Drone Simulator for Oculus Quest 2

Since the Oculus Quest 2 is relatively new, the number of drone simulator games is fairly limited. In fact, none of them are completely finished.

This is normal these days, as many studios and independent developers release games before they are finished so players can help flesh out the simulator.

As we will discuss in this article, the simulators, while limited in number, have an impressive number of features and tools to increase realism, and you’ll be part of the simulator’s final stages of development.

Acro Mode #

Overview #

Acro Mode, a Freestyle FPV Drone Simulator, was created to allow you to have a quick freestyle session right from your Meta Quest 2 or Quest 2.

The customizable FPV Goggle simulation screen allows you to perform all kinds of high-level acrobatics, such as barrel rolls, dives, and orbits, without the risk of crashing your real FPV drone.

Your face is attached to a 2D display that relays the drone’s perspective information. The in-game drone works exactly like the real thing!!

Acro Mode is still being developed, and depending on your interest, more maps or features will be developed as time passes.

Current Features #

Day and Night Environments
Customizable Display for FPV
Adjustable Control Rate Settings
Stabilized clip recording (so you can show off your skills)
Multiplayer Sessions with Voice Chat
Multiplayer Sessions: Watch the feeds of other players
Drone Tag (Experimental)

Beta Test Available via Oculus App Lab.

Instructions for installation #

To be added to the Beta List, you’ll have to email the Oculus/Meta email address. Then follow the link to locate the App Lab product page.

Your address will only be used to register you and not for spam or promo emails.

DVR Simulator #

Overview #

DVR Simulator, a Drone Racing FPV Simulator, is currently in development. It has a learning module and two flight modes: Racing and Freestyle. If you own one, you can simulate the FPV headset using a VR headset that is supported by Virtual Reality.

Multiplayer allows you to play with and against your friends. Crossplay is possible across all platforms. This means that a Linux player can play alongside an Oculus Quest and Xbox One player.

You can modify the drone’s physics using an in-game editor. You can save your profiles to be used later. You can share your profile with friends because it is open.

Gamepads can be enabled and supported by default. It is highly recommended to use a radio transmitter. To support as many radio transmitters as possible, the simulator has three input engines and a calibration process.

As new features are added or completed, the price of the game will go up. If the game is released during the Alpha/Beta phase, you will be eligible to receive a Steam key for free, so get in early!

The simulator is currently in BETA and will be available in Early Access in late August.

Supported Flight Modes #

Angle: This flight mode allows you to optimize the angle of the drone propellers and flight performance to your liking.

Horizon: This option will allow you to change your field of view.

Acro: This feature allows simulation pilots to perform acrobatic moves within the simulation. This is great practice for pilots looking to increase their skills performing risky moves without putting their real drone in any danger.

Options available on the Flight Controller #

Optional supported physics: This option allows you to change the physics settings within the simulation.

Drag factor, Angular Drag factor: To match the drone that you might have in real life, you can increase the amount of drag your in-game drone creates. This will help you bring the simulation drone closer to how your real drone performs in the field.

This is one of the most important factors to adjust, as drag directly affects speed, and if you wish your in-game skills to transition to the real world, you’ll need to get these settings down.

Weight: This one is pretty self-explanatory. You’ll be able to adjust the weight of your in-game drone so it’s closer to your real drone. This is important because it directly affects the necessary motor power.

Motor power: As discussed above, try and match your motor power to your real-world drone if you wish your in-game skills to translate to the real world.

Gravity factor: There are slight variations in gravity across the planet. Adjust these settings to your local area or an area you are traveling to.

Supported actions #

Arm/Disarm: This action will engage motors to begin flight.

Mod toggle: This action allows you to flip between mods that you have installed on your game.

Auto Turtle Mode: For those who don’t know, turtle mode is when the drone has the ability to flip itself over, topside up, after a crash.

Camera Mode toggle: This mode allows simulation pilots to toggle what mode they wish to operate their cameras in.

Supported Camera Modes #

First Person View (FPV): This is how most pilots will choose to fly their drones in real life and in the simulator. When being taught to fly drones, instructors tell you to fly FPV because you’ll see what the drone sees through the camera, allowing you to fly the drone more safely and effectively.

If you are flying in real life, you should have a visual observer if you are flying solely FPV.

Third-person perspective: This replicates flying your drone in real life without looking through the camera. Imagine flying your drone around and watching the drone instead of the camera.

This is often the visual observer’s role and is usually only utilized by the pilot when landing.

Fixed Third-Person View: If you have ever played a space pilot game, such as StarWars, pilots, you’ll be familiar with fixed third-person view. This essentially means that as the drone flies, you’ll be positioned behind it as it moves through the air and retain distance behind it throughout the flight.