Apple has officially announced support for the Godot game engine on visionOS, the operating system that powers its Vision Pro headset. This strategic move aims to enhance the development of immersive content for the device by engaging developers who utilize open-source tools.
A recent pull request on Godot’s GitHub repository reveals that Ricardo Sanchez-Saez, a member of Apple’s visionOS engineering team, has proposed native support for Vision Pro. This contribution includes a functional VR plugin designed to enable existing Godot games to operate within a window on visionOS. Additionally, there are plans to streamline VR development for the headset by integrating visionOS as a comprehensive platform, building upon existing iOS code.
Expanding Vision Pro’s Ecosystem
This initiative comes as Apple seeks to bridge the gap between the Vision Pro and other virtual reality devices, notably the Meta Quest series. Unlike its competitors, Vision Pro has yet to establish a robust library of immersive games. By supporting open-source engines like Godot, Apple aims to attract a broader range of developers and enrich the content available on its platform.
Godot serves as a cost-free alternative to commercial game engines such as Unity and Unreal Engine, which require licensing fees. Its open-source nature allows developers to customize the engine to meet their specific needs, making it particularly appealing to indie studios exploring augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) content.
Apple’s involvement is also practical. While Unity and Unreal have dedicated teams advancing their extended reality (XR) capabilities, Godot relies heavily on community contributions. Support from Apple could accelerate the development process, especially for a platform still in the early stages of adoption.
Building on Existing XR Tools
Godot is not new to the XR landscape; the engine already supports Meta’s VR headsets. However, backing from Apple could extend its reach and provide Vision Pro with increased development momentum.
According to the GitHub post, Apple views this collaboration as a means to strengthen the Godot engine and expand its own ecosystem. For developers using Godot, this opens the door to a new platform. For Apple, it represents another step toward positioning Vision Pro as a viable destination for immersive gaming experiences.
