01. Context

As part of my bachelor's degree final project, I originally planned to create a game cinematic inside UE5, but as the project advanced and with the help of my teachers I decided to evolve the project and create a functioning VR game prototype.

Utilizing several optimization methods and leveraging the Lumen and Nanite technology, I reconverted the environment and created the necessary movement systems to turn the scene to a playable environment with a Meta Quest 3.

02. My work

I was the sole responsible for this project, as such I did a multitude of tasks, highlighted are the following:

• Retargeted animations and rig for the main cinematic character

• Developed animation and cinematic through UE5 sequencer

A) Blueprint Programming

• Programed a locomotion system for movement mapped to the VR Meta controllers

• Programed personalized first person camera setup for VR

B) Procedural Generated Environment

• Implementation of procedural workflow for the environment through the use of Unreal Engine 5.5 PCG Graphs

• Optimization of assets using Nanite

C) Game Cinematic

03. Conclusion

This was a my most ambitious project to date, not only was it self-taught but the challenges in exploring, using and learning new technologies, as well as the use of a different platform (VR) in such a short amount of time allowed me to develop several skills and techniques that improved my workflow and capabilities inside Unreal, such as optimization through the use of nanite, lumen, PCG partitions among others, not to count the improvement in my time managing and research.

It was an incredibly difficult but rewarding experience, and I truly developed a liking for Unreal Engine and look forward to learning more about the engine itself and how its workflows could mesh with other programs and pipelines to optimize processes.