Creating Engaging VR Trailers Without Mixed Reality Capture: A Guide to XR Design

In today’s dive into our series, Inside XR Design, we’re unpacking the art of crafting an extraordinary VR trailer using solely in-game footage. Forget about the hassle of mixed reality setups or intricate compositing; all you need is some astute planning and a tested strategy. Stick around, because I’ll be wrapping up with a checklist of crucial technical elements to make your trailer pop, plus a highlight trailer that embodies everything we’re going to explore.

You can watch the complete video below, or stick with me as I take you through a text version.

First, let’s sync up on why trailers are so crucial.

Here’s the deal: it’s not your game that sells itself—it’s the trailer that does the heavy lifting.

Even if you’ve created a masterpiece, without a compelling trailer to hook people in and show them why it’s unmissable, potential players might just pass by without a second glance. So, a word to the wise: don’t put marketing on the back burner while you focus on game development. It should be integral to your process. If you invest years into developing your game but slap together a trailer in just a couple of weeks, you’re missing out on optimally leveraging your time.

So, what makes a trailer that turns heads even without fancy mixed reality capture? Let’s delve into three straightforward lessons.

### The Hook

The first, and arguably most crucial, aspect we’ll cover today is the hook. The hook is what makes your game leap off the screen. It’s that unique element that captures a viewer’s imagination, prompting them to think, “I need to experience that.”

This could be thrilling combat sequences, an eye-catching art style, an innovative weapon, or a quirky mechanic that sets your game apart. It’s the hallmark of your game.

Your hook should be something distinctly fun or intriguing, especially when compared to other games in your genre. That means you should be playing other games in your genre to truly understand your niche. Without a hook, there’s no clear reason for someone to pick your game over something similar.

And here’s a crucial point: your trailer can’t have a hook unless your game does. If you’re unsure what your game’s hook is, identifying it should be priority number one before you even think about whipping up a trailer.

Let’s take a look at a hook in action. Check out the trailer for Hellsweeper VR (2023) by Mixed Realms. Spot the hook?

What comes across? If you thought “unique combat,” you’ve nailed it. Right from the get-go, before any logos even grace the screen, we dive into 10 seconds of truly unique-looking VR combat, featuring a player wielding cool weapons and powers while soaring through the air.

Throughout the trailer, the combat remains front and center. There’s no tedious lore or vague exposition—just a relentless focus on the hook. The message is clear: “This is why you want to play our game.”

### Show, Don’t Tell

This segues into our next point: show, don’t tell. Exceptional trailers don’t spell out what’s great about a game—they let you see it. This is even more essential in VR, where people need to witness the excitement to understand why they should don a headset and check out your game.

Boneworks (2019) from Stress Level Zero exemplifies this perfectly by allowing the gameplay to speak volumes. Let’s take a look.

This trailer expertly stitches together a series of unique moments that portray the experience you can expect in-game, painting a vivid picture of the gameplay feel.

### Story Structure

This leads us to our final lesson: tell a story.

When I say “tell a story,” I don’t mean “explain your game’s narrative.”

The aim is to illustrate what players will do and feel when diving into your game. That’s the story your trailer should convey.

While it might be tempting to just capture general gameplay footage and arrange it later, a more effective strategy is to decide in advance what you want viewers to see.

Along with choosing key moments, they should be organized into a narrative arc—think introduction, rising action, and climax to leave a lasting impression.

Respawn Entertainment nailed this with their standout trailer for Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond (2020). Watch closely and notice how they meticulously choreographed and executed deliberate moments to weave a coherent story about the player’s journey through the game.

### Continue on Page 2: Technical Checklist & Final Example »