How can you use programming languages to create engaging VR experiences for all ages?

Surely there are many different VR development platforms but in my opinion, we should first list out all the features that are required and wanted in the VR app and choose the one VR platform that provides most of those features without much complex work. In one of my apps, I needed all the features of the Presence platform like Passthrough, Hand interaction, Scene understanding, and others after listing out all the features of the VR app I was creating I chose the Oculus Platform. Surely we can build many of the features from scratch but I think if many of the features are already given then it would save much of our time which we can use to enhance our app further.

Certainly, selecting the right platform is crucial and closely tied to the desired complexity and graphical quality. Utilizing the Unreal Engine for your applications is a strategic choice. Starting with a clear platform selection from the outset allows you to align the graphical level with the hardware capabilities, enabling efficient programming that optimizes performance and delivers the intended visual experience.

Well selecting a programming language solely depend on which platform you are using like if you are familiar with Unity you would most likely to use the C# or which VR app you are creating like if you are creating out WebXR app, you would be using Javascript as these languages would help you develop quickly and you would find many great resource to use. Furthermore, In my opinion in XR field one should have a good knowledge of VR development more than the programming language because we don't need to write much of the custom code as many of the stuff are already provided to us, unlike game development.

In Unity development for VR, developers rely on more than just coding. They need to be familiar with essential Unity packages specific to VR development, such as the XR Interaction Toolkit. Additionally, utilizing version control systems like Github is important for effective team collaboration or showcasing one’s projects on Github.

Something to consider here is that VR development is not solely limited to programming languages; even without coding skills, one can prototype effectively. For instance, experimenting with Blueprints provides a visual scripting approach as an alternative to C++. Similarly, exploring the XR Interaction Toolkit in Unity is beneficial for those unfamiliar with C#. These tools offer comparable results, making VR more accessible and adopted by individuals who may not be proficient in coding. Furthermore, they are continuously evolving, contributing to the democratization of VR development and expanding its accessibility to a broader audience.

This really boils down to what you're trying to build: ?? If you're wanting something web-based and easily accessible through a browser (Great for phone-based VR like Google Cardboard), then you'll be using JavaScript with the A-Frame or 3JS libraries. ?? If you're looking to run experiences on proper XR headsets (Quest, Hololense, etc), you'll want to use something like Unity or Unreal. In that case you'll be using C# or C++ to build your experience.

Unity and C# (in parallel with Unity) is a great introductory platform for beginners and more experienced users. Considering there is the 3-D aspect to learn, all of this can be directly employed within Unity, and new users don't even need to start with anything complex. For example, they can start with a VR shooter game using a single rectangular cube attached to a hand, and a sphere as a projectile (bullet) spawning from the cube. Then, program their interactivity using C# programming language. With Unity and C#, the barrier of entry is much more straightforward compared to other platforms. Development with Unreal (C++/Blueprints) and for the Web (JS,WebXR/Three.JS) may take a little longer to get comfortable with.

One of the problems that I usually meet when adding scenes is material mismatch. It’s frustrating as sometimes solutions might be like creating new material, rendering, or just removing the URP all together. One thing that I realized that if the assets were created in Blender, usually there are no problems. Another thing, sometimes some VR platforms do not support URP. Therefore, it’s better to ask when developing for a VR platform.

If you're just staring out with VR development, and you're looking to have solid control of your audio: just use Unity! It has great built-in tools to let you control the location and intensity of your in-experience audio. The best part is that you can build your entire experience in unity, with no need to hunt for a third-party VR audio system.

Airlink is a very effective solution for VR testing in Unity. But my laptop does not support it, so initially it consumed a lot of my development time to build and test on the real device as I could not use an Emulator as the features I was using are not supported on emulators. Later I tried out and found some steps to debug the stuff fast on the machine itself. So for that, I used Built-in buttons and tried to replicate the real scenario with buttons. For example, if I wanted to test out the Snapping mechanism, what I did is I read the snap interactable code of Oculus Integration and replicated it with my custom function which is triggered with Button input, and as I got the desired result I built the app and deploy to real one.

Airlink offers a highly effective solution for VR testing in Unity. My students frequently use Oculus Airlink with a cable and find it user-friendly. Personally, I utilize Airlink's wireless feature and have encountered no issues. However, it's important to note that Airlink is not supported on Mac laptops ??, necessitating developers to use Unity's build feature instead. A common pitfall for beginners is the oversight of installing Android Build Support, or enabling OpenXR and Oculus. Neglecting to do either often leads to challenges when they begin testing their VR scenes.

Many VR SDKs comes with great examples projects. Don't forget to test them before start of development, they contains very inspiring solutions.

If you don't have access to PCVR you could use Meta's XR simulator for Unity, which let's you simulate VR movement using your keyboard and mouse

Before engaging in the study of the optimal environment and VR experience, it is necessary to optimize the tool, which is in our case the VR headset. It must feel natural to wear like a pair of glasses or a hat, very lightweight and comfy. All my VR experiences, felt unnatural and not fully immersive even though the virtual worlds were fascinating. As a result, it is optimal to optimze the portal in order to reach the optimal experience.

Before undertaking the aforementioned steps, it is advisable to first analyze and study similar VR experiences and engage with VR games to acquaint oneself with various techniques, interactions, game mechanics, UI etc. Additionally, prominent VR developers like Valem offer valuable resources such as source code and video tutorials for VR developers on platforms like Patreon and YouTube. For troubleshooting and other queries, forums like Reddit and Stack Overflow are excellent resources for seeking advice and solutions.