Game title: Job Simulator
Gaming system: Oculus Quest (Virtual reality (VR) headset)
Category: Casual play, beginner, food, simulation
Player type: Solo, suitable for everyone, ages 10+
Restrictions: Play time should be limited for younger ages and novice VR users with awareness for vision issues and motion sickness associated with VR use
Average game play time: 30 to 60 minutes
Game set-up: Empty indoor area, at least 6.5 feet by 6.5 feet
Publisher: Owlchemy Labs *All Photos by Katie Holloman
Release Date: May 21, 2019
Cost: $19.99
Website: https://jobsimulatorgame.com/
Overview
Job Simulator is a virtual reality (VR) game on the Oculus Quest VR headset, which was created by Oculus VR, a division of Facebook, Inc.. Both the Oculus Quest and the Job Simulator game were released on May 21, 2019, which makes this a brand new gaming system. Although, Job Simulator exists on multiple VR gaming systems. The Oculus Quest is being referred to as the first all-in-one virtual reality gaming system. Although Facebook hasn’t disclosed full figures on the number of headset units sold, Mark Zuckerberg stated that they sold $5 million worth of content in the Oculus store on Christmas day 2019 (Hamilton, 2020). Insiders estimate that over one million headsets were sold in 2019 alone, in addition to Oculus Quests being on backorder until February 2020 currently.
Job Simulator is considered one of Oculus Quest’s casual games, aimed at everyone aged 10 and above for solo play. The game takes place in the future, 2050, a time where robots have taken over all human jobs. Within this game space, players are able to experience human jobs once again, assisting robots in four different positions: office worker, gourmet chef, convenience store clerk and automotive mechanic. You can easily choose which job to try out and can move from one position to another once you become bored as there are no actual time constraints. Although, there is always a layer of humor in each job world and task, so it’s difficult not to be entertained. Within each job, you can start a new task at your leisure by pulling a ticket, fax, etc. to continue on. Once your task starts, you must complete the step-by-step directions in order to move on to the next task. Additionally, once you complete all tasks for a job, you can move onto another job and, with enough play time, you can unlock night shift jobs in “Infinite Overtime” mode.
The following are visuals of job positions in Job Simulator with a brief description of tasks:
Office worker
-Complete computer tasks, bug your cubicle neighbors, drink coffee, present a PowerPoint to your supervisor and more.
Gourmet chef
-Cook, blend and microwave dishes such as breakfast, smoothies, sandwiches, cakes and more.
Convenience store clerk
-Sell, scan merchandise, exchange money, jumbo size snacks and answer questions for robot customers.
Automotive mechanic
-Sell, fix and bill falling apart robot car’s headlights, refill fluids, give cars new paint jobs, replace tires, add bling and more.
Game Experience
I’ve been fascinated by VR since I studied it in my E-learning Trends course in my first semester of the Learning Design & Technology program at CU Denver in fall 2018. Therefore, after finally getting my own Oculus Quest VR headset recently, I use it to relax from a stressful day and casual games such as Job Simulator help with motor functions and acclimating to VR. I have found that more practice with the Oculus Quest has reduced my motion sickness and the dizziness sometimes associated with using VR for longer periods for some players. Job Simulator does have a learning curve as there are truly four smaller sub-games within it due to the ability to choose different job worlds/positions to play in. However, Job Simulator helps players understand some of the general tasks involved with each type of real-world job, as well as developing motor skills and analytical skills while mastering each job world. I was surprised at how interactive each job world is as you can truly have a different experience/actions each time even with the same task.
Scholarly Examination and Game Constraints
Giving players in Job Simulator the freedom to “choose their own adventure” rather than having one distinct answer, makes this game on the cutting edge of simulation gaming in VR. Additionally, having the free agency to fail tasks and attempt different methodologies for each job, players have the opportunity to experiment (Kalir, 2016) and think of varying creative ways to utilize their Oculus touch controllers, as well as game objects in the VR job simulations. While players are developing their motor skills in VR, they are also learning to be analytical, reviewing multiple options for each task and completing decisive, free-thinking actions.
I believe that VR can be beneficial in a classroom setting, also. Although in previous years, it was not a cost affordable option, in present day, technology advances such as using mobile phones and free or low-cost goggles allow VR to be accessible to various educational groups. For students, VR offers “a unique learning environment” with interactive 3D visualizations. Whereas a lower income school may not be able to visit the ocean to experience various marine life, they can access VR ocean life and interact digitally without spending money and time on a far-flung location. VR has the ability to encourage student interaction and motivate learners by making “the learning experience more interesting and fun with the purpose of improving student engagement” (Oigara, 2016, pg. 2). Not only can students become more engaged by experiencing a virtual world, but they are physically interacting in a new environment. The physical reward of participating in VR can also contribute to increased self-esteem and reduced stress, anxiety and depression (Bailey, 2006). I can attest that my increased physical interaction with VR and Job Simulator improves my mood and allows me to add some steps to my FitBit at the same time.
Although, Job Simulator is primarily used for relaxation and entertainment purposes in my case, it could be utilized in schools for improving self-esteem and engagement. In the article “Level Up Learning: A national survey on teaching with digital games”, video game consoles are primarily being used to “motivate/reward my students” (54%) and “to give students a break activity (43%) (Takeuchi & Vaala, 2014). But, these statistics with the introduction of VR in the classroom could help translate VR from a motivating break time activity to a tool for teaching new materials, including meeting curriculum standard topics. Not to mention, Job Simulator could be a great tool for teaching students basic job exposure and dealing with money and decision-making.
The only true limitation for VR and Job Simulator in a classroom setting would be cost constraints and safety concerns giving possible motion sickness and related dizziness. VR has not existed long enough to show the long term effects on vision and other unpredicted physical side effects. Therefore, this could be concerning as a possible liability for the school or school district. What concerns do you have for using VR personally and/or in your classroom?
Overall, Job Simulator is an enjoyable VR game where its entertainment purposes could translate to the educational sector.
References
Bailey, R. (2006). Physical Education and Sport in Schools: A Review of Benefits and Outcomes. Sports and Development. 397-401. Retrieved from https://www.sport-for-development.com/imglib/downloads/bailey2006-physical-education-and-spor-in-schools-a-review-of-benefits-and-outcomes.pdf.pdf
Bailey, R. (2006). Physical Education and Sport in Schools: A Review of Benefits and Outcomes. Sports and Development. 397-401. Retrieved from https://www.sport-for-development.com/imglib/downloads/bailey2006-physical-education-and-spor-in-schools-a-review-of-benefits-and-outcomes.pdf.pdf
Hamilton, I. (2019). Oculus Store Sold Almost $5 Million In Content on Christmas Day 2019. Retrieved from https://uploadvr.com/facebook-quest-earnings-2020/
Job Simulator: the 2050 archives. (2020). Retrieved February 5, 2020, from https://jobsimulatorgame.com/
Kalir, J. (2016). Conclusion: Good game: On the Limitations of Puzzles and Possibilities for Gameful Learning. Teacher Pioneers: Visions from the Edge of the Map. (pp. 359-371). Caro Williams-Pierce (Ed.), et al. and ETC Press. Retrieved from https://via.hypothes.is/http://remikalir.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Kalir-2016-Pioneers-Conclusion.pdf
Oculus Experiences. (n.d.). Retrieved January 4, 2020, from https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/3235570703151406/?locale=en_US
Oigara, J. (2019). Integrating Virtual Reality Tools Into Classroom Instruction. ResearchGate, 147-148. doi: 10.4018/978-1-5225-3949-0.ch008. Retreived from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/James_Oigara/publication/331580525_Integrating_Virtual_Reality_Tools_Into_Classroom_Instruction/links/5cccc95a458515712e902e6d/Integrating-Virtual-Reality-Tools-Into-Classroom-Instruction.pdf
Takeuchi, L. M, & Vaala, S. (2014). Level up learning: A national survey on teaching with digital games. New York: The Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop. Retrieved from https://via.hypothes.is/http://www.joanganzcooneycenter.org/wp- content/uploads/2014/10/jgcc_leveluplearning_final.pdf
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