Danny Tran

Game Developer | Technical Animator

  • Zone 360

    Fronend: Unity (C#)

    Backend: PHP & MySQL

    Core Features Built:

    • Position selection system allowing players to view and experience plays from different in-game perspectives
    • Real-time API integration with Fitbit and HBand for biometric tracking
    • Backend architecture for player data management and analytics storage
    • Unity visualization tools for live stat tracking and holographic-style UI

  • Overview

    Zone 360 is an immersive VR training platform developed by Vitruvian Sport Systems to enhance soccer players’ strategic awareness, decision-making speed, and spatial understanding through lifelike match simulations. The system combines wearable fitness data with real-time VR scenarios, allowing players to analyze their performance both physically and mentally.

    Built using Unity for the VR experience and PHP/MySQL for backend infrastructure, the platform visualizes biometric data from devices like Fitbit and HBand in real time — transforming player metrics into actionable insights and immersive training feedback.

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    My Role

    As a Unity Developer and Backend Engineer, I worked on both the front-end VR experience and the backend systems that powered the data and analytics pipeline.

    Key Contributions:

    • Developed the PHP/MySQL backend to store player profiles, biometric data, and session analytics.
    • Integrated HBand and Fitbit APIs to collect heart rate, activity, and recovery metrics for real-time analysis.
    • Built a Unity data visualization system to display live biometric stats inside the VR environment.
    • Designed and implemented front-end gameplay features allowing players to choose their position (e.g., striker, midfielder, defender) and view plays from that perspective for situational awareness training.
    • Created RESTful endpoints for seamless communication between the Unity client and backend systems.
    • Optimized data flow and UI rendering to ensure smooth updates without latency in VR.

  • Design & User Experience

    The Zone 360 experience was designed to merge cognitive training with data-driven visualization:

    • Inside Unity, players could select a position and instantly shift their perspective to see plays unfold from that vantage point.
    • Real-time visual overlays displayed heart rate, activity level, and decision metrics during gameplay.
    • The system used color-coded performance indicators and dynamic motion graphics to make feedback intuitive and engaging.
    • Coaches could access post-session dashboards to review player metrics and positional performance.

  • Challenges & Solutions

    Challenges:

    • Integrating real-time biometric data into an active VR environment without latency.
    • Synchronizing player position switching and camera transitions while maintaining frame rate stability.
    • Managing large volumes of wearable data with consistent backend performance.

    Solutions:

    • Implemented asynchronous data fetching and caching to handle continuous biometric updates.
    • Designed a position-based camera system with smooth transitions and optimized rendering paths.
    • Created efficient MySQL indexing and RESTful query structures for high-speed data access.
    • Built a modular Unity visualization layer that updated dynamically without blocking gameplay threads.

    Outcome

    Zone 360 delivered a cutting-edge, immersive training platform that successfully combined physical and cognitive metrics to enhance soccer performance.

    • Achieved seamless integration between Unity’s VR visualization and PHP/MySQL backend systems.
    • Enabled live performance tracking through wearable devices integrated directly into gameplay.
    • Introduced position-based viewing, giving players new tactical perspectives on play development.
    • Boosted engagement and training effectiveness through real-time visual feedback and personalized analytics.
    • Established a scalable foundation for future VR-driven athletic performance tools.
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