Paddle Golf League - Meta Horizon Worlds
During my time as a Game Design Lead at Meta, I designed Paddle Golf, an innovative VR game for Meta Horizon Worlds that combines a fun physics-based mechanic with the casual pacing of golf. The game became a major success, earning recognition on The Today Show and becoming a favorite among Horizon players.
As a personal project, I expanded on this concept by developing Paddle Golf League, exploring its potential as a live service game while honing my game development skills.
To develop Paddle Golf, I tackled a key VR flaw: fun physics interactions often feel gimmicky and lack long-term engagement. As a lifelong golfer, I saw golf’s casual pace as ideal for VR but reimagined the mechanics to avoid injury and tracking loss. I introduced a toss-and-hit system with larger balls and paddles, creating a forgiving and engaging experience while preserving the spirit of the game.
I applied Self-Determination Theory to design Paddle Golf League's live service features, focusing on key player motivations:
Competence: Introduced in-depth stat tracking and weekly leaderboards, allowing players to track progress and compete.
Autonomy: Developed an in-game economy and customizable equipment system, enabling players to earn currency and showcase their unique style.
Relatedness: Established a Discord server for community building, encouraging players to connect through leaderboards, gear, and shared experiences, fostering friendships within the Paddle Golf community.
To maximize replayability, I utilized Horizon’s asset loading system to enable dynamically loaded game content, making Paddle Golf League infinitely expandable.
IMPACT
Paddle Golf League launches in H1 2025 for Meta Horizon Worlds on the Quest family of VR devices.