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, and Blade & Sorcery. 

With Developer Mode, you can share your VR content with millions of Oculus users worldwide [2]. The article below includes a step-by-step guide for creating and publishing your own VR application on the Oculus platform—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, which are powered by various programming languages, such as JavaScript, C++, and C#.

• 3D modelling. 3D modelling is a computer graphics technique used to produce representations of real-world objects. A VR developer may use 3D modelling to generate environmental elements, special effects, or character animations.

• Digitalization. Digitalization is the process of 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 using 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, including VR developers not working for the Oculus brand, to promote, showcase, and release their applications. 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. Below, you will find two essential resources for navigating Oculus development: 

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

2. 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 $28 billion US dollars in 2021, with a projected growth of 250 billion by 2028 [3]. Additionally, the Government of Canada Job Bank predicts that the job outlook for software developers is good to very good over the next few years in most provinces [4]. 

Developing for Oculus can help you get your VR content published. The VR industry includes platforms like Google Play, Steam, and Viveport. Plus, many companies hire in-house VR developers. 

Consider exploring software development career paths with a focus on VR. Online specializations like Extended Reality for Everyone are great ways 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 know how to develop VR applications, 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++ Specialization, is a good place to get started. 

If you already have a foundational knowledge of software development, consider taking a VR-specific course like the Virtual Reality Specialization at 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:

• 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 their prototype with a course like the University of Michigan’s User Experience and Interaction Design.

3. Learn to use the leading VR development platforms.

Technology is constantly evolving, and developers must stay current to use the best tools and techniques. Most VR developers use Unity or Unreal, both game engines and VR development software. 

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. This course also teaches advanced prototyping skills and how to create a development plan for your concept.

4. Create an Oculus account.

There are currently two ways to create an Oculus developer account after navigating to the Oculus for Developers homepage:

1. Sign up with a Facebook account. This method requires linking your Facebook account with your Oculus developer account. 

2. Sign up for an unmerged Oculus developer account. Although it’s possible to create an Oculus developer account without a Facebook account, it is not recommended. Functionalities are limited, and support for unmerged accounts ended on January 1, 2023. You do not need to provide any alternative information to continue through the steps to account creation if you select the unmerged option.

Once selected, you will create your username and password and verify your email address. After gaining access to your account, you must visit the Account Manager via 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 organization

If you publish VR content under an organization, you must add the organization to your Oculus developer account. From your Oculus developer account homepage, navigate to the “Manage” tab. You can then choose organizations and create an organization. Read the terms of service before clicking the “Submit” button. 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 Specialization 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)