Our series Inside XR Design dives into the best practices for creating captivating virtual reality experiences. Today’s focus is on how to craft an amazing VR trailer using only footage captured directly from the game itself. Forget about complex mixed reality setups or intricate compositing work—success lies in strategic planning and a tried-and-true method. Stick with me, because at the end, I’ve got a checklist of crucial technical tips to elevate your trailer, along with a shining example that incorporates all the advice we’ll cover.
You have the option to watch the complete video below, or keep reading for a written overview.
First off, let’s quickly align on why game trailers matter so much in the first place.
Here’s the bottom line: it’s not your game that sells itself, it’s your trailer that does the job.
Even if you’ve created a phenomenal game, you must effectively show people what makes it worth their time. Otherwise, many potential players might never give it a shot. I can’t emphasize this enough: marketing your game should not be considered an afterthought; it’s an integral part of your game’s development process. If you devote years to crafting a game but only a few weeks to creating the trailer that will draw players in, you’re not using your time wisely.
So, how do you make a trailer that grabs attention without relying on the complexities of mixed reality capture? Let’s distill it into three fundamental lessons.
### The Hook
The first and arguably the most important lesson is nailing the hook. This is the element that sets your game apart. It’s that one enticing feature that viewers see and immediately think, “I want to try that.”
It could be anything from compelling combat, a distinctive art style, a unique weapon, to a fun mechanic that isn’t found in other games. This is the signature aspect of your game.
Whatever it is, your hook should be distinctively entertaining or intriguing compared to other games in the same genre (which means you should be actively playing other games in your genre). Without this hook, people won’t see a compelling reason to choose your game over similar offerings.
And here’s a vital point: if you want your trailer to have a hook, your game needs one first. If you’re unsure about your game’s hook right now, identifying it should be your top priority even before you start crafting a trailer.
Let’s take a look at a strong example. The first trailer in our spotlight is for a game called “Hellsweeper VR” (2023) developed by Mixed Realms. Watch it carefully and see if you can spot what their hook is:
Immediately, the hook reveals itself through unique combat scenes. Right from the start, before any logos appear, we’re treated to 10 seconds of truly unique-looking VR combat featuring intriguing weapons and abilities and air maneuvers.
Throughout the trailer, the combat remains front and center. We’re not bogged down with backstory or abstract exposition; the trailer consistently emphasizes the hook. It’s communicating, “This is why you want to play our game.”
### Show, Don’t Tell
This leads us to our next point: show, don’t tell. The most compelling trailers don’t need to narrate what’s great about a game; they demonstrate it. Especially in VR, seeing the excitement is essential for convincing someone to put on the headset and dive into your game.
A great example of showcasing gameplay comes from “Boneworks” (2019) by developer Stress Level Zero. Watch how this trailer strategically showcases key moments:
The trailer effectively stitches together a series of unique experiences, giving viewers a sense of what it’s like to be immersed in the game.
### Story Structure
Our third and final lesson revolves around storytelling.
To clarify, when I say “tell a story,” I don’t mean to explain your game’s narrative directly.
Your primary aim should be to illustrate the actions and emotions players will experience in your game. That’s the narrative your trailer needs to convey.
While it might be tempting to simply capture gameplay footage and figure out the sequence later, a more effective strategy is to plan in advance which key scenes you want to highlight.
Don’t just plan out the scenes; structure them in a narrative arc. This involves creating an introduction, building up tension, and delivering a memorable climax.
That’s precisely what Respawn Entertainment achieved with their impressive trailer for “Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond” (2020). Notice how they deliberately crafted moments to tell a cohesive story about the player’s journey and emotions during gameplay.
### Continue on Page 2: Technical Checklist & Final Example »
