*Interview has been edited for readability and length.

• Introduce yourself!

Hi, I'm Nickbond. A passionate fan of video games, 3D, and VR in his free time.

How long have you been creating mods?

I don't create mods. I'm not a modder. In my case, I've been a beta tester for several games, versions of bHaptics Player, and a contributor creating tacts (effects) for two simulation mods with the wonderful modders Cercata and Astien. I enjoy the "homemade" tool of editing Audio Profiles so that not only I can enjoy myself but also the community can have audio support for more titles than just VR, as I like that alternative as a user.

When did you discover bHaptics?

In 2019, I was already looking into haptic systems and testing out VR. When I finally bought my first headset, already with Quest 2, in 2020, that's when I ventured into trying out bHaptics vest. Since I liked it, I later bought arms. Then Tactal Face… and feet that same year. Two years later, I also acquired the gloves.

Why did you decide to create Audio Profiles for Audio-to-Haptics?

In my case, collaborating on mods was satisfying, both in helping modders and the gaming community, and an opportunity to try to recreate the sensations I felt myself in Audio Profiles. Instead of local static impacts, I tried to use something that transmitted movement thanks to telemetry in the case of simulators.

My main contribution has been creating Audio Profiles for Audio-to-Haptics (AtH), as I not only use them as a standalone player, on PC, or on console, but I also found that extending that support to everything that wasn't supported, and beyond VR, has great potential and value as a product. Although I wish this had been made easier without having to connect online to import Profiles, so as to always have support and not depend on a server to support this great feature in a future I hope never to see.

What was it like creating Audio Profiles?

Creating tacts for mods was interesting. I started by creating a complete effect… and in my projects, I saw that telemetry prevented me from using them like in a normal game. So, with the patience of the modders I collaborated with, I created micro effects, effects with millisecond paths that, in turn, worked with code to increase the time and intensity to give the greatest possible realism; making each slight change felt and not feeling a markedly flat effect. I think it's a fantastic experience.

What has been your favorite Audio Profile?

I fondly remember "Everslaught."

Why was it your favorite?

When I create Audio Profiles, I also contact the developer and shared it, encouraging them to add native support to the title if possible. In addition to being grateful, the developer quickly created excellent native support. So that gave me double satisfaction. My solution is great, but we also had the native version thanks to a wonderful developer. Another of many wonderful adventures.

Which of your Audio Profiles has been the most popular or the most well-received?

I think it was the one I made for Half-Life 2 VR. Although I've also made some for non-VR PC games like Helldivers 2 and God of War.

Did you think it would be like this when you created it?

Since I'd been "feeling" what I created for a while… yes. Although it always surprises.

What types of haptic events do you consider most important for immersion?

I prefer subtle ones. Working so much with Audio Profiles… makes me miss feeling climactic elements in some games like the wind against the side, or the rumble of feet and the bass of a vest when you hear a wall falling, and sometimes it doesn't have that effect if it's a cinematic. In general, I don't see audio as a rival to native audio, but rather as complementary and necessary.

What advice would you give to someone interested in creating Audio Profiles?

Try it and enjoy it.

Leave a message for those who download and enjoy your Audio Profiles!

Like them, I know they'll come with expectations or curiosity... May they be patient in preparing the mods or adjusting the volume to suit their Audio Profiles. Behind them lies an exciting treasure to be experienced, which I hope will be as exciting and warm as the effort put into creating it. It's a pleasure to share it together. Hugs.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I also need to thank Florian for not only initially creating Profiles like Asgar warth1, but also for contributing to mods like a master. And I'd also like to thank other fans who created Profiles in the early days, such as Tricks with Movie Profiles and others like Lollerobot, who tested PC Profiles I created using Quest Standalone and adapted them for their system. Fantastic people who make the community wonderful.