How to Design a Simple VR Game

Creating virtual reality (VR) games can seem intimidating, but even beginners can design a simple VR experience with the right guidance. VR games are designed to be played using headsets, offering immersive 3D environments, but developing one often requires learning new tools and software. This guide will walk you through the basics of creating a simple VR game using Unity, one of the most popular game engines for VR development. 

“The more coding and VR game development you do, the better you get at it,” said Luke Kerns, a local VR developer. 

 The Basics and Starting Your Project 

To start, you need a game engine that supports 3D projects. Most developers use Unity, though Unreal Engine is also an option. For this guide, Unity will be used. It is recommended to use a version from 2021 to 2023, as it contains all the features required for this tutorial. 

1. Open Unity and create a new project using the 3D render pipeline. 

2. Wait for the project to load completely before moving to the next steps. 

Adding VR Compatibility to Your Game 

Next, you need to enable VR support, which can be complex for beginners: 

1. In Unity, click Edit → Project Settings, then select Player Settings. 

2. Click Window → Package Manager. Change the dropdown from “In Project” to Unity Registry. 

3. Search for ProBuilder and install it. 

4. Search for XR Plugin Management and install OpenXR. 

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This will set up your project for VR testing, but at this point, your player may not be able to move. 

Fixing Movement Issues 

To add a movement system, you can use a simple free solution from GitHub called GorillaLocomotion. This system allows movement using just your hands, simulating VR locomotion without legs: 

1. Import GorillaLocomotion into your project and drag it into your scene. 

2. Next, you need a map to move around on. Click Tools → ProBuilder Window to open the building interface. 

Making a Simple Map 

To create a basic map for your VR environment: 

1. In the Hierarchy, right-click → ProBuilder → Plane. A plane will appear with a collider and renderer automatically applied. Resize it as desired. 

2. To add walls, select the edge selection tool (yellow line icon), click each edge, hold Shift, and drag the green arrow upward. The walls will automatically include colliders. 

Texturing and Playtesting 

Texturing improves the visual quality of your game: 

1. Add your desired image to the Texture 2D folder. 

2. Right-click → Create → Material to create a new material. 

3. Drag your image into the Albedo slot. Adjust Smoothness and Metallic as desired. 

4. Apply the material to your map. To texture specific faces, select them using the Face Selection Tool in ProBuilder and drag the material onto them. 

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Once texturing is complete, you can playtest your VR game. As you gain experience, you can expand your skills by writing scripts, creating player models, and designing more complex environments. 

Developing even a simple VR game teaches important skills in coding, design, and spatial reasoning.

Developing even a simple VR game teaches important skills in coding, design, and spatial reasoning. Starting with Unity and basic tools like ProBuilder and GorillaLocomotion provides a foundation for more advanced projects in the future. As Luke Kerns notes, consistent practice and development will improve your VR game creation skills over time.