Setting Up the Project
This week marks the official start of my VR project for university, and I’m excited to document my journey! I’m using Unity 6.0, which is the latest version, so there are lots of new features to explore. To get started, I downloaded and installed the Unity VR sample project package. This sample is really helpful because it comes with the basic VR setup, including movement, hand controllers, and interaction scripts. It saved me a lot of time compared to building everything from scratch.
After installing the sample project, I spent some time exploring the project structure. I made sure the XR Plug-in Management was enabled and checked that my VR headset (Meta Quest 3) was being recognized by Unity. I had to update my headset’s firmware and install the latest drivers, which took a bit longer than I expected, but everything worked in the end!
Searching for Assets
With the base project running, I started thinking about what assets I would need. Since my project will involve interacting with objects—specifically weapons—I needed some 3D models to use as placeholders. I didn’t want to spend too much time modeling at this stage, so I headed to the Unity Asset Store to look for free options.
After some searching, I found the Free Low Poly Weapons Pack – Fantasy Dream (Unity Asset Store, ID: 320869). This pack includes a variety of stylized weapons, which is perfect for prototyping gameplay. Even though I’ll eventually replace these with custom models, they’re great for testing out mechanics and making the scene feel more alive.
Asset Reference:
Free Low Poly Weapons Pack – Fantasy Dream (Unity Asset Store, ID: 320869)
Importing and Testing Assets
Importing the weapon pack into Unity was straightforward. I dragged the asset package into my project, and all the models appeared in the Assets folder. I then created a simple test scene where I could drop in a few weapons and try interacting with them using the VR controllers. The models are low-poly, so they load quickly and don’t slow down my project, which is ideal for early development.
I assigned one of the swords to the right-hand controller using the sample project’s grab system. It was really satisfying to see the weapon appear in my hand in VR! There were a few hiccups—like the weapon not aligning perfectly with my controller—but I managed to fix this by adjusting the model’s transform settings in Unity.
First Impressions and Challenges
So far, working with Unity 6.0 and VR has been a good learning experience. The sample project made it easier to get started, but I still had to troubleshoot some issues with controller tracking and asset alignment. I also realized how important it is to use placeholder assets in the early stages, so I can focus on gameplay without getting stuck on visuals.
What’s Next?
For next week, my plan is to:
- Add more interaction mechanics (like picking up and dropping weapons)
- Start designing the main gameplay loop
- Take screenshots to include in my blog updates
I’m excited to keep building and see how my project evolves!
Reference:
Free Low Poly Weapons Pack – Fantasy Dream. Unity Asset Store. https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/p/free-low-poly-weapons-pack-fantasy-dream-320869
Viktor Yankulchovski`s Blog 