Performance and Navigation Behavior of using Teleportation in VR First-Person Shooter Games.

Area of Science:

• Virtual Reality (VR) and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
• Game Design and Player Behavior Analysis
• Human Factors and Ergonomics in Immersive Technologies

Background:

• Teleportation is a common VR navigation method that prevents VR sickness by eliminating optical flow.
• Most VR games emulate traditional 3D game locomotion (continuous movement), which differs from discrete teleportation.
• The impact of teleportation on player performance and behavior in competitive VR environments remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effects of teleportation versus continuous locomotion on user performance and navigation behavior in a VR first-person shooter.
• To investigate player perception of these two locomotion methods within a competitive gaming context.
• To identify potential gameplay design implications for balancing VR experiences.

Main Methods:

• A user study was conducted with 21 participants playing a VR first-person shooter game.
• Participants experienced both teleportation and continuous locomotion navigation methods.
• AI agents simulated other players in the competitive environment.

Main Results:

• Significant differences were observed in performance, navigation patterns, and user perception between teleportation and continuous locomotion.
• Players using teleportation traveled greater distances but were more stationary during combat engagements.
• Teleportation users sustained more damage during combat compared to continuous locomotion users.

Conclusions:

• Teleportation's distinct navigation characteristics significantly influence player behavior and combat effectiveness in VR shooters.
• The findings suggest a need for adaptive gameplay design strategies to balance the advantages and disadvantages of different locomotion methods.
• Understanding these differences is crucial for optimizing player experience and competitive balance in multiplayer VR games.