Development Middlware
Unity (Link)
Extremely popular developer tool that includes everything you need to make an interactive experience for any hardware or software platform. Includes access to a massive asset store, great for prototyping and learning. Extensive documentation and highly active developer community. Supports both C# or JavaScript as scripting languages. Free to use.
Unreal (Link)
Main competitor of Unity and also is capable of publishing to nearly any platform. While it is more complicated, it is stunningly powerful. Strong prototyping tools and content availability. Supports both C++ and "Blueprints" scripting, the latter of which is a node-based scripting language that is both extremely powerful and easily-learned by novices. Free to use and open source.
Developer Kits
Google Cardboard for Unity (Link)
Highly-accessible VR software platform capable of running on nearly any Android or iOS device, capable of turning any Unity program into a portable VR experience. Easy drag-and-drop setup in Unity. Free and open source.
SteamVR for Unity (link)
VR kit designed for use with the HTC Vive running on high-end PC hardware, capable of turning any Unity program into a stunning VR experience. Easy drag-and-drop setup in Unity. Free to use and open source.
Oculus utilities for Unity (Link)
VR kit designed for use with the Oculus Rift running on high-end PC hardware, capable of turning any Unity program into a stunning VR experience. Easy drag-and-drop setup in Unity. Free to use.
Audio Workstations
Reaper (Link)
Extremely flexible Digital Audio Workstation, designed for anything from music composition to podcasts. Well-suited for spatialized and/or ambisonic sound design. Available for free evaluation with no restrictions. Cross-platform.
Audio plugins
AMBISONIC TOOL KIT (LINK)
JS plug-in suite for authoring, processing, and converting ambisonic content in Reaper. Currently supports only FOA (First-Order Ambisonics) Free, open-source, and cross-platform.
AMBIX PLUG-IN SUITE (LINK)
VST plug-in suite for authoring, processing, and converting ambisonic content in Reaper. Supports up to seventh-order ambisonics. Free, open-source, and cross-platform.
MCFX PLUG-IN SUITE (LINK)
VST plug-in suite for processing and filtering ambisonic content in Reaper. Includes delays, reverbs, and EQs. Free, open-source, and cross-platform.
Oculus Audio SDK (Link)
Suite of audio tools for spatialized audio design for a variety of platforms and architectures. In particular, includes a VST plug-in for spatialized audio panning, compatible with Reaper. Free and cross-platform.
