Features Overview

(2B)³  To Be Cubed is a digital cubing tutor designed to teach how to solve the cube via the beginners method which is also used to solve real cube games. (2B)³  To Be Cubed aims to support a variety of control methods and VR Headsets.

 
 

All-new and unique gameplay!

Inspired by the real world solving methods and powered by Blueprint Visual Scripting!

Unreal Engine Blueprint based Cube Surveillance System providing various real-time information possibilites to guide and support the player trough their solving process. See it in action by clicking on the video.

With the power of the visual scripting system provided by Unreal Engine 4, a real-time, procedural Cube Surveillance system was developed. It monitors the cube and records the positions and rotations of each single cubie the cube consists of, the directions of each colored face of each cubies, etc... Depending on different patterns in these solve states of the cubies, extensive information and projection of the current cube solve attempt can be extracted and analyzed in real-time.

These informations and projections are not only useful for giving the informations about the positioning and alignment states of single cubies or Turn and Algorithm information and similar, it is the basis of the most unique feature of (2B)³:

An interactive Tutor function that KNOWs what the player is doing and what he probably should do, so it can guide you trough the whole process of solving the world´s most famous mind game!

Multiple Environments for appropriate cubing feng-shui

Short Impression video of the environments available in the early game.

An important factor when learning to solve the cube, is the right environment.

Being able to concentrate and focus on the task will not only increase the chances of a successful solve, it can also help to transform the solving process into some kind of mediation. In (2B)³ we implemented three different environments for your mental cubing support in the early game.

Being in an 80´s style neon-grid (reminiscence to the times the cube mind game was invented), on a silent and graceful orbit around our blue planet: mother earth, or in a plain white space without dimensions and disturbance, you are free to choose!

Watch the Video on the right giving a first impression.

Click to watch in-game footage showing wear and tear of cube stickers

Aging and deteriorating cube

Each layer turn you perform will not only add up to your total turn count, it will also wear out the cubies stickers.

You will notice an increasing number of scratches and fingerprints on the once so shiny cube.

Watch our little demonstration video on the left to get a glimpse of sticker evanescence.

 

Algorithm visualization

Demonstration of Algorithm display style in the Algorithm Overview Menu (watch our YouTube Playlist to see all of (2B)³´s featured algos)

See exactly how different algorithms work. Unveil the magic of how to move a single Cubie from one position to another without scrambling the cube again. The repetition of an algorithm also reveals the periodic nature of algorithms when the cubies snap to their starting position after a certain number of algorithm iterations. In (2B)³ the Algo Overview shows you how a particular algorithm works, the button combination on your controller to activate it in the game and how it is applied and under which conditions.

 

 

Example video of Controls and Notation visualization in the Controls Overview Menu

The possible layer and cube turns you can perform, which are the basis of the algorithms, are visualized in a similar way to the Algo Overview. The Controls Overview shows you the available layer and cube rotation options, their Singmaster notation and the needed controller button combination to activate the option.

 

 

Watch examples in our Youtube Tutorial Section (under construction)

Interactive progress information

Click on the picture above to see the Completion Bar in action in early footage of a full cube solve in one single take

The Completion Bar below the cube  and the Cubie Boards on its sides show you which individual steps you already achieved in solving the cube, what to do next and what solve state each cubie has.

The Bar always shows the most complete solve path depending on the first chosen color. This color is usually the color of the layer the player chooses automatically when he forms his first cross. Later solve steps may scramble that initial color up. We currently are working to find a solution.

All HUD elements can be toggled on and off screen individually to allow the player to show only the desired elements.

Virtual Speedcubing - Wanna be fast?

Algorithm "CornerOrientation Left (CoOL)" performed not by bound button, but by single layer turn input

(2B)³ To Be Cubed is not designed to only teach the player how to solve the cube. It also gives the you the possibility to become fast at it! Beat your best/worst opponent: Yourself (or the clock, depending on the game mode...). You can set your layer turn speed via a slider in the options menu in a range from 0.1s to 2s per turn. Either if you want to start slow, or you already know the deal and want to improve your personal time, it´s up to you to choose what you like best.

Ah, and yes...there´s also a little thing about these algos performed via a button press....well...the released game will have fixed durations for the algorithm turns. So if you want to get (legitimately) fast times, you have to perform the algos yourself. Early tests show that it is  quite well possible (with a little training, esp. for the playing dev).

VR and Motion controls

Sure you can use a gamepad to play... (2B)³ is designed to be played with a gamepad. Keyboard controls are also supported.

The final release will also feature an Android Version of the game, which will support Gamepad and (most likely) Touchscreen Control.

But if you are the lucky owner of a Razer Hydra, an HTC Vive or even an Oculus Touch controller you can use them to solve the cube like in real life: with your Hands! If you also posses an HMD, which MAY ship with said systems, you can also use it to bring the cube solving simulation to a whole new level!

A projected Android Version will also be playable on Samsung Gear VR.

If you are a real life cuber and posses a real cube, compare the controls provided in the game with your real solving feeling and give us your feedback! (when greenlight starts, though ;-) ) We want to get as close to the real thing as it gets!

 

Supported platforms:

  • PC
  • Oculus Rift Dk2 and CV1
  • HTC Vive

Projected platforms:

  • Android Support (Controller or Touchscreen)
  • Samsung Gear VR (Controller needed)

System Requirements:

Minimum:

  • OS: Windows 7
  • Processor: Intel i5-4590 equivalent or greater
  • RAM: 8GB (VR Minimum)
  • GPU: Geforce 970 or equivalent (VR Minimum)
  • DirectX: Version 9.0c
  • HDD: 2 GB of Hard drive space

Full Release Features & Timeline

Full Release features:

  • Multiple Game Modes: Tutor, Time Trials, Turn Trials (Cubies lose their color after a number of performed layer turns)
  • Customizable Cube Surfaces and Colors (Patterns for Color-blind, pictures, etc...)
  • Interactive, Cube Surveillance based Solving Tutor, reacting to players solve attempt and giving interactive advice for the process of identifying the currently needed cubies, positioning the cube and choosing the moves to apply to it.
  • More Environments
  • Full Sound and score
  • Online Best Times Score board
  • Controller Slots where you can set your own Algorithms
  • Android and Samsung Gear VR support (Controller needed for gameplay)
  • Full VR and Motion Control support (depending on the developers getting their hands on some HTC´s or Oculus´ Motion Controls. :-P )

Release Date:

  • Greenlight campaign starting soon!