The True Cost of Making VR Video

The complexity involved in developing virtual reality video content is like no other form of film. In fact, if you’re thinking of making virtual reality content for your business but wondering what the true cost of making VR video content really is, it’s a good thing that you’re looking into pricing prior to the planning process. VR video graphics range in price from moderately affordable to elaborately costly and complex. Budgeting for the production of a VR film or related application for immersive and interactive experiences is tough. Here’s what you need to plan for when defining the true cost of making VR video.

VR technology can be used in a wide range of settings from healthcare to education. Business owners and those seeking to incorporate virtual reality productions into their everyday routines first want to know what the true cost of making VR video will be so that they can appropriately budget expenses out. However, budgeting a VR video requires more than just a basic decision to produce.

The Cost of Immersive VR Video

Producing highly immersive virtual reality video experiences require significant investments in terms of both cost and production time. The most highly engaging VR experiences require advanced graphics design and complex 3D environment development which add to the overall cost of production.

Creating immersive video requires various specialists including:

• A 3D designer
• A 3D animator
• A hardware engineer
• A sound engineer
• A project manager
• 3D developers

Much of the costs associated with the true cost of making VR video are in the development of the immersive experience which can take hundreds of hours collectively to complete among the team of professionals. Even at the low hourly rate of $50 to $75 per hour for each specialist, a 100 hour project will have $7500 in labor associated. Now can you see how the true cost of making VR video adds up?

VR Gaming Costs

Virtual reality content can cost as much as a full feature video when you get into highly interactive content such as VR gaming experiences which can quickly run $50K to $200K or more. However, basic virtual reality graphics can equally be produced for $25K depending widely on the quality of the 3D graphics involved and the environment that is produced. A well produced VR game can contain relatively simple software functions that engages and captivates gamers with a high turnover rate; When looking at some examples of popular and simple VR games there are: 

Beat Saber -> Net $20 Million 

Job simulator -> Net $3 Million

Superhot -> Net $2.5 Million

These games gained popularity through gaming influencers streaming and uploading videos of them playing. Simplicity can be an attractive aspect to your audience, lighten the load on your wallet and in turn actually fill it.   

Additional Cost Considerations

In addition to the production, how the virtual reality content will be used and how the experience is delivered will play a role in the total production cost. Developing a virtual reality video that will be incorporated into multiple platforms for immersive use will require the ability to run on multiple types of equipment and headsets which requires the application to be built in different ways. This along with the added development time will result in a higher true cost of making VR video.

Keep in mind that the true cost of making VR video can and will range from the low ten thousands to the upper hundred thousands and several hundred thousand, depending on the style of interaction, how in depth the production is in terms of complexity and environment immersiveness, and the professionalism of the chosen production company that works on your VR project. Give Beverly Boy Productions a call to learn more about the trust cost of making VR video and what your project will cost to produce.