The relationships between the exploration of virtual space, its presence and entertainment in virtual reality, 360º and 2D

Abstract

This research investigates the relationships between the way virtual space is explored, the perception of presence and the degree of entertainment experienced during the experience. All participants (N = 147) interact with an omnidirectional video clip in three different conditions (VR, 360o, 2D). Throughout the two experimental sessions, affective, cognitive, and behavioural information is collected from the participant, which allows us to relate their interactive behaviour, their perception of presence and degree of entertainment. The possible influence of experience with interactive systems on current interactive behaviour is also analysed. The results highlight the complex relationships between these nuclear dimensions of VR and indicate the existence of two types of exploratory behaviour that we have called interface dependent and interface independent. When the first is present, there is no connection with the positive perception of presence and entertainment, but there is in the second. This typology shows the need to consider the learning processes in the access to the content through the interface in digital interactive systems such as VR and 360o.