Are you or your company diving into VR? Katie Chironis, Game Designer with Oculus Rex reviews some handy ‘best practices’ to keep in mind when designing for virtual reality across mobile and PC (as well as advice on which to choose.) In the process. She also shares insights and case studies from titles produced by Oculus’ internal game development team. Presented as part of the VR-AR Track at Power of Play 2017 hosted by the Washington Interactive Network

1. 10TH ANNUAL VIDEO GAME AND INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT CONFERENCE
Presented by and
Katie Chironis
Game Designer
Oculus Rex
How to Prepare for
Making a Game in
Virtual Reality

2. Preparing to Make a Game
in VR
Katie Chironis
Oculus VR
katie.chironis@oculus.com
@katiechironis

3. Our Team

6. A Disclaimer
Nobody is an expert in VR, and anyone who claims to be is
selling you snake oil.

8. Why VR?
Many ideas and concepts don't translate directly to VR. To
produce something good will require extra time and resources.

11. What VR?
Is PC or mobile VR right for you?

12. Mobile VR
- Large userbase
- No positional
- Very limited input
- "Small bites" gameplay due to
device battery
- Lower-fidelity content the norm
PC VR
- Smaller userbase
- Tech hobbyist
- Tracked input & positional
- Longer gaming sessions normal
- High fidelity content expected

13. Simple is compelling.
Find a visceral sensation that defines the experience you want
players to have, and let it serve as a pillar for your project.
And always design in VR, not on paper!

17. Compelling "Starter" Sensations
- Vertigo
- Scale
- Persona (avatar presence)
- Body horror
- Eye contact
- Proximity
- Haptics
- Children's toys

18. Comfort is King.
Your dev team cannot know whether something is comfortable
or not. Ask users.

24. Info rarely "sticks" in VR.
Deliver critical feedback often and intelligently, but ultimately
relinquish control.

25. Headset
Player

29. The future is bright.

30. Thanks!
katie.chironis@oculus.com
@katiechironis