Virtual Gaming Environment Research Articles

Curiosity, Interest, and Engagement: Unpacking Their Roles in Students’ Learning within a Virtual Game Environment

Learning in a virtual environment has been found to foster students’ affective responses, indicating the importance of exploring the factors which affect students’ learning when engaged in a virtual game. This study aimed to explore the relationships among students’ epistemic curiosity, situational interest, and learning engagement in an exploratory 3D virtual game environment. A virtual game was designed for elementary school students to learn concepts of evaporation and condensation in real-life situations. Data were collected using questionnaires from a total of 121 sixth-grade elementary school students, and were analyzed using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The reliability and validity of the instruments employed in this study were verified. The structural relationships showed that I-type epistemic curiosity showed a stronger influence on the design of the virtual game environment compared to D-type epistemic curiosity. Challenge was found to be negatively predicted by I-type epistemic curiosity, but positively predicted by D-type epistemic curiosity. Instant enjoyment was also found to play a significant mediating role between I-type epistemic curiosity and emotional engagement. It is suggested that future research should consider providing students with interesting contexts and challenging tasks as a critical approach to designing virtual game learning environments.

Developing a tablet-based brain-computer interface and robotic prototype for upper limb rehabilitation.

The current study explores the integration of a motor imagery (MI)-based BCI system with robotic rehabilitation designed for upper limb function recovery in stroke patients. We developed a tablet deployable BCI control of the virtual iTbot for ease of use. Twelve right-handed healthy adults participated in this study, which involved a novel BCI training approach incorporating tactile vibration stimulation during MI tasks. The experiment utilized EEG signals captured via a gel-free cap, processed through various stages including signal verification, training, and testing. The training involved MI tasks with concurrent vibrotactile stimulation, utilizing common spatial pattern (CSP) training and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) for signal classification. The testing stage introduced a real-time feedback system and a virtual game environment where participants controlled a virtual iTbot robot. Results showed varying accuracies in motor intention detection across participants, with an average true positive rate of 63.33% in classifying MI signals. The study highlights the potential of MI-based BCI in robotic rehabilitation, particularly in terms of engagement and personalization. The findings underscore the feasibility of BCI technology in rehabilitation and its potential use for stroke survivors with upper limb dysfunctions.

Application of hybrid SSVEP + P300 brain computer interface to control avatar movement in mobile virtual reality gaming environment

IntroductionThis research evaluated the feasibility of a hybrid SSVEP + P300 brain computer interface (BCI) for controlling the movement of an avatar in a virtual reality (VR) gaming environment (VR + BCI). Existing VR + BCI gaming environments have limitations, such as visual fatigue, a lower communication rate, minimum accuracy, and poor system comfort. Hence, there is a need for an optimized hybrid BCI system that can simultaneously evoke the strongest P300 and SSVEP potentials in the cortex. MethodsA BCI headset was coupled with a VR headset to generate a VR + BCI environment. The author developed a VR game in which the avatar’s movement is controlled using the user's cortical responses with the help of a BCI headset. Specifically designed visual stimuli were used in the proposed system to elicit the strongest possible responses from the user's brain. The proposed system also includes an auditory feedback mechanism to facilitate precise avatar movement. Results and conclusionsConventional P300 BCI and SSVEP BCI were also used to control the movements of the avatar, and their performance metrics were compared to those of the proposed system. The results demonstrated that the hybrid SSVEP + P300 BCI system was superior to the other systems for controlling avatar movement.

Special Issue on Multisensory eXtended Reality Integrating GPT as an Assistant for Low-Cost Virtual Reality Escape-Room Games.

This work explores the integration of GPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI, as an assistant in low-cost virtual escape games. The study focuses on the synergy between Virtual Reality (VR) and GPT, aiming to evaluate its performance in helping solve logical challenges within a specific context in the virtual environment while acting as a personalized assistant through voice interaction. The findings from user evaluations revealed both positive perceptions and limitations of GPT in addressing highly complex challenges, indicating its potential as a valuable tool for providing assistance and guidance in problem-solving situations. The study also identified areas for future improvement, including adjusting the difficulty of puzzles and enhancing GPT's contextual understanding. Overall, the research sheds light on the opportunities and challenges of integrating AI language models like GPT in virtual gaming environments, offering insights for further advancements in this field.

An Era in Jinling: Game Interactive Heritage Digital Art Exhibition

Summary The ‘An Era in Jinling’ Heritage Digital Art Exhibition, which focuses on the interactive virtual reality game environment created by the audience's experience, is an immersive digital art exhibition composed of the audience, the hardware system of the digital exhibition environment and the virtual digital environment presented. As a game-interactive immersive digital art exhibition in a heritage exhibition, it invites the audience to take a personal digital role in the exhibition and use the game-interactive method to enjoy an immersive digital exhibition. This paper aims to engage audiences through the ‘audience-centric’ exhibition of digital art, allowing them to use their senses to enjoy immersive exhibitions of digital art. This paper also demonstrates how digital art exhibitions of history can provide new insights to the general public in the preservation and exploration of cultural heritage.

The formation of foreign language competence of future teachers when working with flash cards

Problem statement . The modernization of higher education is a good ground for the use of electronic resources in ensuring accessibility, continuity and quality of teaching foreign languages. The use of interactive tools (simulators, flash cards, virtual whiteboards) meets the requirements to educational training programs for students of pedagogical directions and the challenges of modern society. A flash card is a card with a word, a concept, an image on one side and a translation on the other. The study aimed at substantiating the effectiveness of the use of flash cards for the formation of foreign language competence of future teachers. Methodology . Theoretical and methodological analysis and generalization were used to determine trends in the development of language education, the inclusion of informatization tools in foreign language activities and professional communication. The online platform Quizlet was chosen to work with ready-made flash cards and to create new thematic sets in digital format. The questions for the control work grouped into two blocks “Digital educational technologies” (50 points) and “Foreign language in professional communication” (50 points) were compiled. The study involved 54 students from Vyatka State University (the direction of 44.03.05 “Pedagogical education”, with two training profiles, bachelor's degree level). Pearson's chi-squared criterion was applied at the stage of statistical processing of the results. Results . The system of working with flash cards in the foreign language professional communication of future teachers is described: the study of the Quizlet functionality, working with ready-made sets of cards, automating and improving lexical units, developing their own thematic sets. In the course of independent work and network collaboration the students of the experimental group used Flashcards, Speller, Scatter, Quizlet Live modes. Statistically significant differences in the qualitative changes that occurred in the level of formation of foreign language competence were determined. Conclusion. The use of flash cards in the preparation of students of pedagogical specialties has a significant didactic potential for the development of their foreign language competence: the effect of immersion, competitiveness and obtaining positive emotions; resources for independent language learning in extracurricular time; overcoming the language barrier in the virtual gaming environment of information interaction. However, there are some drawbacks: monotony of forms for tests, lack of opportunity to practice pronunciation, partial support of operating modes in the mobile version.

Компьютерная игромания и кризис идентичности: социально-философский аспект

Gambling addiction as a social problem is becoming more and more relevant in conditions of almost complete transition of society to digital ways of interaction, when people spend most of their working and personal time on the Internet. The author considers computer game addiction as a factor affecting the processes of personal identification and self-identification. This is due to the fact that, immersed in a virtual gaming environment, a gamer has the opportunity to independently form his identity, using a game character and transferring its external data, attributes, character, habits and other parameters, ultimately on himself. In addition, interaction in the network community of players also does not require the demonstration of a real image, practically not limiting the player in the choice of means of personal identification. In the article, the author identified the signs of computer game addiction, including complete immersion in the game, inability to control their behavior during the game and immediately after leaving it, inability to manage time, loss of connection with reality, transformation of goals and interests, leading to an increase in aggression, implementation of antisocial behavior patterns, destruction of social ties and almost complete loss of skills of constructive interpersonal interaction. Substitution of values, loss of moral ideas and guidelines, inability to empathy, aggression, increased anxiety, isolation, decline in general intellectual level — these are not all the consequences of computer game addiction. According to the author, the prevention of cybernetic gambling addiction requires active information work with the population, as well as the development of a mechanism of legal regulation of online gambling.

IMPLEMENTATION OF VIRTUAL AND AUGMENTED REALITY TECHNOLOGIES, GAME SIMULATORS FOR FUTURE SPECIALISTS’ TRAINING

The article presents the outcomes of the research of virtual and augmented reality technologies percularities and the possibility of their implementation in the educational process. The main reasons and technologies of virtual reality in the field of information technologies are determined. The analysis of virtual reality programs has been carried out. To determine the relevance of the implementation of virtual, augmented reality and game simulator technologies into the educational process the survey was created by the authors and conducted remotely among the population of Khmelnytskyi region on the Google Forms. The results of the conducted survey suggest the answers to a number of questions, including whether our society is ready to implement virtual, augmented reality and game simulators into the educational process of future specialists’ training, as the field of virtual reality research continues to expand relentlessly, the integration of VR (Virtual Reality) with various areas of human life continues. In addition to the survey in Google Forms, a survey was also conducted to collect information about currently existing virtual environments, programs and game simulators that can be added to educational components or integrated into other educational systems not only in the field of education (Minecraft, Cooking Simulator, PC Building Simulator 1-2, Google Arts & Culture). It is quite possible to integrate these simulators under the educational components of certain specialized subject areas. The conducted survey makes it possible to assume that users are already ready not only for the integration of virtual environments in the game sphere, but also for the full involvement of virtual technologies and game environments in the application of educational components. VR (Virtual Reality) and AR (Augmented Reality) technologies are gaining popularity in cultural, educational, gaming, business environments and more. The disturbed issues are studied in education, which encourages a deeper insight into the essence of the processes that take place under the influence of the latest information and communication developments.

A virtual reality instrument to raise drivers’ awareness on safer driving through road tunnels

Studies reveal that drivers’ behavior is the most significant factor in road accidents worldwide. Regarding tunnels, which are the most critical element of road infrastructure, despite the significant efforts that have been conducted toward the enhancement of drivers’ education all these years, studies illustrate that there are still serious deficiencies need to be tackled. To address this issue, this research endeavor develops a virtual reality tool based on the serious game idea in order to inform and educate potential users about the specific rules and behavioral patterns that should govern their safe driving when passing through tunnels. To do so, the appropriate behavioral patterns are determined using applicable norms and guidelines while the specific educational requirements are identified. Following that, the novel tool for training users is developed. The tool consists of a virtual reality gaming environment based on the notion of serious games that simulates driving through a tunnel from a first-person perspective. Various scenarios are developed within this environment based on the knowledge gaps identified in the literature, with the aim of assessing users’ knowledge as well as educating them when required. The developed tool was tried by more than 50 drivers, professional and non-professional during tool’s launch activities. In particular, drivers who had recently obtained a driver’s license confirmed that such a tool would be especially useful in the context of their training. The ultimate goal of this study is to provide an efficient tool in order to support both practitioners and authorities to significantly improve the safety level of road tunnels by emphasizing on the driving behavior, since this is considered the most crucial component of each tunnel system.

Initial validation of the GUESS-18 for usability in virtual reality gaming environments: a pilot study

Virtual reality (VR) technology has developed rapidly in recent years with head-mounted displays (HMDs), which provide immersive VR experiences by inserting users into an artificially constructed digital world. However, there is currently no standardized tool for measuring usability in VR environments. The purpose of this study was to provide initial validation of the GUESS-18, a usability questionnaire for video games, for measuring usability of VR in a gaming environment. Participants played a racing game with an HMD in VR and a traditional monitor and completed the GUESS-18 and the System Usability Scale (SUS). Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to determine GUESS-18 validity. The Comparative Fit Index (CFI) and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) values indicate appropriate model fit, with values of 0.967 and 0.056, respectively. Internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) was satisfactory for all factors except for social connectivity. Scores from the GUESS-18 were significantly higher with VR by about 6.4%, but SUS scores were equivalent between display types. Playing the game in VR resulted in greater immersion and personal gratification than playing with the monitor. Overall, the GUESS-18 can measure usability of VR games as it distinguishes VR from traditional monitor environments and shows satisfactory validity and consistency.

Charisma™ virtual social training: A digital health platform and protocol

Low immersion virtual reality (LIVR) is a computer-generated, three-dimensional virtual environment that allows for authentic social interactions through a personal avatar, or digital representation of oneself. Lab-based delivery of LIVR social skills intervention has been shown to support social learning through controlled, targeted practice. Recent remote technological advancements allow LIVR-based social skills training to potentially overcome accessibility barriers by delivering to youth in their home. This study investigated the impact of 10-h of Charisma™ Virtual Social Training (CHARISMA-VST), a LIVR-based intervention, on social skill changes in children and adolescents who struggle socially via either in-person or remote training protocols. Specifically, the aims examined both the impact of training location (in-person vs remote access) and diagnosis (parent report of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis versus parent report of other non-ASD diagnosis) on objective measures of social skill change following CHARISMA-VST. Researchers delivered the CHARISMA-VST via Charisma 1.0, a customized virtual gaming environment. Sixty-seven participants (49 males, 18 females) between the ages of 9–17, with parent reported social challenges, completed 10, 1-h CHARISMA-VST sessions during which nine social cognitive strategies were taught and then practiced within a LIVR environment with interspersed social coaching. Four social cognitive domains were measured pre-post training: emotion recognition, social inferencing, social attribution, and social self-schemata. Results revealed improvements in emotion recognition, social inferencing, social attribution, and social self-schemata with medium to large effect sizes following the CHARISMA-VST. There was no moderating effect of training location on emotion recognition, social inferencing, and social self-schemata, suggesting comparable gains whether participants accessed the technology in their own homes or from a school or specialty center. There was no moderating effect of ASD versus non-ASD diagnosis on performance measures, suggesting CHARISMA-VST may be effective in improving social skills in individuals beyond its initially designed use focused on individuals with ASD. These encouraging findings from this pilot intervention study provide some of the first evidence of potential new virtual technology tools, as exemplified by CHARISMA-VST, to improve one of the most important aspects of human behavior—social skills and human connectedness in youth with a range of social competency challenges.

Evaluating the Ability of Congenital Upper Extremity Amputees to Control a Multi-Degree of Freedom Myoelectric Prosthesis

To determine whether children and adults with unilateral congenital upper limb amputation can control myoelectric prostheses with multiple degrees of freedom (DOF) using pattern recognition (PR) technology. Seven participants (age 9-62 years) with unilateral congenital transradial amputation were tested on both their residual and sound side limbs to determine proficiency in controlling a virtual prosthesis using electromyographic signals captured by an array of surface electrodes that were processed using PR technology. Proficiency was measured through a virtual environment game called the target achievement control test, in which the testing protocol asked participants to match increasingly complex prosthesis postures with 1,2, and 3 DOF. All the participants successfully created a PR calibration at 1, 2, and 3 DOF with their residual limb during testing, and no differences in calibration accuracy were observed when comparing the residual versus sound upper limbs. No differences were noted in the mean completion rate on the target achievement control test between the residual and sound limbs. Participants with a congenital upper limb amputation achieved PR control calibration of multi-DOF prostheses with proficiency and quality results of PR calibration that were comparable to those of their sound limb. This capability was observed in children as well as in adults. This demonstrates the potential for children and adults with a unilateral congenital transradial amputation to benefit from myoelectric prostheses with PR control. The results from this study highlight the potential for patients in this population to benefit from myoelectric prostheses with PR control. Persons with unilateral congenital upper limb amputations can be considered for provision of this technology andenrollment in future research activities.

Avatar-Based Self-Influence in a Traditional CMC Environment

Abstract. Dubbed the Proteus effect, research has shown that avatars influence user behavior in virtual reality and video game environments ( Yee & Bailenson, 2007 , 2009 ); however, does this same effect occur in the less dynamic but more prevalent traditional computer-mediated communication (CMC)? As CMC evolves to allow user avatars, the question of its influence increases in importance. This study examines the Proteus effect in traditional CMC, which tends to be dominated by text-based communication. Embodiment is presented as a moderator for the Proteus effect. Two methods for inducing embodiment (via choice and via familiarizing tasks) were tested along with a proposed model for the Proteus effect in social media environments. A 2 (avatar) × 2 (embodiment by choice) × 2 (embodiment by familiarizing tasks) between-subject design with 406 participants showed a significant main effect of familiarizing tasks on embodiment, an interaction effect of avatar embodiment and avatar condition on aggressive behavior, and an unpredicted main effect of embodiment on aggressive attitude.

Target Maintenance in Gaming via Saliency Augmentation: An Early-Stage Scotoma Simulation Study Using Virtual Reality (VR)

This study addresses the importance of salience placement before or after scotoma development for an efficient target allocation in the visual field. Pre-allocation of attention is a mechanism known to induce a better gaze positioning towards the target. Three different conditions were tested: a simulated central scotoma, a salience augmentation surrounding the scotoma and a baseline condition without any simulation. All conditions were investigated within a virtual reality VR gaming environment. Participants were tested in two different orders, either the salient cue was applied together with the scotoma before being presented with the scotoma alone or the scotoma in the wild was presented before and, then, with the augmentation around it. Both groups showed a change in gaze behaviour when saliency was applied. However, in the second group, salient augmentation also induced changes in gaze behaviour for the scotoma condition without augmentation, gazing above and outside the scotoma following previous literature. These preliminary results indicate salience placement before developing an advanced stage of scotoma can induce effective and rapid training for efficient target maintenance during VR gaming. The study shows the potential of salience and VR gaming as therapy for early AMD patients.

Design and Development of Gesture Based Gaming Console

Game controllers have been planned and improved throughout the years to be as easy to understand as could reasonably be expected. A game controller is a gadget utilized with games or theatre setups to give contribution to a computer game, commonly to control an item or character in the game. Information gadgets that have been named game controllers incorporate consoles, mice, gamepads, joysticks, and so on. A few controllers are intended to be purposely best for one sort of game, for example, guiding wheels for driving games, move cushions for moving games, and light firearms for firing games. The aim here is to create a virtual environment, where the user is appealed by various gesture controls in a gaming application. A Gesture is an action that has to be seen or felt by someone else (here a PC) and has to convey some piece of information. Now obviously, to create a virtual gaming environment, we need to create a real-time gaming application first. We’ll be designing our 2D and 3D gaming applications through Unity 3D video game engine. The data used in this project is primarily from the Ego Hands dataset. After an input has been taken, and the consequent action has been performed, we’ll use this activity for future development of the model by using Tensor-Flow. The input will be taken through the webcam of the PC which will be accessed and combined to the gaming application and hands dataset by WebGL. WebGL is a JavaScript API for rendering interactive 2D and 3D graphics within any compatible web browser without the use of plug-ins.

Exploring the effects of psychological ownership, gaming motivations, and primary/secondary control on online game addiction

Online gaming has grown to be a very popular electronic entertainment for people throughout the world. However, the burgeoning popularity of online games in some cases leads to addiction, a phenomenon that has received considerable attention. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of psychological ownership, gaming motivation, and primary–secondary control on online game addiction (OGA). Based on 436 valid responses collected from online questionnaires, the partial least squares structural equation modeling approach was employed to test the research model. Findings show that the motivations of achievement and escapism are positively associated with psychological ownership toward a virtual gaming environment. Of particular interest is the inverted-U relationship between psychological ownership and OGA, suggesting that too little or too much psychological ownership is associated with less OGA. Finally, individuals with high levels of primary (secondary) control are more (less) inclined to be addicted to online games.This study provides practical implications and strategies to address the alarming increase in OGA. First, families, communities, and universities should encourage outdoor activities, such as sports competitions, and offline cosplay games to address the need for achievement and escapism. Second, individuals who play online games for relaxation should choose a relatively easy or hard mode to avoid game addiction. Finally, parents, teachers, and employers are encouraged to pay attention to individuals who have a high level of primary control since they can be susceptible to OGA. This study provides several theoretical contributions. First, the study enriches OGA and the gaming motivation literature by exploring the roles of gaming motivation, psychological ownership, and personal control strategies as they can be a factor in OGA. In addition, this study is the first to investigate the dark side of psychological ownership in terms of negative outcomes for OGA. This study also advances the personal control strategy literature by understanding the roles of primary and secondary control on OGA.

Exploring the Effects of Psychological Ownership, Gaming Motivations, and Primary/Secondary Control on Online Game Addiction

Online gaming has grown to be a very popular electronic entertainment for people throughout the world. However, the burgeoning popularity of online games in some cases leads to addiction, a phenomenon that has received considerable attention. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of psychological ownership, gaming motivation, and primary–secondary control on online game addiction (OGA). Based on 436 valid responses collected from online questionnaires, the partial least squares structural equation modeling approach was employed to test the research model. Findings show that the motivations of achievement and escapism are positively associated with psychological ownership toward a virtual gaming environment. Of particular interest is the inverted-U relationship between psychological ownership and OGA, suggesting that too little or too much psychological ownership is associated with less OGA. Finally, individuals with high levels of primary (secondary) control are more (less) inclined to be addicted to online games. This study provides practical implications and strategies to address the alarming increase in OGA. First, families, communities, and universities should encourage outdoor activities, such as sports competitions, and offline cosplay games to address the need for achievement and escapism. Second, individuals who play online games for relaxation should choose a relatively easy or hard mode to avoid game addiction. Finally, parents, teachers, and employers are encouraged to pay attention to individuals who have a high level of primary control since they can be susceptible to OGA. This study provides several theoretical contributions. First, the study enriches OGA and the gaming motivation literature by exploring the roles of gaming motivation, psychological ownership, and personal control strategies as they can be a factor in OGA. In addition, this study is the first to investigate the dark side of psychological ownership in terms of negative outcomes for OGA. This study also advances the personal control strategy literature by understanding the roles of primary and secondary control on OGA.

Игроизация пространственно-временного бытия человека в контексте виртуальной реальности

The article considers the spatial and temporal changes manifested in the virtual form of gamification of existence. The definition of the virtual form of gamification of existence is given. On the basis of included observation, the spatial and temporal transformations of socio-cultural reality are rethought, and the philosophical-anthropological approach makes it possible to establish the dependence of the strategies of individual and group behaviour on the inclusion of game actions in the virtual existence. The analysis of the virtual form of gamification of existence as an event and as a co-being is given. The virtual form of gamification of existence is supported by artificially created events, presented as serious incidents, replaced by new ones for tomorrow. The transformation of the structure of free time is considered, which allows transferring most of the life of a contemporary into leisure. The spatial and temporal model of the virtual form of gamification of human existence visually and mentally dissolves the contemporary in the virtual gaming environment. A contemporary, acting out the events, appears in the form of bricolage, multiple images demonstrating strategies of both personal and group behavior. In the virtual interface, time becomes human-sized, allowing in others to see themselves. The space-time boundaries of the virtual form of gamification of existence negate the authenticity of real life, replacing and displacing it with experimental simulation that forms dependence.

СЦЕНАРИИ ВНУТРИИГРОВОЙ ИНТЕРНЕТ-КОММУНИКАЦИИ (НА ПРИМЕРЕ MMORPG «WORLD OF WARCRAFT»)

The game can be viewed as a way of organizing the subjects who carry out communication to perform game tasks. Virtual gaming environments have become commonplace for Internet users. The article examines MMORPG as one of the genres of Internet games, describes typical situations of social interaction between players. The empirical research is carried out on the basis of speech communication between Russian-speaking players in three typical situations (trips to raids and dungeons; trade; intra-guild communication) in MMORPG «World of Warcraft». The findings suggest that typical game situations differ from each other by a set of leading speech genres.

Environmental impact and performance assessment of a new Zigbee‐based shotgun training system

AbstractOnly a few research works have studied the risks involving young athletes in shooting activities such as noise and risk of projectile impact. Besides, limited studies have explored the environmental concerns caused by remaining projectile fragments scattered into the environment. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in integrating computing, modeling, and IoT‐based applications and used connected add‐ons (e.g., steams Virtual Reality VR, virtual guns, and game controllers) in sports activities displayed in virtual reality gaming environments. The aim of this paper is, first, to present a multi‐aspect Zigbee‐based protocol system used to assess and to improve reaction time and score prediction abilities of Shotgun sports practitioners indoor and outdoor. Second, B‐percept would be presented as a training solution to reduce environmental scattered wastes of used Clays. After 8 weeks of training, there was significant improvement (p < .001) of participants' reaction time by using the B‐percept simulator. In addition, improvement in real clay shotgun results (p < .0002) but it was difficult to correctly predict more than 60% of correct scores after the test. The results of this study encourage continuing to improve the B‐percept to use wireless moving targets for training purposes.