VR Game launcher not launching games in VR mode

[Ray74]

I have a couple of offline VR games. I decided to make a simple launcher app, so that when you click on a game image, the 'set' .exe game file is loaded.

When I run the .exe manually (double clicking it), the game launches in VR mode (providing Steam is running) as it launches Steam VR, so all good.

But when I run the same .exe from my launcher using the Process.Start() function, the game launches, but runs in PC mode and not in VR.

I can confirm that Visual Stuio is running with admin privaleges, and that Steam VR does launch in both scenarios, but just not in VR mode when I use my launcher. I've even 'published' the app, and ran the project build .exe file as admin too, but having the same issue.

My code to start the application is very simple, and is as follows:

private void LaunchApplication(string exePath)
{
    try
    {
        Process.Start(exePath);
    }
    catch (Exception ex)
    {
        MessageBox.Show("Error: " + ex.Message, "Error", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Error);
    }
}

The exePath varialbe is set and passed into LaunchApplication when I call it from an game image click (this works fine as the game does launch, just not in VR mode).

I've also tested the same two scenarios via Quest Link (Meta 3), and I'm getting the same issue with no VR mode when running from my launcher.

I guess it could be a permission thing, although I am no programmer, but this really has me stumped.

I've tried the following function attempts - all launch the VR game, but not in VR mode as intended.

Process.Start(exePath);

Process.Start(new ProcessStartInfo(exePath) { UseShellExecute = true })

I've also tried creating a shortcut of the game, and tried launching that via the launcher using the -vr oculus switch, again works manually double clicking it, but not from the launcher.

Does anyone have any thoughts/suggestions they could share with me?

Thanks ever so much in advance.

[Elsaretyn]

I have a couple of offline VR games. I decided to make a simple launcher app, so that when you click on a game image, the 'set' .exe game file is loaded.

When I run the .exe manually (double clicking it), the game launches in VR mode (providing Steam is running) as it launches Steam VR, so all good. But when I run the same .exe from my launcher using the Process.Start() function, the game launches, but runs in PC mode and not in VR. I can confirm that Visual Stuio is running with admin privaleges, and that Steam VR does launch in both scenarios, but just not in VR mode when I use my launcher. I've even 'published' the app, and ran the project build .exe file as admin too, but having the same issue. My code to start the application is very simple, and is as follows: The exePath varialbe is set and passed into LaunchApplication when I call it from an game image click (this works fine as the game does launch, just not in VR mode). I've also tested the same two scenarios via Quest Link (Meta 3), and I'm getting the same issue with no VR mode when running from my launcher.

I guess it could be a permission thing, although I am no programmer, but this really has me stumped.

I've tried the following function attempts - all launch the VR game, but not in VR mode as intended.


I've also tried creating a shortcut of the game, and tried launching that via the launcher using the -vr oculus switch, again works manually double clicking it, but not from the launcher.

Does anyone have any thoughts/suggestions they could share with me?

Thanks ever so much in advance.

It sounds like there might be a specific setting or parameter missing when launching the game through your launcher. Double-check the command or arguments passed to Process.Start() to ensure it triggers VR mode correctly. It could be related to how Steam VR is initialized or activated during the launch process.