Basic Normcore Tutorial

Mandy He, March 2022 (Edited May 2022)

This is a tutorial to insert simple multiplayer functionality into your VR game!

Learn more about Normcore at their website or here.

This tutorial essentially follows and expands on this 8 minute youtube video by Jack - Unity Blockchain and XR Tutorials which I highly suggest you watch and follow first and look back here if you run into any issues or questions. 

There are plenty of tutorials around that can help you get a VR game set up in Unity using the XR Interaction Toolkit, so this tutorial will mainly focus on integrating Normcore and assumes you have already set up your project with the XR Interaction Toolkit: (Note: 0:00-3:52 of the youtube tutorial linked above gets you set up with the XR Interaction Toolkit in Unity.)

(Download a custom Unity Template for VR that will save you from having to set up XR Interaction Toolkit manually each time)


EDIT: Note that Normcore also works with OVR. See section below for difference bewteen OVR and XR Interaction Toolkit

Software: Unity 2019+, XR Interaction Toolkit, Normcore

Hardware: Quest 2 Headset, Windows or Mac + headset charging cable

Step 1: Create a Normcore account

Note: In the tutorial, he downloads it into his file system, but I just clicked on a pop up that opened Unity's Package Manger. If your Package Manager pops up, click download in the bottom-right. Then, with the project you want to import Normcore into open, go to Window->Package Manager and then in the top toolbar-esque thing, go to "Packages: My Assets" and then click import in the bottom right corner. 

Once imported, go to your assets and click on Normal > Examples >VR Player.

Then, drag the Realtime + VR player prefab into your Hierarchy and copy the app key into the correct spot.

Next, depending on if you are using OVR or XR Toolkit, drag in the controls/objects to their respective places from the hierarchy window.

XR Toolkit Setup

OVR Setup

Now your are finished and ready to build your project!

Build settings:

Note: In the headset, if you can see two black mittens in place of your hands, you have succeeded.

Potential Questions:

How do I invite other people into my game?

Why can't I see my avatar?

Why is multiplayer not working?

Should I use Photon Pun or Normcore?