2023

DESCRIPTION

Dynamometer Dash is a VR train experience developed for the National Rail Museum in York. Sit inside a model Dynamometer Car and monitor its speed in a recreation of Mallard’s record-breaking 1938 run.

The project aims to give users a sense of speed, build interest in the Dynamometer Car and Mallard, and show train interiors to museum visitors (especially those who cannot get up the staircase to see inside the trains). Accessibility is key for this project, so no controllers are required to play. The experience is also fully operable from a keyboard and mouse to allow NRM staff to control it.

DEVELOPMENT

This project was developed in Unreal Engine 5 with a Quest 2 and the VR Expansion plugin. It takes inspiration from VR model trains in Rolling Line and piloting vehicles in No Man’s Sky’s VR mode.

RECEPTION

Dynamometer Dash earned a 1st mark for its accessibility and data-driven design and was shortlisted for the Most Innovative award at the 2023 Interactive Media Showcase.