Multiplayer functionality can be tested in Unity using Link and the Meta XR Simulator. This testing method allows three separate users to test multiplayer functionality in your Unity app. The testing methodology breaks down as follows:

Player 1 uses Link from the first Quest device

Player 2 uses Meta XR Simulator along with Meta Quest Controllers from the second Quest Headset

Player 3 uses Meta XR Simulator and controls their player via mouse and keyboard

Prerequisites

To use this form of multiplayer testing, ensure that you have the following:

At least two Meta Quest headsets

A VR app set up for Unity

ParrelSync installed for your Unity editor

Link set up for your headset and PC

Once you have met all prerequisites, use ParrelSync’s Clone Manager to create clones of your Unity project.

Create ParrelSync clone

On the menu, go to ParrelSync > Clone Manager.

Use ParrelSync’s Clone Manager to create two additional Unity editors.

Once you have created two additional clones, you must activate the Meta XR Simulator.

Install and run Meta XR Simulator

Use the following steps to install and activate Meta XR Simulator for your Unity editor(s).

Install and setup the Meta XR Simulator with your development environment. For more information, see Getting Started with Meta XR Simulator.

Once you have the Meta XR Simulator installed, navigate to Meta > Meta XR Simulator > Activate on the menu bar.

The system will display a log message indicating that it successfully activated the Meta XR Simulator.

Test Multiplayer with Link and XR Simulator

After installing Meta XR Simulator for your app, you can test multiplayer for three users. To do so, use the following process:

Set up the first player for testing using Link by opening the Meta Quest Link app and connecting your Quest device to your PC via USB. Start the Link in the headset by opening the Anywhere UI, then select Quick Settings > Settings > Systems > Quest Link > Launch Quest Link.

Click Play in the Unity Editor for the first player. Your app begins streaming over your Quest device to your PC via Quest Link. There is no need to activate the Meta XR Simulator here, since the activation disables Link.

Open Settings > System to disable Quest Link to set up the second player using the Meta XR Simulator and Meta Quest Controllers. Select Quest Link from the options list and ensure that the option is disabled. Now that the Link is disabled, activate the simulator in the editor. Do the same in the editor for the third player when Link is not used and is disabled.

With Quest Link disabled for the second player’s headset, you can use the Meta XR Simulator with Meta Quest Controllers to control the second player.

The path in step 2 of setup is in your project folder: \Library\PackageCache\com.meta.xr.simulator@{version}

With the headsets for the first and second players set up, you can now control player three entirely via the Meta XR Simulator using mouse and keyboard inputs.

Link and XR Simulator sample video

The following is a sample video of the above process in action:

Video: Unity Editor views using Link and the Meta XR Simulator.

In the video, the middle editor represents Player 1 using Link via the first Quest device. The editor on the right represents Player 2 using Meta XR Simulator with Meta Quest Controllers from the second Quest device. The editor on the left represents Player 3 via the Meta XR Simulator, which you can control using mouse and keyboard inputs.

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