/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24830473/CleanShot_2023_08_04_at_13.32.24.png "Meta’s new Super Rumble shooter game is the most fun thing in the metaverse")
What are the ethical implications of repeatedly targeting an eight-year-old in a video game? What if that eight-year-old is undeniably better than you at the game but is currently preoccupied with talking to their mom and not paying attention, presenting your best and perhaps only opportunity to make a comeback? How much trash talking is permissible after eliminating the eight-year-old multiple times? And what if said eight-year-old has been taunting you for the majority of the past hour, gleefully shouting “Expecto Patronum” whenever they shoot their shotgun?
These are the challenging questions that players are confronted with in Super Rumble, an innovative game for the Meta Quest. (In truth, these are the types of queries that arise in the metaverse and most multiplayer online games.) Super Rumble immerses players in Horizon Worlds, Meta’s ambitious virtual universe system that has thus far failed to captivate users, including Meta employees.
However, against all odds, Super Rumble manages to be incredibly enjoyable. While it may not be the Quest’s finest game or even the best Fortnite clone (that distinction goes to Population: One), it stands out as the most promising indication that Meta may eventually succeed in creating a genuinely enjoyable digital world. The game’s simplicity is a contributing factor to its success. Players are dropped into a straightforward arena containing seven distinct weapons, and their objective is to eliminate their opponents. Each round lasts a few minutes, with players respawning shortly after their demise. It is an all-out battle until the buzzer sounds. As players progress in the game, they level up and unlock new skills and equipment. While I may not be a virtuoso at the game, I have become proficient in the one- and two-handed shooting mechanics and have discovered the most effective weapons and “Super Powers” (trust me, the grenade launcher and Super Ammo are must-haves). I have also discovered excellent hiding spots and am finally adept at navigating using both the controller and my body. Super Rumble may not immediately challenge the supremacy of Fortnite or Apex Legends in the shooter genre, but it is remarkably enjoyable.
Super Rumble represents the convergence of several key elements that contribute to the improvement of the metaverse. Meta’s internal game studio, Ouro Interactive, utilized groundbreaking tools that allow developers to incorporate external elements and assets into Horizon Worlds, surpassing the limitations of the built-in libraries. According to Meta’s metaverse head, Vishal Shah, “We’ve really raised the ceiling on what can be built in Horizon in terms of visual complexity, interactivity and fun gameplay.” The game offers deeper replayability and surpasses anything Meta has previously created, and, importantly, it functions exceptionally well.
Above all, Super Rumble provides meaningful engagement in the metaverse. Many supposedly immersive experiences simply involve standing around and observing or watching something unfold on a screen within the screen. This explains why screenshots of individuals idly standing in Decentraland make them appear lonely and why most experiences are merely technological demonstrations. While it is intriguing to be dropped into a 360-degree environment for exploration, novelty quickly fades, and too often, there is nothing substantial beneath the surface. Even in the rest of Horizon Worlds, there is little to do aside from marveling at the animations and questioning why one’s avatar lacks legs. Meta seems content with this state of affairs, viewing the metaverse as a place where people will eventually gather with friends, more akin to a virtual café than a virtual arcade. Personally, I do not envision myself leisurely relaxing in my Quest headset anytime soon.
Super Rumble functions as both a game and a virtual space, cleverly encompassing the spirit of the metaverse. Players assume the role of their Meta avatars, lending a genuinely enjoyable sense of playing as oneself. In-game, you can hear all the other players competing, fostering a united atmosphere within the arena. (One of the highlights of my experience has been listening to a group of preteens trading insults – one kid told another, “Your hairline is like a pineapple,” and I am still trying to decipher that one.) When a round concludes, a new one commences a minute later with the same participants, allowing for the possibility of playing with friends all day or getting to know new opponents instead of constantly encountering unfamiliar faces. Super Rumble successfully merges being a game and a virtual space, a shrewd move by Meta.
The challenge now lies in Meta’s ability to expand on Super Rumble, introducing new levels, weapons, and power-ups that maintain players’ interest and compel them to return to this virtual world. Additionally, Meta needs to persuade individuals that the game is engrossing enough to warrant delving into Horizon Worlds, meticulously customizing their avatars, and mastering Meta’s universe. Thus far, the game has garnered favorable reception from those who have experienced it, but it has not been successful in attracting a large user base to Horizon Worlds. Each time I launch the app, I find approximately 1,000 players engaged in Super Rumble. While this is not an insignificant number, it is far from impressive.
Moreover, Meta must continue to demonstrate that Super Rumble is more than just a virtual reality game. While I am optimistic about the future of virtual and augmented reality gaming, I remain unconvinced that “the metaverse” will become a place where people choose to spend their time. Super Rumble represents a step in the right direction, both from a technical perspective and as an immersive activity, but there is still much progress to be made.
In the meantime, I will continue trash-talking the limbless avatars of preteens from around the world. That, my friends, is what the metaverse is all about.
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Alex Smith is a writer and editor with over 10 years of experience. He has written extensively on a variety of topics, including technology, business, and personal finance. His work has been published in a number of magazines and newspapers, and he is also the author of two books. Alex is passionate about helping people learn and grow, and he believes that writing is a powerful tool for communication and understanding.
