Rotating Cylindrical PIN VR Display—An Ergonomic Approach for VR Scripts

Abstract

A Rotating Cylindrical Display is recommended as an ergonomic approach for the communication of scripts in Parallel Interactive Narratives in Virtual Reality (PIN VR). VR studies propose grammars to orient a navigator’s gaze towards intended areas; however, it is argued that it is this limitation of the navigator’s ability to choose their own viewing direction, which restricts the full potential of the medium. PIN VR experiences address this limitation by allowing the navigator to teleport from one narrative location to another; while the remaining narrative locations run in parallel sequences, irrespective of the navigator’s presence. A study on scriptwriting for VR reveals that there is no standard approach for VR script design. This leads to the possibility to explore scriptwriting for PIN VR experiences. Through a Screen Production Enquiry, a PIN VR script has been attempted in a Traditional and Spherical Format. It is observed that these formats limit the representation of parallel narrative timelines. An ergonomic solution is found in a combination of a Tabular Format and a Rotating Cylindrical PIN VR Display. The display includes parallel scripts mounted around the surface of a cylinder. The display adopts relevant ergonomic and functional details from a rotating literature rack and a digital kiosk display. The Rotating Cylindrical PIN VR Display has been tested with VR production crew members for its ergonomic and visual communication effectiveness.