Virtual Reality Aids Game Navigation: Evidence from the Hypertext Lostness Measure.

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Virtual Reality
• Game Analytics

Background:

• Node-based movement offers an alternative to free movement in virtual reality (VR) games.
• This navigation method is analogous to hypertext navigation, utilizing set locations for player movement.
• The hypertext lostness measure, originally for web navigation, is explored for game analytics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the hypertext lostness measure as a game analytic for navigational efficiency in VR.
• To compare VR and immersive desktop game environments regarding educational content transmission and navigational efficiency.
• To assess the impact of VR on factual and spatial knowledge acquisition and player navigation.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 25 adolescent participants.
• Comparison of an immersive desktop game environment and a VR game environment.
• Utilizing the hypertext lostness measure to analyze navigational efficiency.

Main Results:

• The hypertext lostness measure proved valuable for analyzing node-based VR navigation.
• VR games significantly improved players' spatial knowledge acquisition.
• VR games significantly enhanced players' navigational efficiency compared to desktop games.
• VR did not significantly improve the retention of factual knowledge.

Conclusions:

• The hypertext lostness measure is a valuable analytic tool for node-based VR games.
• VR gaming environments contribute to enhanced spatial learning compared to immersive desktop environments.
• Node-based movement in VR offers distinct advantages for spatial understanding and efficient navigation.