How do you make VR apps work on all platforms?

1 Choose a cross-platform engine

One of the first steps to make your VR apps work on all platforms is to choose a game engine that supports cross-platform development. A game engine is a software framework that provides tools and features for creating and running games and interactive applications. Some of the most popular game engines for VR are Unity, Unreal Engine, and Godot. These engines have built-in support for various VR platforms and devices, as well as plugins and SDKs that can help you integrate specific functionalities and optimize performance. Using a cross-platform engine can save you time and effort, as you can reuse most of your code and assets across different platforms.

2 Test and debug on multiple devices

Another important step to make your VR apps work on all platforms is to test and debug them on multiple devices. Testing and debugging are essential processes to ensure that your VR apps work as intended, without errors, glitches, or crashes. However, testing and debugging VR apps can be more complex and challenging than testing and debugging regular apps, as you have to consider factors such as motion sickness, comfort, immersion, and interaction. Moreover, you have to test and debug your VR apps on different devices, as each device may have different specifications, features, and limitations. For example, some devices may have higher or lower resolution, refresh rate, field of view, tracking system, input method, battery life, or storage capacity. These factors can affect the performance, quality, and usability of your VR apps. Therefore, you should test and debug your VR apps on multiple devices, using tools such as emulators, simulators, or remote debugging.

3 Follow best practices and guidelines

For your VR apps to work on all platforms, you should follow best practices and guidelines for VR development. These recommendations and standards can help you create compatible, accessible, and enjoyable apps for users. When designing, keep in mind different levels of VR experience, from beginner to expert. Additionally, provide clear and consistent feedback and instructions to users. To prevent motion sickness or discomfort, avoid sudden or excessive movements, rotations, or changes in scale. Optimize your apps for performance, quality, and stability, while using appropriate UI elements such as gaze, gesture, or voice input. Adapt your apps to different screen sizes, orientations, and aspect ratios. Finally, consider the accessibility and diversity of your users when creating your app. By following these steps, you can make your VR apps work on all platforms and deliver amazing experiences to your users.

4 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?