How to become a virtual reality developer?
Virtual reality is pretty much the next big thing, as it has been for about 20 years till now. Being the “next big thing” from past two decades it just shows how much hype it has and how challenging it has been to make the virtual reality a practical reality. Most of the work falls on developers who are doing all they can with current and bleeding-edge technologies to push the envelope ever forward.
You can also be a virtual reality developer too, but only if it is truly what you’re looking for. Being a part of technology’s next big leap is an exciting prospect, but you must be able to actively contribute to it. The road to becoming a developer is something that one must be able to walk and stumble through without loss of eagerness upon reaching a milestone.
THE REQUIREMENTS
The foundation has to be as a developer first, whether you’re a programmer or a 3D artist. You must have the core skills needed to take the next step in getting into the virtual reality(VR). Experience with working in a team and working on projects is also a recommended qualification, one has to be comfortable working in such conditions. VR is fairly similar, but with more, unfamiliar and unusual hardware to deal with.
Creating 3D environments in a computer is the first thing, but making them for VR has its own set of obstacles, many from those are still being solved. The developers from other fields are also valuable as they can bring ideas and potential solutions from other perspectives. Whether it’s a film, architecture, engineering, interior design, or so on, each of these fields will be able to benefit from the origin of VR technology.
The very most important requirement is to have the desire to come up with totally fresh ideas and work on them enthusiastically.
STEPS TO BECOME A VIRTUAL REALITY DEVELOPER
Make a plan:
Plan out where you think things will go as you work. The very first step in the planning stage is usually to make a personal “code map.” Planning out for all the parts and pieces of a project before coding starts, it saves loads of time when the implementation phase rolls around. The major benefits of making an initial plan are mostly seen in the early stages of production.
Ask for the feedback:
Continuous feedback is the best way to make sure that the project is moving in the right direction. Try to get feedback and ask questions from your co-workers as often as possible, especially when you are treading into new programming territory. At the client level, project managers are very good about getting regular feedback from clients, which keeps everyone on the same page as you work. It saves you from a lot of reworking.
Engage the experts:
One of the best things in an organization is unlimited knowledge of fellow developers. Whenever you get stuck, first research the problem on your own for a bit but never afraid to ask for a help. Having the chance to learn and work with a great team of talented people working on awesome AR and VR projects has been, and continues to be an incredible experience.
SOME POPULAR EXAMPLES OF VR
Samsung Gear VR:
Samsung’s approach to VR has been quiet different: the Gear VR uses Oculus head-tracking technology in combination with Android smartphones such as Galaxy Note 4 to power mobile VR experiences. Instead of dedicated display technology, lenses allow the phone’s screen to act as a stereoscopic display, making the device simpler and less expensive than many other options.
Google Cardboard:
Google’s entry into VR came as a huge surprise during last year’s I/O conference. The Google Cardboard is a do-it-yourself (DIY) approach to mobile VR, is an enclosure for Android phones that can be built for less than twenty dollars. Several demos and games for the Cardboard SDK are already available on the Google Play store, and while the experience isn’t quite as immersive or ground-breaking as other organizations offerings, Google’s ad hoc Virtual Reality experiment shows a surprising amount of interest in even basic VR technology.
THE VERDICT
Becoming a virtual reality developer is more challenging and fascinating. Whatever the result may be, there are a whole lot of really smart people who are constantly working incessantly and trying to bring the virtual world into our peripheral vision.
Being a virtual reality developer, you always know that you’re changing the world for the future. That’s quite a reward in itself, and the journey is indeed a very interesting one.