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Anonymous
October 2, 2015

Unity/Unreal VR Without A DK2..?

I want to start messing around with creating VR games and apps using the Unity and Unreal engines but I don't have a DK2. What are my options..?

I've ordered an Unofficial Cardboard 2.0 Plus from the States which should arrive during the next week or two, and have noticed several SDKs that are available for Unity - the Google Cardboard SDK, the Oculus SDK and the Steam SDK.

Now as far as I understand things the Steam VR SDK allows you to create games and apps for both the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive. Is that right..? So I could develop an app or game using the Steam VR SDK and it will work fine once both HMDs are released..?

Or have I got things wrong..?

I've also been looking at Trinus VR which allows you to play PC games using a smartphone and Google Cardboard-type headset.

So what would be my best bet? To develop these games using the Steam VR SDK and then use something like Trinus VR to test them..? Or is there some other way of doing things without having to fork out for a DK2?

Thanks in advance for any help! :D

    7 replies

    cybereality
    Inspiring
    October 2, 2015
    If you want to develop for the Rift, you'll really need the actual hardware. Though you can install the Runtime and use a Debug HMD type, you won't have head-tracking so it's of limited use.

    That said, there is still a lot of general game development you can get started on without having the headset. For example, creating art, coding logic, game design, etc. all can be done without hardware.
    AMD Ryzen 7 1800X | MSI X370 Titanium | G.Skill 16GB DDR4 3200 | EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 | Corsair Hydro H110i Gigabyte RX Vega 64 x2 | Samsung 960 Evo M.2 500GB | Seagate FireCuda SSHD 2TB | Phanteks ENTHOO EVOLV
    Anonymous
    October 2, 2015
    TrinusVR gives you head tracking, so there's no worries there.

    Have looked at the Steam VR forum and the only thing stopping you from using a Google Cardboard HMD rather than a recognisable HMD such as an Oculus/Vive/Gear VR headset is that you can't run anything without one connected. Someone on there is working with the devs to make things work without one.

    If this gets sorted out then we could see a game development explosion not seen in the industry since the 80s with the Speccy and Commodore 64. I'm still pissed off with one of my old school friends in the 80s. We decided to get together and write some stuff (I've always seen it as 'writing' rather than 'developing') and send it off to a publisher, one of those ones that did stuff like 50 game compilations. And of course I used his address. He told me that he didn't hear anything about it but all of a sudden he had a good amount of cash. I met up with him donkey's years ago and he admitted that he got sent 50 quid from them!!! :shock: :lol:
    loxai
    New Participant
    October 3, 2015
    You can use the Trinus library for Unity. This will let you add Trinus to your Unity project and test your VR development.
    There's a sample project with source code and instructions here: http://trinusvr.com/survival-shooter-for-trinusvr/
    Damian3395
    New Participant
    January 25, 2016
    I am currently trying to get a development kit for research purposes at Rutgers University, if anyone has more information on how to develop games with a DK2, please message me.
    blackant
    Up and Coming
    February 20, 2016
    Hello,

    i just pre ordered my oculus rift

    so i espect i don't need SDK2 only to develop on unity or unreal...

    is it possible to develop a game without sdk 2 and when i'll get my OR, will i be able to test my game with it, or will miss something ?
    B lackant Master Studio
    cybereality
    Inspiring
    February 21, 2016
    Yes, you can start development now, though to test it in VR you do need the hardware.
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    blackant
    Up and Coming
    February 21, 2016
    nice ! thanks
    B lackant Master Studio
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