CSC 699 Blog 1

Starting a Research Project on HCI & VR


Introduction: The Power of Storytelling in Virtual Reality


Storytelling has always been a key method for sharing experiences, emotions, and cultures across history. But what happens to storytelling in a Virtual Reality (VR) setting? My research investigates this convergence—how VR can foster empathy through storytelling in a virtual museum setting.

The Fundamental Issue: Can VR Enhance Emotional Connection?


Traditional museums showcase extensive visual and historical insights but often depend on unchanging descriptions and placards. I aim to develop an interactive virtual museum where users engage with artworks through immersive storytelling audio, leading them on an emotional and reflective journey.

What Inspired This Project?

I’ve always been intrigued by how stories shape emotions, perspectives, and thought processes. Museums offer spaces for contemplation, but integrating storytelling within an immersive VR setting can enhance that experience, enabling users to connect more profoundly with the narratives behind the art. 

Additionally, an immersive VR museum is more beneficial because users can revisit the stories in their VR or Arrival Space without buying another ticket, saving them money. Therefore, when the Professor mentioned the project I would partake in during our discussion, I enthusiastically agreed to join.

I took inspiration from different project stories in Unity as I worked on creating my own game in Roblox Studio. I've also been testing and playing with the Oculus Quest at home.

Considerations

Some things to consider are:
  • Is the audio storytelling bringing the right emotion at the right time?
  • Which is a better choice for this project: Unity or Unreal Engine?

Research Questions & Approach

A few research questions I have to keep in mind are:
  • How does interactive storytelling in VR enhance emotional engagement and empathy?
  • How does spatial design influence user perception of a narrative?
  • How do different levels of interactivity (e.g., passive vs. interactive storytelling) impact user experience?

Arrival Space

What is Arrival Space?

Arrival Space is a platform that enables individuals to start journeys in the metaverse from their personal space, providing a unique and customizable experience.

Next Steps and What Excites Me Most



Moving forward, my next steps include developing the initial prototype of the virtual museum, crafting a narrative structure to ensure the audio storytelling integrates smoothly with each artwork and conducting user testing to assess engagement, immersion, and emotional reactions. I’m enthusiastic about how this project combines technology, psychology, and art to create an experience that exceeds mere observation, allowing users to immerse themselves in stories and forge deep personal connections. 

I intend to explore how VR can immerse users in various perspectives, aiming to determine if interactive storytelling fosters greater empathy and emotional engagement than traditional media. This research represents a pinnacle of my academic pursuits, focused on broadening how we interact with and understand stories in digital contexts, and I look forward to its progression. Additionally, it's enjoyable to work on projects like this.


Comments

  1. RamMMarch 17, 2025 at 1:18 PM

    I am excited to see how this project progresses as the initial features and exhibits I have seen are very well done. Well done and congratulations on your initial draft!

    ReplyDelete
  2. watersucksMarch 22, 2025 at 4:06 PM

    this is sick dawg! VR is always cool to mess around with, enjoy your project and research :}

    ReplyDelete

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