This page outlines the basic stepping stones for developing for head-mounted displays (HMDs). Some guides on this page assumes you will be working with Meta Quest HMDs, though OpenXR-based guides do not make such an assumption. For guides working with Meta SDK, we assume you own a Meta Quest headset (2, 3, or Pro).

Note: Meta SDK vs OpenXR

Both the Meta SDK and OpenXR packages in Unity allow you to create VR experiences. However, note these major differences:

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Meta SDK

• Succeeds the now-unsupported Oculus Integrations package.
• Allows for unique functions compatible with only Meta’s systems, such as passthrough cameras and body/eye tracking.
• Restricts games to the Meta Quest systems only.
• Restricts you to using Unity’s in-built render pipeline; the Meta SDK is incompatible with Universal Render Pipeline (URP). </aside>

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OpenXR

• Allows for hardware-agnostic AR/VR games to be made - i.e. games made via OpenXR can be run on not just the Meta Quest systems but also for PCVR such as the HTC Vive or Valve Index.
• Is compatible with Unity’s Universal Render Pipeline (URP). </aside>

Based on these needs, choose your options widely. If you plan for hardware agnosticism and/or want some higher levels of customizability to your game’s implementation, use OpenXR; if you require some unique functions only available to the Meta Quest systems, use the Meta SDK.

Acknowledgements

This guide could not be possible without inspiration from online resources.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6polqxDd8aUb0DNaCbjgRdl5iRevrbFM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBQ_ps6e71k

Guides

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