As an XR experience designer, I have been working with both WebAssembly and JavaScript for a while now. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but I believe that each one can excel in different areas depending on the use case. In this post, I'll share my perspective on the differences between the two and how they can be used in the context of XR.
WebAssembly vs. JavaScript
WebAssembly is a low-level bytecode format that runs on the web. It is designed to be fast and efficient, making it ideal for computationally intensive tasks like image and video processing, physics simulations, and more. WebAssembly is compatible with a wide range of programming languages, including C/C++, Rust, and more.
JavaScript, on the other hand, is a high-level scripting language that is designed for web development. It is more accessible than WebAssembly and can be used to create interactive web applications and games.
XR and WebAssembly
In the context of XR, WebAssembly can be particularly useful for creating high-performance experiences. For example, if you're building a VR experience that involves physics simulations, WebAssembly can provide the speed and efficiency needed to create a seamless experience. Additionally, WebAssembly can be used to bring existing C/C++ libraries into XR experiences, providing additional functionality.
A great example is WebXR. The De-Panther/unity-webxr-export is a library on GitHub that allows you to develop and export WebXR experiences using the Unity Engine. It supports both Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality WebXR API immersive sessions. It integrates the WebXR JavaScript API to Unity WebGL and lets you develop experiences in the familiar editor using C#.
Here is an example of how to use the library:
csharpusing UnityEngine;using UnityEngine.XR;public class WebXRTest : MonoBehaviour{private void Start(){XRSettings.enabled = true;}private void Update()
{
if (Input.GetKeyDown(KeyCode.Space))
{
WebXRManager.Instance.EnterVR();
}
}XR and JavaScript
JavaScript is still an essential language for XR development. It is widely used for creating interactive web experiences, including web-based AR experiences. JavaScript can also be used to create lightweight XR experiences that run directly in the browser without the need for additional plugins or software.
WebGPU Possibilities
WebGPU is an emerging standard for low-level graphics and compute on the web. It is designed to provide better performance and more direct control over the GPU, making it a promising technology for XR experiences. With WebGPU, developers can create more complex and visually stunning XR experiences than ever before.
Game Engines for XR
Unity and Unreal Engine are two of the most popular game engines in the world. They are both classic offline game engines that have been adapted to support online and XR development. Unity is known for its user-friendliness and ease of use, making it a popular choice for indie developers and beginners. It provides a range of tools and features that make it easier to create immersive XR experiences, including support for WebAssembly and JavaScript. On the other hand, Unreal Engine is known for its powerful visual capabilities, making it a popular choice for AAA game development. It also supports WebAssembly and JavaScript and provides a suite of tools to create XR experiences.
Online game engines, on the other hand, are specifically designed for online multiplayer games and typically provide features like networking and matchmaking. Examples include Photon, Mirror, and Nakama.
The Benefits of WebAssembly for XR Development
One of the primary benefits of WebAssembly for XR development is its improved performance. XR experiences are often resource-intensive, requiring high frame rates and low latency to provide a seamless experience. By leveraging WebAssembly, developers can achieve these performance requirements without sacrificing the flexibility and ease of development provided by web technologies.
Another benefit of WebAssembly is its ability to integrate with other technologies, such as WebGPU. WebGPU is a new API that provides low-level access to graphics hardware, enabling developers to create high-performance 3D graphics and other visual effects. By combining WebAssembly and WebGPU, developers can create immersive XR experiences with stunning visuals and performance.
The Hybrid Approach
Having established the benefits of WebAssembly for XR development, it's important to remember that it's not a replacement for JavaScript. In fact, WebAssembly and JavaScript can work together in a hybrid approach, allowing developers to leverage the benefits of both technologies. For example, developers can use WebAssembly for performance-critical components of an XR experience, while using JavaScript for other non-critical parts of the application. This approach offers the best of both worlds, allowing developers to create high-performance XR experiences while maintaining the flexibility and ease of development provided by web technologies.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both WebAssembly and JavaScript have their advantages and disadvantages when it comes to XR development. While WebAssembly is ideal for computationally intensive tasks, JavaScript is more accessible and can be used to create lightweight experiences that run directly in the browser. With the emergence of WebGPU and online game engines, developers have more tools and technologies at their disposal than ever before to create amazing XR experiences. As an XR experience designer, it's important to understand these technologies and how they can be used to create the best possible experiences for users.
