It is usual now that the world is bound to see many updates in the platforms of development for anything related to mobile, computers, or gaming.
While we discuss game development, we see there is a different type of craziness spread for virtual reality games over the globe.
People of all ages are so much involved in these games that they kill hours playing these games and yet can’t get plenty of it.
Thus, from a summary, we can say that it will stay longer with us, and there is a vast future scope in the field of virtual reality game development.
So, if you are an emerging developer grabbed in confusion of where to go and which way to pick or a game development company wondering if you can bring advanced progress in the graphs of your progress, this is no late to consider starting with Virtual Reality Game Development.
The top tips to help you with getting started with Virtual Reality Game Development in 2019:
1. Tool Understanding
Understanding the necessity of the tools used is the primary step in starting with any development project, particularly when you are preparing to develop a game in virtual reality.
There are two most important tools to start and must have while developing a Virtual Reality Game.
The most comfortable to use and the most commonly used tool is our very own well-renowned Unity 3D.
The next one coming as our hero and aid us for the best of Virtual Reality Game Development is the Unreal Engine.
These tools, originally, were quite different from each other; however, with time, they changed a lot in their ways and now leaving no notable differences.
2. Know Your Programming Language
Because virtual reality game development has got many tools and platforms, we need to learn the appropriate programming languages to be able to use these tools efficiently.
If we are applying Unity 3D as a tool for development, the language of coding to use will be C#.
While for the Unreal Engine, you need to use C++ and Visual Programming Language.
The reason that these tools have different programming languages to use is they play well for different characteristics.
3. Choose The Gaming Device
Interestingly, Virtual Reality Games come individually for different devices.
If you want to develop a game for a mobile phone, computer or a VR box, you need to decide before as every device has its base.
Thus here, we discuss which types of devices support virtual reality games.
– Mobile Phones – Android and iOS
– Gear VR with specific Samsung mobile devices
– Oculus Go with embedded display and external motion controls
– For Computer games
– HTC Vive
– Oculus
4. Get The Kits required for Software Development
Every software has different guidelines for development and therefore, various software development kits, too.
Thus, when we decide which device we think to develop the game for, we get the idea of the software that will give the foundation to our game.
So, we discuss here which software development kit will work best for which device-
– GVR Development Kit (Google Virtual Reality Development Kit) for Mobile Phones (Android and iOS)
– Oculus SDK for Gear VR and Oculus Go, and computer games
– Viewport SDK for HTC Vive
5. Plan The Game Type
Once you got all the tools, you require to choose the concept of the game you want to build.
Every thought will have a different story and require a different atmosphere.
The story will have a different type of characters and hence, will demand a different kind of graphics and effects.
Hence, the type of tools, languages, SDK, and device you will have to use depends on your game’s concept.
Thus, you need to plan the story and concept of the game very carefully to avoid further confusion.
6. Performance Optimization
Once you complete developing a portion of your game or developed some functions and features in your game, you need to monitor its performance.
You need to make sure that on every stage of development, the performance of the game is very smooth.
Hence, you need to keep a check on the performance of your game and optimize it to make it smoother at each stage, in every function and control.
7. Test To Its Best
Once you finish developing the VR game at your end, get it examined from an expert tester.
Follow the rules for both – Alpha Testing and Beta Testing. Only by testing, you will get the idea of where it is lacking, and you need to update its features or improve its functionalities or smooth operability.
In a nutshell, you cannot skip the step of testing your game before launching it to use.
8. Publishing Platforms
For every device, there is a separate game publishing platform. It is very apparent, though because most of the tools and basics are different for virtual reality game development.
Here, we have discussed the names of the platforms one can publish their virtual reality game concerning particular devices –
– Google Play Store – VR Game for Android
– Apple App Store – VR Game for iPhones
– Oculus App Store – VR Games for Gear VR and Oculus Go
– Steam – VR Games for Computer
9. Refer SDK Document
No matter how intelligent and expert we are, we get stuck with things at times. Particularly when it is Virtual Reality Game Development, we can surely get stuck with some of the commands for certain features.
Hence, it is advisable to inform the chosen SDK’s reference document.
The reference document is maintained, and there it is mentioned about each and everything a developer would need.
Thus, whenever you feel that you can’t move forward, you can quickly refer to the SDK reference document and get the answer of all your queries.
10. Keep Yourself Calm And Persevere
Getting started with Virtual Reality Game Development needs a lot of patience and hard work.
Whether you are a game developer or a game development company, you need to keep your calm through the thick and thin till the time your game completes getting developed.
You need to continue with the development since it is a long method and calmly focus on each element to give it the best effect and excellent performance ability.
