Unreal Engine editor shown working inside of virtual reality

The headline sounds very Inception, but Epic Games has the video prove that with Unreal Engine 4, users can build virtual reality games while using virtual reality.

In the video we see developer Mike Fricker manipulating columns within a digital world in 3D space, using both hands to lift and rotate them, copying, pasting and snapping them together in a very intuitive manner that would require many more presses and precise movements than in VR, where everything seems far easier. “Using the Unreal Editor in VR mode developers can create content in VR using the HTC Vive and Oculus motion controls”.

Virtual reality is poised to completely change our lives and shake up a number of industries.

Epic has been known for creating some incredibly gorgeous tech demos and now the gaming giant is jumping into the VR world with Unreal Engine 4. “Your brain already knows how to do this stuff because we all have an infinite amount of experience picking up and moving 3D objects”, Sweeney said.

Being able to develop directly in VR will theoretically enable developers to more naturally attune geometry and experiences for headset-based play.

The fact that Sweeney recognises that some features VR developers want may have to come later is reassuring; developers are clearly excited by the prospect of VR Editor and would rather see incremental updates than an unworkable product shipped. A release date will be announced at Epic Games’ Game Developers Conference event on March 16.