Effect of navigation methods on spatial awareness in virtual worlds

Abstract

This manuscript discusses navigation methods which would help users to build and maintain their own mind map so that they do not lose their awareness in a virtual world. An experiment in an impact of three navigation methods of Key, Click and Auto on spatial awareness is conducted. Key is a method that enables the user to hit keys and/or manipulate the mouse to control the player freely. Click is a method that enables the user to click on each of pre-defined viewpoints in order to let the player jump onto it. Auto is a method that the player walks automatically at a constant speed along a pre-defined path. The result shows that Key or Auto methods have a better performance for spatial awareness.