Fast XR Dev Lessons Part 1: Setup Your Project & Plan an Achievable Scope!
Welcome to Part 1 of our XR development journey!
In this post, I’ll be sharing key takeaways from my recent session:
“Fast Essentials: Setup Your Project & Plan an Achievable Scope” — a practical guide for turning an XR idea into something you can actually finish and publish.
Mixed Reality (MR) and Virtual Reality (VR) development can be overwhelming… new tools, spatial computing concepts, scene understanding, multiplayer, locomotion, input systems — and before we know it, scope explodes. This guide helps you avoid that trap and build smarter.
If you’ve ever started a VR project that never shipped, this is for you.
Why This Matters: The Core Goal
The mission is simple:
Go from idea → plan → playable MVP → something you can publish.
Instead of feature soup, we focus on a small, testable, end-to-end experience that can grow after launch.
This approach is used across top Meta Horizon titles and is especially critical for small indie teams and solo developers.
💡 Step 1 – IDEATION: Start With a Spark
Great XR projects begin with concepts that are:
✨ Fun
✨ Clever
✨ Emotionally strong
✨ Easy to explain in 30s
Before building:
✔ Check similar apps on the Meta Horizon Store
✔ Understand what works
✔ Spot what you can do better or differently
If you see a gap or an improvement opportunity, that is your first green light.
Tip: I generate quick concept visuals using ChatGPT + Gemini/Banana to imagine tone and characters.
Step 2 – Ask: Can this idea grow forever?
A successful XR concept must be Forever Updatable:
Can you add later without redesigning the whole game?
Examples of expandable updates:
- new maps/rooms/environments
- new challenges or props
- cosmetics, skins, power-ups
- community-driven content
Players don’t play your game.
They play your updates.
If you cannot imagine new content in 3 months, rethink the idea.
Step 3 – Scope the MVP: Build What You Can Actually Ship
Your MVP should be:
✔ Playable end-to-end
✔ Testable weekly
✔ Explainable in 30 seconds
The MVP Formula:
- One Map
- One Tool/Ability
- One Obstacle/Challenge
- Complete loop: Load → Play → End → Restart
If you can’t prototype it in a weekend, the scope is still too big. Cut features. Then cut again. ✂️
Step 4 – Create a Lightweight GDD (Game Design Document)
Keep it simple and editable. A living document.
Recommended sections:
| GDD Element | Purpose |
|---|---|
| High Concept | One-sentence pitch |
| Core Loop | What players do repeatedly |
| Player Character | Who are they in this world? |
| Chaos Layer | The unpredictable fun/VR magic |
| Progression | What keeps players coming back |
| Social Hub | (Optional) if XR social features |
| Art & Style | Visual identity |
| Tech Specs | Quest, PCVR, MR features |
| Monetization | Cosmetic? DLC? Battle pass? |
Change it fast. Don’t over-engineer it.
Final Thoughts
Whether you're building VR, MR, or full spatial apps:
- Start small
- Test fast
- Publish sooner
- Grow forever
💬Join the Discussion! Reply with your thoughts:
What XR idea would YOU scope into a small MVP?
What part of scoping do you struggle with most?
Want a downloadable Notion GDD template?
I’d love to see your concepts.
— Tevfik
Meta Horizon Start Mentor
