Gorilla Tag

In the burgeoning landscape of virtual reality, few games have achieved the organic, viral success of Gorilla Tag. Developed by Another Axiom (originally a solo project by Kerestell "Lemming" Smith), this unique VR title has redefined movement in virtual spaces, turning the simple act of locomotion into a thrilling, physically engaging game of tag. Launched in early access in February 2021 and officially released in December 2022 (Meta Quest) and January 2023 (SteamVR), with a PlayStation VR2 release in November 2024, Gorilla Tag has amassed over 10 million players and generated over $100 million in revenue by June 2024, proving that sometimes, the most innovative experiences come from the simplest ideas.

Reject Humanity, Return to Monke: The Genesis of a Movement (Development & Concept)

Kerestell Smith began prototyping Gorilla Tag in December 2019, inspired by VR locomotion that allowed avatars to reach the ground with their hands. He sought to create a game that felt truly "full dive," where movement wasn't abstracted by joysticks or teleportation, but felt embodied and natural. The result was a minimalist yet revolutionary system: players control legless gorilla-like avatars by using their real-world hand and arm movements to push off surfaces and swing through the environment.

Physics-Driven Fun: The Core Locomotion

The brilliance of Gorilla Tag lies in its physics-driven locomotion. There are no buttons for jumping or moving forward; instead, players propel themselves by pushing off the ground or walls with their virtual hands. This intuitive yet challenging system requires players to learn and master techniques like "running" by swinging arms parallel to the ground, "pinch climbing" up walls by grabbing and pushing, and "wall climbing" by bouncing between angled surfaces. This active, physical gameplay is exhilarating, quickly becoming second nature and providing an unparalleled sense of freedom and momentum in VR. The low-poly art style, reminiscent of early PlayStation graphics, and the intentional absence of traditional tutorials or menus, further immerse players directly into the chaotic playground.

The Jungle's Call: Game Modes and Maps

Gorilla Tag offers a variety of game modes that build upon its core tag mechanics, alongside diverse maps that encourage dynamic and vertical movement.

Modes of Mayhem: How to Play Tag Like a Gorilla

The game features several main game modes, accessible via computer terminals in the game's main hub:

• Casual: A non-competitive social mode where players can simply hang out, chat, explore the maps, or create their own mini-games. This is the heart of the game's social appeal.
• Infection: The primary competitive mode. One "lava monke" (infected player) starts. Any uninfected player tagged by a lava monke also becomes a lava monke. The game continues until all players are infected, then resets. This creates intense chases and desperate evasions.
• Hunt: A more targeted tag experience. Each of the up to four players is assigned a secret "target" to hunt. Tagging your target turns them into an "ice monke" (slowing them down), making them easier for their own hunter to catch. The goal is to tag your target while avoiding your own hunter.
• Paintbrawl: A team-based mode where players use slingshots to shoot paintballs at opponents. Each player has three "balloons" representing health; losing all balloons eliminates them. Eliminated players can still slow down opponents.
• Freeze Tag: Infected players (ice monkes) freeze others by tagging them. Frozen players can be unfrozen by non-infected players hitting them, adding a rescue mechanic.
• Guardian: One player becomes a large "Guardian" and must defend a meteor from other players, who try to tap it last to become the next Guardian.
• Ambush: Similar to Infection, but tagged players (ambush monkes) become invisible, allowing for stealthy pursuits.
• Ghost Tag: A Halloween-themed variant where "ghosts" (tagged players) are invisible except to other ghosts, adding a layer of eerie evasion and jumpscares.

Lush Locales: The World of Gorilla Tag

The game features several distinct maps, each with unique topography and routes designed for arm-based traversal:

• Forest: The main lobby and a classic map with trees, platforms, and rock walls.
• Canyons: Characterized by rugged terrain, concrete formations, and ziplines.
• Caves: Dark, winding passages with large crystals and rock pillars.
• City: A central social hub with a multi-floor mall for cosmetics, an obstacle course, and connections to other maps.
• Mountains: Features icy terrains and thrilling slides that challenge movement.
• Clouds: A whimsical, airy environment high above the ground with gliders and wind-powered elevators.
• Basement: An eerie map with interactive elements like a maze and glass chambers.

These diverse environments ensure that players are constantly finding new ways to run, climb, and swing, keeping the gameplay fresh.

Dressing the Ape: Monetization and Customization

Gorilla Tag is free-to-play, relying on optional in-app purchases for cosmetics, allowing players to personalize their "monke" avatars.

Shiny Rocks and Stylish Looks

The game's monetization primarily revolves around cosmetic items, purchased with an in-game currency called "Shiny Rocks." Players can acquire Shiny Rocks through gameplay or by using real money. These cosmetics include hats, sunglasses, clothing, gloves, and held items, allowing players to express their unique style and stand out in the crowded lobbies. The "City" map features a bustling virtual mall where players can browse, try on, and purchase these items, contributing to the game's thriving player-driven economy. By focusing solely on aesthetics, Gorilla Tag maintains a fair playing field, ensuring that skill, not spending, determines success.

The Jungle's Rules: Community and Moderation

Gorilla Tag is renowned for its vibrant, if sometimes chaotic, community. As a voice-chat driven multiplayer game with a large young audience, moderation is a critical aspect.

A Lively, Evolving Community

The community is highly active, with players forming teams, developing advanced movement techniques ("movement tech"), and creating their own mini-games within the existing maps. The game's reliance on word-of-mouth and social media (especially TikTok) for its initial boom highlights the strong organic growth driven by player engagement. While known for its lively and sometimes boisterous atmosphere, the developers at Another Axiom are committed to fostering a positive environment.

Proactive Moderation for a Safer Play Space

Recognizing the challenges of managing live voice chat in VR, Another Axiom has partnered with leading brand safety platforms like GGWP and Arise for robust moderation. This multi-layered approach includes:

• Proactive AI Moderation: AI tools analyze voice and text communication for offensive behavior.
• Human Moderation: A dedicated, paid team of human moderators works 24/7 to review reports, address issues, and provide support, ensuring nuanced decision-making beyond what AI can achieve.
• Parent-Managed Accounts: For younger players (under 13, per Meta/Sony guidelines), specific safety features are enforced:
  • "Monkey noises" only: Children's voices are replaced with generic monkey sounds for other players, preventing the transmission of their actual voice data.
  • Anonymity: Children are assigned randomly generated names (e.g., "GORILLA1234") and cannot see other players' real names.
  • No text chat/purchases: Children cannot type in chat or make in-game purchases.
• Player Muting & Reporting: Players can mute others from an in-game board, and a robust reporting system allows users to flag problematic behavior, with context considered to prevent mass reporting abuse.
• Strict Ban Policies: Aggressive, escalating bans are issued for code of conduct violations, including IP bans for repeat offenders, ensuring a strong deterrent against toxic behavior.

These measures aim to create a safe and fun environment for Gorilla Tag's diverse player base.

Final Verdict: Leap Into the Unconventional

Gorilla Tag is more than just a VR game; it's a testament to the power of intuitive design and player-driven experiences. Its deceptively simple premise — playing tag as a gorilla by swinging your arms — unlocks a profoundly physical, engaging, and social VR experience. The unique locomotion system is a game-changer, transforming basic movement into a skill to be mastered, providing endless opportunities for exhilarating chases, daring escapes, and creative parkour. While the game's open voice chat can sometimes lead to chaotic or even challenging interactions (which the developers are actively addressing with robust moderation), its core loop of competitive tag, social exploration, and constant physical activity is undeniably addictive. The free-to-play model, supported by purely cosmetic purchases, ensures accessibility for all, fostering a massive and dedicated community. Gorilla Tag proves that VR doesn't need complex control schemes or hyper-realistic graphics to deliver immersive fun. It’s a raw, unadulterated dose of joy and physical engagement that invites players to reject conventional controls and embrace their inner primate. If you own a VR headset, Gorilla Tag is an essential download, a unique and unforgettable experience that captures the pure, untamed fun of virtual reality.