of your body.  Once you begin to master our game you really have to be dancing, you are playing with the game, as if it is a dance partner, you are not opposing it.

You’re currently working on an Oculus Quest release; how’s that coming along? Also, do you have any plans to bring the game to PlayStation VR in the future?

We have done a lot of work getting the game ready for Oculus Quest and if you ask our team it’s pretty much ready to go. We are just waiting for the greenlight from Oculus. When it comes to demoing the game, working with Quest is a breeze because the set up is so simple. Because our game is so active the fact that Quest doesn’t have any wires or cords frees up the player and helps them really get lost in the game, which is huge.

In regards to PlayStation VR, we have been approved as VR game developers and are hoping to have the game on PlayStation by mid to late fall.

As previously mentioned, you’re currently in Early Access - when can we expect to see the full release?

Our plan is to come out with a full release by this summer, when we will have more songs to offer and some other exciting developments, which are currently under wraps. But stay tuned. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

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Thanks to ​Abraham Aguero for taking the time to answer our Synth Riders questions!

Check the game out on Steam, the Oculus Store, and Viveport ​if you're looking to have some fun whilst working on your fitness. Oculus Quest and PlayStation VR fans should also keep their eyes peeled for Synth Riders' impending release on both platforms.

For a chance to win 1 of 5 Synth Riders Steam keys, enter our giveaway.