What are the best tools and techniques for virtual and augmented reality game prototyping?

3 Start with paper prototypes

Paper prototyping is a low-cost and fast way to test your VR or AR game ideas, without coding or using complex tools. You can use paper, cardboard, pens, scissors, glue, and other materials to create mockups of your game elements, such as characters, environments, objects, menus, and interactions. You can also use stickers, magnets, or markers to simulate VR or AR effects, such as tracking, motion, or depth. Paper prototyping can help you validate your game concept, refine your gameplay mechanics, and get feedback from potential users.

4 Use digital prototypes

Digital prototyping is a more advanced and realistic way to test your VR or AR game ideas, using the tools you chose in the previous step. You can use these tools to create 3D models, animations, sounds, user interfaces, and scripts for your game elements, and integrate them into a playable prototype. You can also use these tools to simulate VR or AR features, such as headsets, controllers, cameras, sensors, or gestures. Digital prototyping can help you test your game performance, functionality, usability, and aesthetics, and iterate on your design based on the results.

5 Test with users

User testing is an essential step in VR and AR game prototyping, as it allows you to assess your game from the perspective of your target audience, and gain feedback and data to refine your game. There are various methods and tools you can use to carry out user testing, such as surveys, interviews, observations, and analytics. Surveys are online or offline questionnaires that query users about their preferences, opinions, and experiences with your game prototype. Interviews are one-on-one or group conversations that ask users open-ended questions about their thoughts and feelings about your game prototype. Observations involve watching and recording how users interact with your game prototype, while analytics involve collecting and analyzing quantitative data from your game prototype such as completion rates, playtime, errors, scores, or engagement.

6 Iterate and refine

The final step in VR and AR game prototyping is to iterate and refine your game based on the feedback and data you collected from user testing. You should identify the strengths and weaknesses of your game prototype, and prioritize the changes and improvements that will have the most impact on your game quality and user satisfaction. You should also repeat the prototyping and testing cycle until you reach a satisfactory level of polish and functionality for your game.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?