INFOGRAPHIC: How Much Does it Cost to Create a Virtual Reality App?
Virtual Reality app development costs vary depending on a number of factors. While much of the costs are dependent on the type of VR content, other components will have a role in determining the full cost of your project. There are four essential components that you will have to consider before starting your VR project and each will have their own separate costs and considerations.
The main components of a VR project are as follows:
Content: Determining what type of VR content you will want to produce will be key and will greatly affect the overall costs. For example, a 360 degree video differs in cost from a complex interactive computer graphic simulation. Essentially, the more realistic the content and the more interactive it is, the higher the cost.
Headsets: Before embarking on your VR project, you will want to think about end user experience. Do you want users to be mobile, having the ability to experience it from anywhere as long as they have their mobile phone and perhaps a Google Cardboard headset? Or do you want them to have a more immersive experience and to be tethered to a high-end PC with an attached headset and controllers? These decisions will all effect your costs — and the end user’s costs as well depending on which VR headset and hardware they choose to buy.
Software: Software is sometimes an afterthought in a VR project, when in actuality it should be the first thing you think about. You will need to build software in order to deliver your VR project to users. Anything outside of a simple 360 degree video played back within a web browser will require some kind of software application. For mobile VR projects using Google Cardboard or Samsung Gear, you will need to build a mobile app. For high-end applications such as Oculus, HTC Vive or HoloLens, you will need to create a VR program for these individual systems.
Distribution: Last but not least, every VR project will need distribution and marketing in order for it to gain the traction that you’re looking for. This area will be highly dependent on your budget and what you are willing to spend. If you are developing a mobile app, you can distribute in the iTunes and Google Play Stores nearly for free, although app marketing and PR will need to be a part of your strategy. Social media also has low costs to publish, however you may want to utilize paid social tactics for additional reach. Finding VR content channels and or events are also alternative ways to get in front of more users.
The following VR infographic will help guide you in your decision making process:
A version of this post was also published on Blue Label Labs’ blog Idea to Appster, you can find this post and other topics written by us here or at www.bluelabellabs.com
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