Dec 15
Where to Start in Virtual Reality

I Want To Develop VR Games, Where Do I Start?

For game development (and most apps), the categories of tasks are as follows:

  • Design
  • Coding
  • Art
  • User Interface
  • Sound

Arguably, there are more tasks, such as testing and bug fixing, but these are the staples of development. The level of difficulty for each task will vary widely depending on the type of game/app you are trying to create (an exploration game might require a lot of Art and Design).

There are resources online to teach you these skills, but sometimes the best way to learn is to figure it out as you go. Especially with design. It is hard to teach design, as much of it is theory, and arguably the best way to become a better designer is to simply design a game (this can be done with paper and pencil, no software required).

Developing VR Games

As for the engine,

Unity3D and Unreal Engine 4 are both available for free and provide a platform robust enough for most independent game developers and even some AAA companies. They are well-documented engines so there are plenty of official and non-official sources of information online. Unity3D uses C# and JavaScript, whereas the Unreal Engine uses Blueprints, a node-based visual programming tool based in C++.

For art,

most VR games will require 3D models. These can be purchased and downloaded online from a source such as the Unity Asset Store or Turbosquid, or you can make them yourself. Some popular software for 3D modelling includes: Blender, Maya, 3DS Max, and Zbrush for detailed faces and textures.
For more information on developing VR apps, check out: A beginner’s guide to developing virtual reality apps | Crew Blog

That’s all for this week. Good luck to all of the future VR developers out there. We would love to see your projects once you’ve finished them!

 

Until Next Time,

-TJ

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Evara VR's social media content creator and manager