Developer DaFluffyPotato is well-known in the VR game development scene. Sadly, open source engines such as Godot have shown to have their limits and are not the first choice for many developers anymore. With a new 3D game on the horizon that requires a fresh development stack, DaFluffyPotato discovered an interesting mix of Python, GLFW, ModernGL, and OpenAL to build a surprisingly efficient VR shooter.
The Role of PyopenXR
One of the key elements that enable this creation is a project called PyopenXR. PyopenXR gives Python bindings for OpenXR, which is a collection of APIs designed to assist developers in making XR applications compatible with various VR and AR headsets. This open standard lays the groundwork for the entire tech stack. Since OpenXR doesn’t handle graphics rendering and merely acts as a communication link with XR devices, the developer turns to ModernGL, a high-performance rendering framework for Python. In addition, GLFW is utilized for window creation and input management, as PyopenXR is already compatible with it. Unfortunately, during testing, DaFluffyPotato finds a memory leak originating from PyopenXR but manages to fix the problem after locating the bug and applying the patch.
Developing the Game
Now that the stack is primed for use, DaFluffyPotato constructs a working prototype featuring a full asset setup. This includes various weapons, a character, game physics, a Minecraft-like block world, and enemy NPCs that appear on the map. The only thing left to add is spatial audio; fortunately, OpenAL can effortlessly provide 3D sound and has a workflow for implementation that’s similar to ModernGL. After dedicating some time to enhance the game, the outcome is quite impressive. The game boots quickly, taking around just a few seconds, which is significantly quicker than the majority of VR games. Moreover, the game does not overburden the CPU it operates on. Overall, this is a thrilling project, and DaFluffyPotato is already mapping out future updates that will include improved enemy NPCs and multiplayer features.
