Virtual Reality (VR) promises immersive environments that can be fully controlled and manipulated, and which can be shared amongst multiple participants. Users would be able to view and experience these virtual worlds, and interact with them for a range of purposes such as familiarization, learning, communication or entertainment. However, this technology has not yet matured. It is nowhere near its full potential, and has issues with its direction, performance, and accessability. Generally, only experienced VR programmers have the knowledge for using the tools to create these environments. This counters the view that others would benefit from having the freedom to create these worlds and applications. A vision that once achieved would promote the uptake of VR, and extend the usefulness of this exciting new technology. This research aims to open up the field of VR development. It investigates the problems and limitations faced by users wishing to create immersive VR applications. To address these issues, it proposes and then implements the VieGen framework; a set of tools and libraries that assist in the creation and control of virtual worlds, regardless of a users programming experience. The research goes on to explore test use and deployment of VieGen, see~ng it used across a range of disciplines, including industry, academia, and the arts. Ongoing use of this framework will facilitate and stimulate additional research into the field of VR. Not just for extending what can be achieved by these environments, but also for furthering how they can be utilized for the advancement of learning, communication and human psychology.