Rather than focusing on finished experiences, this talk is for builders: we’ll dive deep into workflow changes, technology evaluation, critical decision points, and how experimental features can bridge the gap between real and virtual in practical, scalable ways.
In 2020, Durham College initiated a research project to develop virtual reality (VR) firefighter training for Oshawa Fire Services, supported by a federal grant and in partnership with the City of Oshawa, Ontario. The original goal was to create a fully immersive, VR-based training simulation. However, this approach presented significant challenges, particularly the resource-intensive process of developing accurate digital assets to mirror real-world people and objects. After two years of painstaking 3D asset development, prototyping and hitting numerous dead-ends, it was time for an agonizing re-appraisal of the situation; I scrapped what we had done so far, ported our project to another engine, and created a mixed reality application with Meta’s (then-new) depth API. This talk explores the complexities of development process in the fast-paced XR sector, and how perceived risks can be opportunities in disguise.