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Let's Make a Mixed Reality Game in Unity - Meta Quest Tutorial - Part 1 : Ray Gun

Introduction

Welcome to this new tutorial series where we will build a mixed reality game from scratch using the Unity game engine and a Meta Quest headset. In this series, we will cover the basics of setting up passthrough and using the scene model in Unity, alongside creating key features of mixed reality gameplay.

What We Will Cover

In this first episode, our main focus is to set up mixed reality within Unity, and create an engaging ray gun that interacts with the player's environment. This involves colliding with objects, stopping the ray upon impact, and implementing basic mechanics.

We'll also explore advanced techniques that are often overlooked in tutorials, such as:

  • Creating a shader for visual elements
  • Basic 3D modeling
  • Adding sound effects
  • Optimizing performance for smooth gameplay
  • Publishing the game

Setting Up Mixed Reality in Unity

To get started, you must ensure that you have the Unity application installed. You can download it from the official Unity website. After installation, ensure you have a version of Unity above 2021.3; we recommend using Unity 2022.3.

Initial Setup

  1. Launch Unity Hub and create a new project.
  2. Select the Universal Render Pipeline (URP) template, which optimizes rendering for mixed reality.
  3. Name your project (e.g., "Ghost Hunter"), set a location, and create the project.

Next:

  • Go to File > Build Settings, switch the platform to Android.
  • Download the Meta All-in-One SDK from the Unity Asset Store.
  • Install the SDK, which will help us incorporate mixed reality functionalities.

Configuring XR Plugin Management

Enable XR Plugin Management in Unity:

  1. Go to Edit > Project Settings.
  2. Under XR Plug-in Management, install and enable Oculus for both Android and Desktop platforms.
  3. Use the Project Setup Tool within the MetaXR SDK to fix any setup issues.

Building Blocks

To speed up our development, we can utilize Building Blocks from the MetaXR SDK, which allows for quicker setup of fundamental components.

  1. Drag the Camera Rig block into the hierarchy.
  2. Remove any default camera and unwanted global volume to clean up the scene.
  3. Add passthrough functionality by dragging the relevant blocks to the hierarchy.

Testing Your Setup

Testing can be done in two primary ways:

  1. Deploying to Meta Quest: Set your Quest to Developer Mode and connect it to your PC via a USB-C cable.
  2. Meta Quest Link: This allows live testing in Unity, emphasizing quick iterations.

Building the Ray Gun

With the setup ready, we can focus on building our ray gun.

  1. Importing the Model: Find a suitable ray gun model on sites like Sketchfab, download it, and drag it into your Unity project.
  2. Positioning: Attach the model to the right-hand controller.
  3. Script Implementation: Create the RayGun script to handle shooting mechanics.

Enhancing Functionality

  • Raycasting: Implement a raycast to detect collisions in the environment.
  • Visual Effects: Create a Line Renderer to visualize the ray, optimizing its appearance with colors.
  • Feedback Mechanism: Implement sound effects and impact effects for a more dynamic gameplay experience.

Finalizing and Testing

Connect your components, set parameters properly in Unity, and run the game to ensure that the ray gun functionalities work as intended.

As part of the completed ray gun, you'll notice:

  • The ray stops upon hitting colliders from the scene model.
  • Sounds are played during shooting.
  • Visual effects trigger at the point of impact.

Wrapping Up

That's it for part 1 of our mixed reality game development series. In the next episode, we will dive deeper into creating ghosts that will spawn behind the walls, enhancing the mixed reality experience.

Keywords

  • Mixed Reality
  • Unity
  • Meta Quest
  • Ray Gun
  • XR Plugin Management
  • Building Blocks
  • Raycasting
  • Scene Model

FAQ

1. What is mixed reality?
Mixed reality (MR) blends the physical and digital worlds, allowing real-time interaction with both environments.

2. What software do I need for this tutorial?
You will need Unity, the Meta All-in-One SDK, and the Meta Quest device for testing.

3. How can I test my mixed reality game?
You can test your game by building it directly to the Meta Quest headset or using the Meta Quest Link for live testing in Unity.

4. Where can I find 3D models for my game?
You can find free and paid 3D models on platforms like Sketchfab or various other asset repositories online.

5. What are Building Blocks in the Meta SDK?
Building Blocks are pre-made components that simplify the setup of essential mixed reality features in Unity.

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