What are some strategies for avoiding burnout when working on long-term VR projects?

Search for previous work! VR is in its fifth hype cycle and many things have been repeated over and over again including all the stupid mistakes. Both applications and research are extensively documented in the scientific literature so there are many important things to learn even from the early 90's! Don't reinvent the wheel and don't repeat stupid mistakes! Use google and google scholar and also try asking LLM's for advice (eg ChatGPT)!

- Chunk the project, celebrate wins: Break down the journey into achievable milestones, marking each one with a victory lap. Time ninja: Schedule breaks, delegate tasks, and use time management tools to stay focused and energized. - Feedback loop, passion boost: Share your work, embrace learning, and remember the positive impact your project will have. - Self-care superhero: Prioritize well-being, disconnect from tech, and recharge regularly. Remember, burnout is a villain, not a destiny. These strategies are your superpowers to conquer it and keep your VR flame burning bright.

Testing virtual reality applications can be very different than testing regular apps because of the novel UI and interactions. One suggestion is to fine tune the UX first with users so instead of holding back your development, it can actually accelerate it. Talking to users about the UX should also unlock other realistic product ideas that you would not have thought of otherwise.

Creativity is linked to what Lacan referred as "Todestriebe" or death drive, which is au-contraire, all the opossite, a never-ending force looking towards the re-creation ergo innovation. Therefore after the ideas are set, this should be clustered in order to avoid losing time with an unstable base-core; this does not mean that if some breaking ground information emerges while doing the process, you shouldn′t consider modifying some of those core ideas in the future. Realistic goals should also include the possibility to be flexible for the sake of the own project.

In my experience, it always payed off to work iteratively by breaking down large projects into feasibility studies and prototypes, instead of starting head-first into a complex project with many undefined variables and dependencies.

Es ist wie bei jedem Projekt ?? Du musst mit Deiner Energie haushalten, auch wenn Du noch so sehr arrangieren und begeistert bist. Für mich pers?nlich ist nach maximal 90 Minuten Schluss und ich setzte die VR Brille ab! Ich schaue in die Weite, gehe spazieren und und denke über das Erlebte nach. Da ich mich ausschliessen im Business Kontext in VR/XR bewege - Spielen in VR ist nicht meins.

Implementing the Pomodoro Technique, a time management method, can enhance focus and prevent burnout. Structuring work into focused intervals followed by short breaks helps maintain energy levels. Additionally, leveraging project management tools with built-in time-tracking features can provide insights into productivity patterns, facilitating adjustments for optimal efficiency.

Es ist voll OK die VR Brille mal für eine paar Tage beiseite zu legen, die Begeisterung kommt schon wieder, sonst würde man nicht mit diesem Medium arbeiten. Es kann auch helfen sich Inspiration zu holen und einfach mal andere VR Experiences auszuprobieren. Sei es im Store oder auf Messen sich mit anderen Enthusiasten auszutauschen

I use two types of methods when approaching a project. These help me avoid burnout. My main time management method is Timeboxing, it’s a method that involves allocating a fixed and predetermined amount of time to complete a task or activity. So after I made my task list, I choose a task based on priority. If I’m familiar with it I know something like this will take me this amount of time. I set that time for my goal and hammer it out. Once the time is up I check my progress make my reports and then take a break. Now my second method that I use on certain projects is more of a strategy than a method and it’s called EMS - Energy Mapping Strategy. Our energy levels flex a lot throughout the day so I pick tasks based on how I’m feeling.

Developing VR is bringing a real experience to the digital realm, so lots and lots of details will determine your grade of successful immersion and the level of your simulation

No prototype ever survives contact with a real user. Test early and fail fast to de-bias your work, even if it hurts or you feel like project "isn't ready yet" (see wireframes). Also, other people's approval will act as a catalyst for your motivation and thus progress on the project.

I recommend to my students that they seek feedback at an early stage of their projects. This process can begin with the initial discussion of their project's concept, assessing its suitability for virtual reality. Additionally, they should engage in early prototyping and testing of their project. This proactive approach of early feedback and testing ensures that the students can refine their ideas effectively, leading to more robust and viable virtual reality projects.

One of the worst things to cause burnout is just not seeing tangible results for your efforts. Frequent examples of work implemented and feedback on that work is so refreshing and is good for keeping enthusiasm high.

Finding a VR mentor could be challenging, but can be a valuable step in your VR journey. Here are some tips for finding a mentor: 1, Clarify your goals: Are you looking for a design mentor or a technical mentor? 2, Identify potential mentors: Look within your current network for potential mentors. This could include colleagues, supervisors, and industry professionals. My first VR mentor was my former colleague's former colleague. 3, Networking events: Attend VR events, conferences, workshops, and networking sessions. These provide opportunities to meet experienced VR professionals who may be willing to mentor you.

Be updated with clients' goals & and real use cases of the VR project. Getting end-user feedback on an ongoing basis will help. And, look, the immersive community is very small even now with a handful of experts so, taking feedback from ones who have made those experiences is highly recommended. Use Linkedin to upload part of experiences as much as you can to engage with peers and mentors. Write personal notes to folks and ask them for an independent view.

Introducing a structured innovation period within the project timeline encourages experimentation without affecting deadlines. Designating time specifically for learning new tools or attending relevant workshops ensures continuous skill development. Creating a shared knowledge repository within the team facilitates the exchange of insights from individual learning experiences, promoting collective growth.

Try new engine functions, you can always discover new ways of doing things more efficiently. Game Engines are incredibly complex, with lots of old and new tools that can save time and bring more dynamic content. We at Imagine Engine Studios, like to alternate between the technical development and the scene creation, free pressures of technical development with interior design and scene improvements that are always the main interface for the user.

Experimentieren und daraus lernen klappt am gesündesten in einer Community - "niemand ist alleine ein Team!" - "alleine lernen ist doof"

I'm passionate about the evolving VR space, offering endless opportunities to explore and learn. The dynamic nature keeps one alert, constantly seeking innovation. Remaining vigilant for emerging trends is crucial for improvement. Whether experimenting with a new game engine, navigating its learning curve, or enhancing spatial sound, the learning process is both exciting and enjoyable. Embracing these challenges not only keeps one on the cutting edge but also fuels personal growth. I highly recommend this continuous learning journey in the ever-evolving VR landscape

Learn the fundamentals and learn to play with even the most basic of tools, using creativity with basic tools can go a long way with lone term projects, especially when trying to produce good quality with limited budget or time.

Incorporating gamification elements into the project environment can inject an element of fun and competition. Recognizing achievements through a virtual "achievement board" or periodic team awards fosters a positive atmosphere. Additionally, regularly revisiting the project's overarching impact on the VR industry and end-users can reignite a sense of purpose and pride, preventing burnout.

Have fun, relish positive feedback, and use constructive criticism as a catalyst for improvement. Celebrate small victories, savoring each milestone. Consider building a community around your work—connecting with others amplifies the richness of your VR experience and contributes to the broader growth of the field.

Working on long-term VR projects, it’s crucial to remember to have fun and appreciate the journey. VR, at its core, is an immersive and enjoyable medium that not only amazes our audience but also us, the creators. To keep the passion burning, it's vital to relish the creative process, celebrate each milestone, and, as we say at HOLOGATE, 'smell the roses' along the way. Each project we undertake contributes to the broader narrative of VR's growth and potential. By valuing our work's impact, we maintain our enthusiasm and drive, ensuring we continue to innovate and inspire in the VR landscape

Most of the time, we get into developing and need to remember that we can enjoy the process. When I get into projects, I try to set a time to "try to break" the project. Here is what I mean: find time to test your project and find as many errors as possible. Down the road, you will find yourself enjoying the process and debugging your own project, lol! You cannot do that? Okay, find a similar project, play and enjoy, find errors, and avoid them in your project :)

We like to build things as real as possible to create an interactive environment where scenes, and content can be developed on the fly without the frustration of having to create new angles every time.

Establishing a rotating mentorship program within the VR team can provide varied perspectives and support professional growth. Sharing success stories or lessons learned in a centralized platform, like a team newsletter or virtual bulletin board, creates a sense of unity and shared accomplishment. Furthermore, scheduling regular team-building activities, even in a virtual space, strengthens interpersonal connections and mitigates the impact of isolation commonly associated with long-term projects.

To me, Virtual reality is by far the most used in training but with Quest3, I am looking at utilising this content in Mixed reality mode too. I think as a VR developer, considering building interaction with physical assets and moving upwards in the value chain is my suggestion to developers. Wishing you all good luck.

Zerlege das lange Projekt in kleinere Projekte / Sprints und rotiere einen Teil des Teams durch. Gilt für alle langfristigen Projekte. So bekommt man immer wieder neue Impulse ein ein Projekt.

When we started working on our project, we could never see the end coming. Fixing mini objectives gave us the chance to measure progress and keep motivated.

As we navigate the thrilling world of VR, it's important to pause and reflect on the incredible era we are part of. From the early days of virtual reality to the present, and looking towards a future bright with AI integration, we are living in a time of unprecedented innovation. At HOLOGATE, we embrace each moment, cherishing our journey through this rapidly evolving landscape. The potential of AI to enhance VR experiences is a testament to the limitless possibilities ahead. It's a reminder to appreciate the present while eagerly anticipating the future – a future where technology continually reshapes our understanding of what's possible.