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“Human design reveals your inherent gifts and talents to boost your performance”
30 de November de 2023
Tech Positions: Virtual Reality Developers
According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), technological acceleration will lead to the creation of 97 million job positions. In this content series, we delve into some of the new roles that have emerged as a result of technology. We started with the digital trafficker position, and now we’ll explore one of the most in-demand roles: Virtual Reality Developer. Why is this role experiencing such a surge in demand? It’s mainly due to the increasing integration of virtual reality and the metaverse into various applications. Virtual reality is now being used for entertainment and a wide range of other social applications.
Virtual Reality (VR) isn’t limited to the world of entertainment. It’s also making its way into different sectors, contributing to progress and advancements. In education, VR allows students to learn in a more interactive way. For example, in a History class, students can “travel” through time and experience a specific era by immersing themselves in a realistically recreated environment through virtual reality. Another area in which we see significant strides in VR application is medicine. Doctors can use VR for preoperative analyses, thus minimizing potential errors during surgeries.
But, what does a virtual reality developer actually do?
What does a virtual reality app developer do?
The profile of a virtual reality developer requires extensive knowledge in mathematics, as well as skills in computer science and programming.
Their main responsibilities include:
- Analyzing and designing the required features for the application from start to finish. This involves creating interfaces, options, menus, navigation paths, and designing prototypes and interaction flows.
- Programming the designed features using languages such as JavaScript, Python, or Visual, among others.
- Testing the application with different users to ensure functionality and usability.
- Addressing and fixing any issues to release the final version and providing ongoing maintenance for the application.
What skills do they have?
The skills of a VR app developer are quite similar to those of a programmer, as they are responsible for ensuring the technical feasibility of the project and implementing the necessary code to bring it to fruition. Also, a VR app developer has the following skills:
- Broad knowledge in algebra and mathematics in general.
- Programming in various languages such as Java or Swift.
- Familiarity with tools like Unreal Engine or Autodesk.
- Ability to work with sprints, meaning proficiency with the Scrum method
How to get started as a virtual reality developer
To become a virtual reality developer, it’s crucial to have a strong grasp of programming languages as they form the building blocks for creating future applications. There are plenty of schools offering programming bootcamps for those seeking a powerful career change. While starting to code may not be easy, once you enter the tech world, doors open wide.
The next thing to consider is specialization: either focusing on developing virtual reality for web or for video game programming.
Another valuable tip is to try out and analyze as many virtual reality experiences as possible. Attending exhibitions and using free applications will help enhance your training.
Now that we are familiar with their functions and skills, it’s essential to highlight some useful tools for developing applications:
- Unity. Although primarily known for game development, it also includes features for creating virtual reality and augmented reality applications.
- Unreal Engine. Another application closely associated with the gaming industry. Within its various functions, there are options for developing virtual reality and even 3D applications.
- 3D Blender. This open-source software allows designers to create 3D models for integration into movies or virtual reality games. It offers real-time preview and supports modeling and rendering.
- OpenVR SDK. All developers can start working on PC virtual reality development with this software, which integrates well with the Steam gaming platform.
- Autodesk 3D. A tool that enables developers to work while generating their projects. It has a user-friendly learning curve and allows the creation of high-quality 3D work.
- Google Cardboard. Unlike the others, it’s a virtual reality development platform for mobile devices. It allows the creation of 3D scenes where all elements react and interact with the surroundings.
