“Yo dawg, I heard you like VR games…”
A VR developer by the name of Quentin Valembois, aka Valem, is quickly becoming known for his experimental projects involving immersive technology. Whether it be turning his home into a location-based horror game or designing a VR sports experience using an actual bicycle, there appears to be no limit to this developer’s creative imagination.
That said, his most recent endeavor might be his most ambitious to date. Valembois recently spent 24 hours in VR building an original VR game from the ground up using a unique combination of VR software and a whole lot of finesse.
In a video posted to his YouTube channel, the developer guides us through his experience developing a VR game in 24 hours, detailing how and why the project came to life. According to Valembois, every step of the process, from conceptualization to coding, was done entirely in-headset.
He began by sketching out his initial ideas using the virtual whiteboard located in Horizon Workrooms, Meta’s VR co-working platform. Once he had a rough idea of the type of game he was going to make—a simplistic hang-glider simulator—he then switched to the 3D modeling app Shapes XR and began designing the in-game world.
From here it was a matter of trial and error as Valembois juggled both world design and coding. At one point he was even joined by a friend in VR who assisted him with some last-minute adjustments to the environment. In order to program the game while in VR, Valem returned to Horizon Workrooms where he was able to access his IRL computer while remaining in-headset.
One of the last steps was sound design, for which Valem turned to Virtuoso, a unique music-making app that lets you compose original songs using an assortment of digital instruments built from the ground up for VR.
24 hours after beginning the ambitious project, Valem was left with a “finished” VR game complete with an interactive hang-glider, multiple environmental elements, and original music. The game, while simple, is a testament to what’s possible using modern-day VR technology.
Those interested can download and play the game here. You can find a number of other unique projects from Valembois by visiting his YouTube channel. If you like what you see, consider donating to his official Patreon.
Image Credit: Valem