Developer 3R Games has released the Tham Luang cave location for Cave Crave on Meta Quest. This update is the latest addition to the studio's 'Real Caves in VR' initiative, following the previous inclusion of Utah's Nutty Putty Cave.

Technical Accuracy and Guidance

To ensure the accuracy of the Tham Luang environment, 3R Games collaborated with experts involved in the 2018 rescue operation:

  • Richard Walters: Utilized survey data to map the real geometry and scale of the cave into VR.
  • John Volanthen: Provided voice-over guidance to lead players through the submerged underwater sections.
  • Vern Unsworth: Contributed topographical knowledge and narrates the experience within the non-submerged sections of the cave.

New Gameplay Mechanics

The Tham Luang update introduces specific mechanics to handle the cave's unique environment:

  1. Swimming and Diving: Players must now navigate through fully submerged passages.
  2. Visibility Challenges: The game utilizes low-light conditions and near-total darkness to simulate the experience of the real-life cave.
  3. Expert Navigation: Players rely on recorded voice guidance from John Volanthen to traverse the underwater segments safely.

Platform Availability

The Tham Luang location is available now for players on Meta Quest. While the developer has confirmed that the update will arrive on Steam and PlayStation VR2, an exact release date for those platforms has not been provided beyond a "soon" window.