How to Become an Oculus Developer in 4 Steps

Oculus is an industry leader in the virtual reality (VR) space [1]. In addition to its powerful hardware, the Oculus platform is home to some of the most popular VR games on the market, such as Beat Saber, Budget Cuts, Blade, and Sorcery. With Developer Mode, you can share your VR content with millions of Oculus users worldwide [2]. This article includes a step-by-step guide for creating and publishing your own VR application on the Oculus platform—with no experience required. 

What does an Oculus developer do?

An Oculus developer is a virtual reality developer. VR developers use computer technology to create simulated digital environments. They design, develop, and test VR software. Consumers then use headset devices like Oculus to explore these environments. Typical duties of a VR developer include:

• Coding: VR developers use 3D programming engines. Various programming languages like JavaScript, C++, and C# power these engines.

• 3D modelling: 3D modelling is used in computer graphics to represent real-world objects. A VR developer may use 3D modelling to generate environmental elements, special effects, or character animations.

• Digitalisation: Digitalisation is converting information into a digital format. It converts text, audio, and visual elements like pictures and videos into forms that computers can process.

• Designing: VR developers enhance the experience of their virtual environments through audio and graphic design. 

Relevant skills for Oculus developers

Technical proficiency is one of the most important skills for Oculus developers. Each of the responsibilities above requires the use of software development tools. For example, many Oculus developers use Unity to build, test and publish content on Oculus Home. Additional relevant skills include:

• Project management capabilities

• Problem-solving skills

• Creativity

• Adaptability

Can anyone become an Oculus developer?

The Oculus for Developers platform allows anyone to promote, showcase, and release their applications, including those not VR developers working for the Oculus brand. However, the Oculus Store is curated for quality. Applications submitted for publication must meet the Oculus Store's guidelines and requirements, including data usage thresholds and content requirements. Two essential resources for navigating Oculus development include: 

• The Oculus Application Submission Guide. The application submission guide navigates users through the technical and content review processes. 

• The Official Oculus Developer Forum. The Oculus Developer Forum is a platform for Oculus developers to share insight and troubleshoot technical issues. 

Career opportunities in VR

The VR market reached over £22 million in 2021, with a projected growth of over £200 billion by 2028 [3]. As the VR market expands, this industry will likely have more development opportunities. As of 2021, Statista reports that there were around 4,66,000 software developers and programming professionals in the UK [4]. Developing for Oculus can help you get your VR content published. The VR industry includes other platforms like Google Play, Steam, and Viveport, and many companies hire in-house VR developers. Consider exploring software development career paths with a focus on VR. Online specialisations like Extended Reality for Everyone are a great way to explore your interests and build credibility through certifications. 

Learn how VR, augmented reality (AR), and extended reality (XR) will shape the metaverse in Meta's What Is the Metaverse? course.

How can I learn to develop for Oculus?

The guide below walks beginners through creating and publishing a VR application to the Oculus Store. If you already know how to develop VR applications, you can skip steps three and four to learn about Oculus-compatible tools and developer account creation.

1. Learn to create VR applications.

In addition to software development fundamentals like coding, VR developers must also be well-versed in 3D graphics, VR interaction concepts, and VR hardware and technologies. If you are new to software development, an introductory coding course like Coding for Everyone, a C and C++ Specialisation, is a good place to get started. If you already have a foundational knowledge of software development, think about going straight to a VR-specific course like the Virtual Reality Specialisation from the University of London.

2. Learn to design with VR technologies.

Design is a critical component of VR development. To create a high-quality digital environment, VR developers must learn the following:

• Visual and audio design concepts and ethics

• Extended reality (XR) design processes

• Digital design tools and techniques

• Prototyping and storyboard creation

Aspiring Oculus developers can learn the above criteria and create prototypes with courses like the University of Michigan’s User Experience and Interaction Design.

3. Learn to use the main VR development platforms.

Technology is constantly evolving. Developers must stay current to ensure they're utilising the best tools and techniques on the market. The vast majority of VR developers use Unity or Unreal. Both are game engines and VR development software. Of the two, most Oculus developers use Unity. Oculus employs Unity-specific tools that help VR developers publish content on the platform efficiently. Learning to use Unity proficiently can also make collaboration with other developers easier. 

You can learn the ins and outs of Unity, Unreal, and other major VR development tools through online courses like the University of Michigan’s Developing AR/VR/MR/XR Apps with WebXR, Unity & Unreal, which also teaches advanced prototyping skills and how to create a development plan for your concept.

4. Create an Oculus account.

There are currently three ways to create an Oculus developer account after navigating to the Oculus for Developers homepage. You will set up a Meta account through your:

• Facebook account 

• Instagram account

• Email address

Once selected, you will create your username and password and verify your email address. After gaining access to your account, you will need to visit the Account Manager. Access this tab through the gear icon in the top right corner of your account homepage. Oculus will prompt you to verify your account, requiring you to provide additional information and set up two-factor authentication.

Publishing under an organisation

If you publish VR content under an organisation, you must add the organisation to your Oculus developer account. From the homepage of your Oculus developer account, navigate to the Manage tab. You can then choose organisations and create an organisation. Be sure to read the terms of service before clicking the submit button. At this point, a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) will appear. Read the contents thoroughly before checking the box and agreeing to the terms. 

Start developing with Coursera.

Ready to publish your first VR application? Start building your expertise with this Introduction to Virtual Reality Specialisation from the University of London and learn about VR and other metaverse fundamentals in Meta's What Is the Metaverse? course.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)