Gorilla Tag

File:Gorilla Tag screenshot.png

In Gorilla Tag, players assume the role of gorilla-like creatures without legs, officially nicknamed "monkes". Control focuses on the player's hand movements, allowing the monke to walk, jump by pushing away from surfaces, and climb with its arms.{{Cite web |last=Cunningham |first=James |date=December 15, 2022 |title=Live like an ape man with Gorilla Tag launch trailer |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/videos/live-like-an-ape-man-with-gorilla-tag-launch-trailer/435035/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240922210932/https://hardcoregamer.com/videos/live-like-an-ape-man-with-gorilla-tag-launch-trailer/435035/ |archive-date=September 22, 2024 |access-date=September 25, 2024 |website=Hardcore Gamer |language=en}} {{Cite web |last=Hicks |first=Michael L. |date=May 23, 2022 |title=The joy of Gorilla Tag for Oculus Quest proves Meta should do more with App Lab |url=https://www.androidcentral.com/gaming/virtual-reality/gorilla-tag-quest-game-of-the-week |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503175419/https://www.androidcentral.com/gaming/virtual-reality/gorilla-tag-quest-game-of-the-week |archive-date=May 3, 2024 |access-date=September 22, 2024 |website=Android Central |language=en}} A grip button allows the player to hold on to objects. Multiple environments, such as Forest, Cave, and Canyon, are available to choose, and a voice chat feature is enabled by default.{{Cite web |last=Baker |first=Harry |date=March 15, 2021 |title=Everyone loves Gorilla Tag and it's clear to see why, out now in App Lab (Update) |url=https://www.uploadvr.com/gorilla-tag/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305032847/https://www.uploadvr.com/gorilla-tag/ |archive-date=March 5, 2024 |access-date=September 22, 2024 |website=UploadVR |language=en}} Avatar cosmetics can be bought with an in-game currency, Shiny Rocks, which is obtainable through daily logins or in-app purchases.{{Cite web |last=Jay |first=Max |date=August 7, 2024 |title=A parent's guide to Gorilla Tag |url=https://www.esrb.org/blog/a-parents-guide-to-gorilla-tag/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240928024423/https://www.esrb.org/blog/a-parents-guide-to-gorilla-tag/ |archive-date=September 28, 2024 |access-date=September 28, 2024 |publisher=Entertainment Software Rating Board |language=en-US}}

A match is formed through queues of three types: default, competitive, and minigame, the last of which allows for matches with custom rules.{{Cite web |title=Gorilla Tag |url=https://www.gorillatagvr.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826175515/https://www.gorillatagvr.com/ |archive-date=August 26, 2024 |access-date=September 22, 2024 |website=gorillatagvr.com |at="Game modes" section of the page}} The game has featured four main game modes.

• Casual mode is non-competitive and allows for socialization and exploration.{{Cite web |last=Oloman |first=Jordan |date=May 20, 2021 |title=Tag has inexplicably become this year's hottest VR game |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/tag-has-inexplicably-become-this-years-hottest-vr-game/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203072053/https://www.pcgamer.com/tag-has-inexplicably-become-this-years-hottest-vr-game/ |archive-date=December 3, 2023 |access-date=September 22, 2024 |website=PC Gamer |language=en}}

• Infection mode consists of a game of tag where a randomly selected player starts as a Lava Monkey, who can turn other players into Lava Monkeys by tagging. The game ends when every player is a Lava Monkey.

• In Hunt mode, each player is tasked with tagging a unique target with information from a hunt watch. Tagged players temporarily turn into a sped-up Ice Monkey, with the ability to slow down the hunters (not Ice Monkeys) by tagging them. The game ends when only two players are hunters.

• In Paintbrawl, players in orange and blue teams fire paint at the other team with slingshots. When a player is hit three times (represented by three balloons on the back popping), they are eliminated, but they can shoot adversaries afterwards to slow them down. The game ends when all of a team's members get eliminated.

Gorilla Tag was originally developed as a solo project by Kerestell Smith, known by his online username Lemming{{Cite web |last=Delaney |first=Mark |date=September 11, 2024 |title=How Gorilla Tag became a generational obsession and conquered VR |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/how-gorilla-tag-became-a-generational-obsession-and-conquered-vr/1100-6526437/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923125246/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/how-gorilla-tag-became-a-generational-obsession-and-conquered-vr/1100-6526437/ |archive-date=September 23, 2024 |access-date=September 25, 2024 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}} or LemmingVR. Smith took a greater interest in virtual reality (VR) with his frequent plays of Ready at Dawn's Echo Arena at the time,{{Cite web |last=Kaser |first=Rachel |date=January 18, 2023 |title=How Gorilla Tag made it big on the Quest’s not-store |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/how-gorilla-tag-made-it-big-on-the-quests-not-store/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001232256/https://venturebeat.com/games/how-gorilla-tag-made-it-big-on-the-quests-not-store/ |archive-date=October 1, 2023 |access-date=September 25, 2024 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US}} eventually competing in Echo Arena esports events.{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2022 |title=Behind the Build: Another Axiom talks {{'}}Gorilla Tag{{'}} |url=https://developers.meta.com/horizon/blog/gorilla-tag/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240925213210/https://developers.meta.com/horizon/blog/gorilla-tag/ |archive-date=September 25, 2024 |access-date=September 25, 2024 |website=Meta Developer's Blog |language=en-US}} He described how the game's zero gravity mechanic reflected on an idea of internal logic and immersion within virtual environments, which inspired Gorilla Tag{{'s}} development.

Smith started on the game's prototype in December 2019.{{Cite web |last=Hamilton |first=Ian |date=September 30, 2024 |title=Gorilla Tag creator believes 'VR's success is inevitable' |url=https://www.uploadvr.com/gorilla-tag-orion-drift-another-axiom/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930212223/https://www.uploadvr.com/gorilla-tag-orion-drift-another-axiom/ |archive-date=September 30, 2024 |access-date=October 2, 2024 |website=UploadVR |language=en}} The arm-based locomotion mechanic was inspired by Hidden Path's Raccoon Lagoon, in which the avatars reach torso height, facilitating the collection of items from the ground. Smith also cited the lack of VR leg controllers. He "had some of the movement prototype working" by around January 2020, and the tag idea was conceptualized some months after.

When presented with the movement mechanics, a friend of Smith remarked on the similarity with a gorilla's style of locomotion, originating the avatar concept. He implemented a low poly art style inspired by videos of indie games with graphics reminiscent of the first PlayStation console. Smith opted out of certain common game elements, such as a tutorial, menu, or joystick, for a deeper player connection to the places.

Gorilla Tag was first released in early access for the Oculus Quest line (now Meta Quest) via SideQuest and for SteamVR in February 2021. It launched on the App Lab section of the Oculus Store for Quest the following month. In August 2022, Smith formed the studio Another Axiom with David Yee and David Neubelt, who helped with development. The game officially debuted on the Meta Quest Store (previously the Oculus Store) on December 15, 2022,{{Cite web |last=Sutrich |first=Nicholas |date=November 30, 2022 |title=The Oculus Quest's most popular game is finally coming to the official store |url=https://www.androidcentral.com/gaming/virtual-reality/the-oculus-quests-most-popular-game-is-finally-coming-to-the-official-store |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524075142/https://www.androidcentral.com/gaming/virtual-reality/the-oculus-quests-most-popular-game-is-finally-coming-to-the-official-store |archive-date=May 24, 2024 |access-date=September 22, 2024 |website=Android Central |language=en}} leaving Steam early access on January 1, 2023.{{Cite web |title=Gorilla Tag |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1533390/Gorilla_Tag/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829111313/https://store.steampowered.com/app/1533390/Gorilla_Tag/ |archive-date=August 29, 2024 |access-date=October 3, 2024 |via=Steam}} It was launched for the PlayStation VR2 on November 8, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Cichacki |first=Shaun |date=November 8, 2024 |title=PSVR 2 finally has its killer app, now that {{'}}Gorilla Tag{{'}} is available to download |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/psvr-2-finally-has-its-killer-app-now-that-gorilla-tag-is-available-to-download/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110103747/https://www.vice.com/en/article/psvr-2-finally-has-its-killer-app-now-that-gorilla-tag-is-available-to-download/ |archive-date=November 10, 2024 |access-date=November 10, 2024 |website=Vice |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=November 8, 2024 |title=Gorilla Tag |url=https://store.playstation.com/en-us/concept/10007669 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110104240/https://store.playstation.com/en-us/concept/10007669 |archive-date=November 10, 2024 |access-date=November 10, 2024 |via=PlayStation Store}}

PC Gamer wrote that its "deceptively simple" gameplay was the main appealing aspect of the game, with movement controls that were "easy to toy with but tricky to master." In 2021, Gorilla Tag was awarded "Best Competitive Multiplayer" by UploadVR, commenting on its innovation on tag and physical immersion not present in flatscreen games.{{Cite web |last=Feltham |first=Jamie |date=December 23, 2021 |title=UploadVR's Best of 2021 awards - Winners |url=https://www.uploadvr.com/uploadvr-best-of-2021-winners/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911071811/https://www.uploadvr.com/uploadvr-best-of-2021-winners/ |archive-date=September 11, 2024 |access-date=October 2, 2024 |website=UploadVR |language=en}} Android Central described how the game experience was aided by "the physics-based simplicity" and how players can enjoy it if they endure the "poor" graphics and unwelcoming player behavior (toxicity). TechRadar praised the game's focus on simple fun over winning or losing, despite mentioning the potentially nauseating movement and describing how a game menu would be convenient for reporting or muting players.{{Cite web |last=Hector |first=Hamish |date=January 29, 2023 |title=The VR games and apps I've been playing in January 2023 |url=https://www.techradar.com/features/the-vr-games-and-apps-ive-been-playing-in-january-2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624185541/https://www.techradar.com/features/the-vr-games-and-apps-ive-been-playing-in-january-2023 |archive-date=June 24, 2024 |access-date=October 2, 2024 |website=TechRadar |language=en}}

During its early access phase, Gorilla Tag reportedly reached 1.5 million lifetime players by the end of 2021{{Cite web |last=Hamilton |first=Ian |date=January 19, 2023 |title=Gorilla Tag made $26 million in revenue on Quest App Lab |url=https://www.uploadvr.com/gorilla-tag-26-million-revenue/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713192017/https://www.uploadvr.com/gorilla-tag-26-million-revenue/ |archive-date=July 13, 2024 |access-date=September 29, 2024 |website=UploadVR |language=en}} and 4.5 million by November 2022.{{Cite web |last=Hamilton |first=Ian |date=November 30, 2022 |title=Reject humanity: Gorilla Tag comes to the Quest Store |url=https://www.uploadvr.com/gorilla-tag-quest-release-date/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240929024508/https://www.uploadvr.com/gorilla-tag-quest-release-date/ |archive-date=September 29, 2024 |access-date=September 29, 2024 |website=UploadVR |language=en}} By that month, it had surpassed Beat Saber in becoming the most user-reviewed game on the Quest Store, and in January 2023, it was listed as the store's most popular game. By June 2024, Gorilla Tag had amassed 10 million total users, 110 thousand reviews, and 90 thousand concurrent players. Average play session time approached 60 minutes and, according to developer David Yee, the game received three million monthly active users and one million daily active players.{{Cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=June 18, 2024 |title=Gorilla Tag crosses 10M VR players and $100M in revenue |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/gorilla-tag-crosses-10m-vr-players-and-100m-in-revenue/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918170332/https://venturebeat.com/games/gorilla-tag-crosses-10m-vr-players-and-100m-in-revenue/ |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |access-date=2024-09-29 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US}} Gorilla Tag reportedly generated $26 million in lifetime revenue in January 2023 and $100 million in June 2024.{{Cite web |last=Kerr |first=Chris |date=June 19, 2024 |title=VR title Gorilla Tag has earned over $100 million since 2021 |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/vr-title-gorilla-tag-has-earned-over-100-million-since-2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240929033550/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/vr-title-gorilla-tag-has-earned-over-100-million-since-2021 |archive-date=September 29, 2024 |access-date=September 29, 2024 |website=Game Developer |language=en}}

The Another Axiom team stated that the game was not subject to any substantive direct marketing. It was publicized through word of mouth, particularly on social media such as TikTok, in which Gorilla Tag videos had accumulated 10 billion views by June 2024. Active communities also formed on YouTube, Reddit, and Discord. Mark Delaney of GameSpot commented that the game primarily attracted players roughly between 7 and 14 years of age and considered Gorilla Tag as the "preferred virtual hangout" of Generation Alpha. As reported by VentureBeat, the popularity led the Another Axiom team to allow over 100 people to help develop Gorilla Tag and update it every few weeks.

An organized group was formed to create leagues with monetary prizes for players with the best performances. Other parts of the community were dedicated to modding the game; for instance, the Monke Map Loader add-on allows for loading custom locations inspired by real places and video game settings into Gorilla Tag.{{Cite web |last=Feltham |first=Jamie |date=April 25, 2021 |title=Gorilla Tag gets incredible new mod maps featuring Minecraft, Mario and more |url=https://www.uploadvr.com/gorilla-tag-custom-maps/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204162300/https://www.uploadvr.com/gorilla-tag-custom-maps/ |archive-date=December 4, 2023 |access-date=September 29, 2024 |website=UploadVR |language=en}} A large number of game clones have been released, which led VR platform SideQuest to decline further submissions of these types of games in 2022.{{Cite web |last=Feltham |first=Jamie |date=August 8, 2022 |title=SideQuest isn't accepting Gorilla Tag clones anymore |url=https://www.uploadvr.com/sidequest-isnt-accepting-gorilla-tag-clones-anymore/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528142238/https://www.uploadvr.com/sidequest-isnt-accepting-gorilla-tag-clones-anymore/ |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |access-date=September 29, 2024 |website=UploadVR |language=en}} Fan-made hoaxes akin to creepypastas were spread online surrounding players ("ghosts") that play eerie sounds or display hacking capabilities inside matches.{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=John |author-link=John Walker (journalist) |date=2025-01-17 |title=There's a VR game all the kids are playing, and they're convinced it's haunted |url=https://kotaku.com/gorilla-tag-vr-meta-quest-steamvr-free-ghosts-lucy-pbbv-1851741139 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250119082544/https://kotaku.com/gorilla-tag-vr-meta-quest-steamvr-free-ghosts-lucy-pbbv-1851741139 |archive-date=2025-01-19 |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=Kotaku |language=en}}

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• [https://www.gorillatagvr.com/ Official website]

Category:2022 video games

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