How to Become an Oculus Developer in 4 Steps

Oculus was acquired by and rebranded to Meta. The name Oculus was officially phased out in 2022. All instances in this article where the Oculus VR brand name is used refer to Meta Quest VR.

Oculus (now operating under the name Meta Quest) 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 and Sorcery. With Developer Mode, you can share your own 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 or Meta Quest developer is a virtual reality game developer. VR developers use computer technology to create simulated digital environments. They design, develop, and test VR software. Then, consumers use headset devices like Oculus to explore these environments. Typical duties of a VR developer include:

• Coding. VR developers use 3D programming engines. These engines are powered by various programming languages like JavaScript, C++, and C#.

• 3D modeling. 3D modeling is a technique used in computer graphics to produce representations of real-world objects. A VR developer may use 3D modeling 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 VR developers

One of the most important skills for Oculus developers to possess is technical proficiency. 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 (rebranded to the Meta Quest Developer Center) allows anyone to promote, showcase, and release their applications, including those who are not VR developers working for the Oculus brand. The Meta Quest Store (previously known as the Oculus store) is curated for quality, however. Applications submitted for publication must meet the Store's guidelines and requirements, which include elements like data usage thresholds and content requirements. Below, you will find two essential resources for navigating Oculus development: 

1. The Oculus Application Submission Guide. This application submission guide (now branded as the Meta Quest Store - App Submission Guide) navigates users through the technical and content review processes. 

2. The Official Oculus Developer Forum. The Oculus Developer Forum is now called the Meta developer forum. It's an Oculus developer support platform for sharing insight and troubleshooting 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 US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates a 25 percent growth rate for software development careers between 2021 and 2031 [4].

Other VR platforms

Developing for Oculus can help you get your VR content published, but it isn't the only option. 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 specializations 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 the process of creating a VR application and publishing it to the Oculus Store. If you already know how to develop VR applications, skip to steps three and four to learn about Oculus-compatible tools and developer account creation.

1. Learn to create VR applications.

In addition to fundamentals of software development 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, think about going straight to a VR-specific course like the Virtual Reality Specialization 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:

• 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 own prototype with a course 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 utilizing 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.

After navigating to the Meta Quest Developer Center homepage, sign up with a Facebook account. This method requires you to link your Facebook account with your Oculus developer account. Once you have made your selection, 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 upper right corner of your account homepage. Meta 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 are publishing VR content under an organization, you must add the organization to your Oculus developer account. From the homepage of your Oculus developer account, navigate to the Manage tab. You can then choose organizations and create an organization. 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 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)