Why I’m exploring a virtual runtime for Unity assets (beyond the engine itself)
Unity has been the dominant engine for years, shaping how we build games and interactive content.
But there’s a structural assumption baked into the ecosystem that we rarely question:
Unity assets can only run inside the Unity runtime.
This assumption defines how we prototype, deploy, reuse, and even imagine what a “runtime” is supposed to be.
It’s convenient, but also limiting—especially when you want lightweight experimentation or cross‑platform flexibility.
This is where my project, NextLiber VRM (NLV), comes in.
Unity as data, not a platform
At its core, Unity scenes are stored as YAML.
That means:
Transforms
Prefabs
Materials
Mesh references
Component structures
…are all data, not magic.
And if it’s data, then it can be interpreted anywhere.
This simple idea led me to explore a radical direction:
What if Unity scenes could run outside Unity?
Not by re‑implementing Unity.
Not by competing with Unity.
But by treating Unity assets as a portable format that can be reconstructed in an external runtime.
Introducing NextLiber VRM
NLV is a Java‑based virtual runtime that:
reads Unity YAML
reconstructs the object hierarchy
interprets scene data
renders it externally (starting with 2D)
It’s early, experimental, and evolving.
But the goal is clear:
liberate Unity assets from runtime dependency.
Why start with 2D
2D is the perfect foundation for exploring this idea:
simpler physics
predictable rendering
manageable MVP scope
easier debugging of scene reconstruction
If NLV can run a 2D Unity scene externally,
the path to 3D becomes a matter of iteration, not speculation.
What this unlocks
Running Unity assets outside Unity could enable:
lightweight mobile prototypes
instant scene previews
cross‑runtime asset reuse
new workflows for experimentation
Unity as a format, not just a platform
This isn’t about replacing Unity.
It’s about expanding what Unity assets can do.
Challenges ahead
There are real obstacles:
physics emulation
shader abstraction
animation systems
cross‑platform runtime design
deciding what to emulate vs. reinvent
But these challenges are part of the fun.
They define the frontier.
If this idea resonates with you
NLV is open, experimental, and very much in motion.
If the thought of “Unity outside Unity” sparks something in you,
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Top comments (0)