Starting Your VR Development Journey

If you clicked on this video, chances are you’re embarking on your VR development journey. Maybe you’ve already set up your first project, but before writing a single line of code, you’re facing several important decisions: which game engine to use, which VR headset to buy, how to code the SDK you need. As a VR developer with five years of experience, I know how confusing and demotivating this can be. This article will cover all the fundamentals you need, from making your first project to becoming a more advanced VR developer. I’m Valem, and you’re here on my second YouTube channel, Valem Tutorials, dedicated to helping you learn about VR development.

What is Virtual Reality?

Virtual reality is an immersive experience in a virtual and interactable environment. This definition contains the three fundamentals of VR: immersion, environment, and interaction. These are the three goals you must keep in mind as a VR developer.

Immersion: Choosing Your VR Headset

The current state of VR utilizes headsets, which vary in price, resolution, field of view, refresh rate, and more. As a VR developer, consider these factors:

1. Degree of Freedom:
   • 3 Degrees of Freedom (3DOF): You can only rotate your head (e.g., Oculus Go, Pico G2, Google Cardboard).
   • 6 Degrees of Freedom (6DOF): You can rotate and move your head (e.g., Quest 2).
2. Standalone vs. PC-Connected:
   • Standalone: Runs on its own (e.g., Quest 2).
   • PC-Connected: Requires a computer (e.g., connected via USB-C cable).
3. Headset-Specific Features:
   • Grip Controllers: Allows more immersive grabbing (e.g., Valve Index).
   • Hand Tracking and Passthrough: Interaction without controllers (e.g., Quest 2).

The Quest 2 stands out due to its specific features, ability to function as both standalone and PC-connected, and overall versatility.

Environment and Interaction: Choosing a Game Engine

A game engine handles all aspects of a game, such as physics and graphics, allowing you to join interaction and environment. As a beginner, using an existing game engine like Unreal or Unity is highly recommended.

1. Unreal Engine: Known for its high-quality graphics and visual scripting.
2. Unity: Offers a large community and extensive resources for problem-solving.

Personally, I use Unity for my projects due to its supportive community and extensive resources. Both engines are valid options for your first project.

Utilizing Software Development Kits (SDKs)

SDKs are collections of tools to handle your VR headset and its interactions. For Unity, the official SDKs are:

1. Oculus Integration: Targets Meta VR headsets with features like passthrough, hand tracking, and meta avatars.
2. SteamVR: Initially favored for advanced VR interactions but has not been updated recently.
3. Unity XR Interaction Toolkit: A cross-platform SDK offering basic interactions like grabbing and teleportation.
4. Mixed Reality Toolkit (MRTK): Designed for Microsoft devices but now compatible with Quest.

For beginners, the Unity XR Interaction Toolkit is recommended due to its simplicity and cross-platform capabilities.

Becoming a Better Developer

To improve your VR development skills, consider the following:

1. Follow Tutorials: Utilize resources and tutorials to guide your development.
2. Join Game Jams: Participate in game developer competitions to challenge yourself and generate new project ideas.

FAQs

1. What is virtual reality (VR)?
   • VR is an immersive experience in a virtual and interactable environment, encompassing immersion, environment, and interaction.
2. Which VR headset is recommended for beginners?
   • The Quest 2 is highly recommended due to its specific features, ability to function as both standalone and PC-connected, and overall versatility.
3. Which game engine should I use for VR development?
   • Both Unreal Engine and Unity are valid options, but Unity is recommended for its supportive community and extensive resources.
4. What are SDKs in VR development?
   • SDKs are collections of tools to handle VR headset interactions. Official SDKs for Unity include Oculus Integration, SteamVR, Unity XR Interaction Toolkit, and MRTK.
5. How can I improve my VR development skills?
   • Follow tutorials and participate in game jams to challenge yourself and generate new project ideas.