Outstanding: A Multi-Perspective Travel Approach for Virtual Reality Games (1908.00379v2)

Abstract: In virtual reality games, players dive into fictional environments and can experience a compelling and immersive world. State-of-the-art VR systems allow for natural and intuitive navigation through physical walking. However, the tracking space is still limited, and viable alternatives are required to reach further virtual destinations. Our work focuses on the exploration of vast open worlds - an area where existing local navigation approaches such as the arc-based teleport are not ideally suited and world-in-miniature techniques potentially reduce presence. We present a novel alternative for open environments: Our idea is to equip players with the ability to switch from first-person to a third-person bird's eye perspective on demand. From above, players can command their avatar and initiate travels over large distance. Our evaluation reveals a significant increase in spatial orientation while avoiding cybersickness and preserving presence, enjoyment, and competence. We summarize our findings in a set of comprehensive design guidelines to help developers integrate our technique.

• The paper introduces a dual-perspective navigation method that integrates first-person and third-person views to enhance spatial awareness in VR.
• It demonstrates that the approach significantly reduces spatial disorientation and cybersickness compared to traditional teleportation techniques.
• User studies confirm improved task performance and immersive experience in expansive virtual environments.

Exploration of Dynamic Perspective Switching for VR Navigation

The paper presents "Outstanding: A Multi-Perspective Travel Approach," introducing a novel navigation technique tailored for virtual reality (VR) games, emphasizing large-scale exploratory experiences. This research, undertaken by Sebastian Cmentowski, Andrey Krekhov, and Jens Krüger, evaluates the limitations of current VR locomotion methods—particularly the arc-based teleportation—and proposes a dual-perspective switching mechanism to enhance spatial orientation and mitigate cybersickness in expansive virtual environments.

Problem Statement and Motivation

Current VR navigation techniques like room-scale physical walking and teleportation exhibit limitations when applied to vast open worlds. While the former is naturally intuitive, it is constrained by physical space. Teleportation, although effective for medium-range movement, often results in spatial disorientation and reduces presence due to abrupt transitions. This paper critiques the inefficiency of these techniques in fostering an immersive experience for expansive environment exploration, which prompted the development of an innovative solution focused on dynamic perspective switching between first-person (1PP) and third-person perspectives (3PP).

Proposed Solution

The research proposes a technique in which users can seamlessly switch between a first-person and a third-person bird's eye view. In 1PP, players interact and engage with the environment locally, while 3PP enables distant navigation with an elevated perspective, akin to viewing a map from above. The technique aims to leverage the strengths of both perspectives—1PP's detailed interaction capabilities and 3PP's superior spatial awareness—balancing interaction intensity with comprehensive environmental perception. A smooth, fast transformation between these perspectives was designed to minimize cybersickness, a common ailment when incongruity arises between visual stimuli and physical perception.

Experimental Design and Evaluation

The approach was implemented in a VR scenario, testing it against traditional teleportation in a user paper involving a large-scale virtual environment. The paper focused on multiple metrics: task performance, spatial orientation, presence, enjoyment, and cybersickness incidence. The findings indicated that switching perspectives significantly improved spatial orientation without compromising presence and enjoyment, aligning with the hypothesis that virtual scaling and perspective-switching can enhance user experience in VR travel tasks.

Numerical and Qualitative Insights

Quantitative results showcased a marked reduction in spatial disorientation and a substantial increase in navigational efficacy, as users effectively transitioned through the game world. Notably, the technique did not induce additional cybersickness, demonstrating the viability of the perspective switching concept in preserving physical comfort. Qualitative feedback underscored the intuitive nature of the technique once users acclimated to it, with many participants appreciating the balanced approach to navigation and interaction provided by the dual perspectives.

Implications and Future Directions

This research holds significant implications for VR game design and virtual environment exploration. By highlighting a new paradigm for VR navigation, it encourages developers to consider dual-perspective mechanisms, facilitating more intricate interactions within vast spaces without compromising user experience. Future exploration may delve into refining transition dynamics, integrating additional control mechanisms for streamlined avatar guidance, and expanding the approach to varied applications beyond gaming, such as virtual exhibitions and educational simulations.

While this paper successfully addresses existing locomotion challenges in open-world VR scenarios, further work is essential to enhance functionality in enclosed or multi-level environments. Future research should explore adaptive scaling techniques, alternative interaction methods for confined spaces, and the application of this navigation technique across different genres and VR platforms.

In conclusion, the paper offers a comprehensive examination of VR navigation, providing valuable insights for overcoming challenges associated with large virtual environments, while maintaining user engagement and minimizing cybersickness. This approach opens new avenues for immersive and accessible VR experiences, potentially transforming how users interact with and traverse virtual worlds.