Bigscreen Beta
- April 28, 2016
- Bigscreen, Inc.
- 86h median play time
Get on Steam"Bigscreen Beta" is a virtual reality game that lets you watch videos with friends through desktop screen sharing, premium 3D movies, and user-uploaded video files. It also offers a customizable movie theater environment, up to three virtual monitors, and the ability to play games on large screens. This game provides a social and immersive experience for watching movies and playing games with others in a virtual setting.
PC
Virtual Reality
Windows
Oculus VR
Windows Mixed Reality
Reviews
- Bigscreen Beta offers a fun and immersive way to watch movies and shows with friends in a virtual environment, making it feel like a real cinema experience.
- The app is free and provides a variety of environments and customization options, allowing users to create their ideal viewing experience.
- The social aspect of Bigscreen Beta is highly praised, with users enjoying the ability to interact with others while watching content together.
- The app has significant moderation issues, with reports of inappropriate content and behavior in public rooms, making it less suitable for younger audiences.
- Many users experience technical issues, such as crashes, audio problems, and difficulties with the user interface, which can detract from the overall experience.
- The requirement for all participants to rent movies individually can be frustrating, as it limits the ability to enjoy shared viewing experiences without additional costs.
- story49 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that the game's story aspect is minimal or non-existent, with users primarily focusing on its functionality for media consumption and social interaction in VR rather than a narrative experience. Many players appreciate the app for its ability to stream content and connect users across different platforms, but they express frustration with technical issues and limitations, particularly for Oculus Quest users. Overall, the emphasis is on the app's utility rather than any compelling storyline.
“To start off the review a bit of back story... I was a big VR skeptic in the sense I thought it was a gimmick for the longest time and a hindrance with all of the sensors and such.”
“You've cut this story down to the bone.”
“You know your story's already been told.”
“It would be much better if I could just play movies or videos stored directly on the Quest rather than having to stream it from somewhere else.”
- optimization46 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
Overall, users report a mixed experience with optimization. While many praise the application for its smooth performance and high-quality graphics, some have encountered significant issues, particularly after updates, leading to stuttering and resolution problems. The performance can vary greatly depending on hardware and specific settings, with some users noting that a solid PC is necessary for optimal streaming experiences.
“Very well optimized.”
“The graphics are top-notch and the performance is smooth and seamless.”
“Great performance, variety of environments, customizable.”
“We find that the bugscreen is finicky when it comes to what resolutions the source is at, so we have to adjust that too for better performance.”
“After a recent update, using these settings decreased game performance drastically, making it difficult and uncomfortable to play games in this way.”
“Now it has been 'improved' by adding in a load of features that I don't need or want while destroying performance and making it a pain to use.”
- graphics35 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
Overall, the graphics are highly praised for their realism and immersive quality, with many users noting smooth performance and impressive visual effects. However, some critiques highlight issues with distant visuals being blurry and a lack of customization options, suggesting that while the graphics are strong, there is room for improvement in clarity and detail. Despite these concerns, the general consensus is that the graphics contribute significantly to the overall experience, making it visually appealing and engaging.
“The graphics are top-notch and the performance is smooth and seamless.”
“The app's graphics and sound design are top-notch, creating an immersive and realistic experience.”
“Crisp visuals, also doesn't hit the performance of desktop mode.”
“Also, just a graphics opinion, it would be nice to have the stars in the sky and the skyscrapers in the distance be a lot clearer because when you look into the distance it is really blurry and bland and it really doesn't feel like I'm out on a balcony at that point. I think the sky and skyline should be stunning, although I understand there could be a graphics memory issue.”
“Is an app that runs Unity, has dumbed down graphics and has an emphasis on streaming films, TV shows, and online content.”
“No more customization, still no language support, no HDR support, very limited set of scenery, poor performance and visuals at the same time, everything looks pixelated and I can't set supersampling.”
- stability35 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
The stability of the application is frequently criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs, a frustrating user interface, and issues with video playback and controls. While some improvements have been noted over time, many still experience significant glitches that hinder usability, requiring frequent troubleshooting and restarts. Overall, the application is seen as a mixed bag, offering great potential but marred by persistent stability issues.
“No bugs to be seen, very nice environments, runs great, looks great.”
“Runs great for gaming, provides attractive environments, allows multiplayer, and it's free!”
“Otherwise the game's rooms look great and runs great as well.”
“The whole program has become buggy and even in single player mode is barely usable.”
“Terrible audio glitches have made the app unusable.”
“Freezes on initial loading screen, desktop never loads in, screen/video never appears.”
- music22 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The music aspect of the app is praised for its ability to enhance social interactions, allowing users to listen to and share music while engaging in various activities like watching movies or playing games. However, some users express frustration with audio management, particularly when loud music interferes with conversations. Overall, the platform is seen as a versatile space for discovering new music and enjoying shared experiences, with suggestions for improvements like themed environments for music events.
“And it's within these music lobbies, where I found absolute bangers and bands that I listen to daily, which changed my life.”
“Bigscreen delivers a simple yet refined space to kick back with others and enjoy whatever it is you like - movies, TV, music, and more.”
“But the concept is brilliant and they made a good call allowing you to use your own music.”
“You can't lower or mute audio on a server you join if they're playing music too loud to hear people talk over.”
“I have a Turtle Beach headset, and either I can't hear my friends, or they can't hear me, or I can't hear the movie while they can. It never works out, and we end up using Teamspeak and a music bot to circumvent that mess.”
“You will be in a room watching a movie when suddenly weird loud music comes on and inappropriate content will be on the big screen.”
- monetization13 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 15 % neutral mentions
- 77 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, primarily due to excessive ads and intrusive microtransactions, which detract from the overall experience. Users express frustration over the lack of meaningful moderation tools and the introduction of unwanted features, while also lamenting the absence of options to remove ads for a small fee. Overall, the monetization model is seen as exploitative and poorly implemented, overshadowing the game's potential.
“You can also watch 3D movies on this thing (good ones, not gimmicky ones) either through in-game purchase options or by owning a 3D movie yourself.”
“However, avatar creation leaves something to be desired; microtransactions are gross.”
“Has a ton of ads and garbo payment models.”
“The ads make it super unbearable.”
- humor10 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with users finding it charming and entertaining, particularly in social settings. Many appreciate the ability to share funny content and stories with friends, although some note technical issues that can disrupt the experience. Overall, the humor adds a fun and engaging element to the gameplay.
“Very funny and charming.”
“It was hilarious!”
“At first I was: ok this is funny.”
- gameplay9 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay experience is described as either highly engaging and cinematic on a large virtual screen or lacking entirely, with some users noting the absence of meaningful interactions and gameplay loops, leading to a less immersive experience.
“You can enjoy your favorite games on a massive virtual screen, making your gameplay even more engaging and cinematic.”
“There are no gameplay loops in this software, no 'gameplay', no meaningful game-like interaction.”
- atmosphere5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the virtual movie theater is praised for its social and interactive elements, creating a sense of togetherness among friends. Users appreciate the detailed environments and the laid-back, mature vibe, although concerns about potential toxicity and user safety are noted. Overall, it offers a relaxing escape from reality while maintaining a professional feel.
“The virtual movie theater is another highlight, allowing you to watch films with friends as if you were in the same room, complete with a social and interactive atmosphere.”
“The lay down feature is a game changer, as well as detailed and atmospheric environments; definitely recommend.”
“This can undermine user trust and safety, leading to a toxic atmosphere that drives away users seeking a positive experience.”
“It's a fun social application that is more professional than other VR social games, trading comprehensive customization capability for a laid-back but more respectfully mature atmosphere.”
“Also, it can be nice to let you view your existing multi-screen setup in a relaxing, neutral atmosphere, away from the troubles of the real world.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, often requiring significant time investment, and some suggest that it may necessitate creating a second account to manage the grind effectively. Additionally, the invite system lacks depth, contributing to the overall frustration with the grinding experience.
“The invite system is a bit tedious, and there's no developed 'friends' system.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by players' unexpected connections and humorous interactions, such as engaging with chatty characters in a way that elicits personal and playful responses. This suggests that the game can evoke a range of feelings, from nostalgia to amusement, enhancing the overall experience.
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users highlight the game's "infinite replayability," indicating that it offers endless opportunities for players to engage with the content, ensuring a fresh experience with each playthrough.
“The game offers infinite replayability, keeping me engaged for hours on end.”
“Every playthrough feels fresh and unique, making me want to dive back in again and again.”
“With multiple endings and diverse character choices, the replay value is off the charts!”
