Decoding the user experience in mobile virtual reality narratives

Abstract

Virtual reality narratives are slowly gaining popularity due to the rise of consumer oriented mobile VR headsets. Based on its potential, movie studios and other entertainment companies are investing heavily in this sector. However there is a gap in research that focuses on the user experience in these mobile VR narratives. This paper aims to fill this gap by presenting the findings of a study that investigated user experience in virtual reality narratives. Using qualitative research methods, this study analyzed users’ experiences and explored what design factors contribute to their positive or negative experiences. Based on a thematic analysis of collected data, this study argues that audio-visual cues play an important role on how users perceive a VR narrative. Findings also suggest that the sweet spot of user experience lies between boredom and frustration. If the virtual world provides well-designed audio-visual cues to guide users’ attention throughout the narrative then users experience immersion and spatial presence. On the contrary, lack of cues in a virtual environment fails to utilize the space available around the users resulting in their boredom. Moreover, excessive use of audio-visual cues makes users to keep switching their attention from one element to the next in fear of missing out something important, eventually resulting in their frustration and stress. Based on these findings, this paper suggests some guidelines to improve user experience in mobile VR narratives.