Fearless VR: Can you overcome your fear?
Presentation Type
Abstract
Faculty Advisor
Rui Li
Access Type
Event
Start Date
25-4-2025 1:30 PM
End Date
25-4-2025 2:29 PM
Description
Virtual reality video games are a revolutionary way to experience different perspectives, opening the door to new ways to experience immersive storytelling. In this game development capstone project, students were given the opportunity to collaborate on a semester-long video game project to tell a meaningful story through interactive technology. Using this prompt as a guide, a virtual reality horror game was developed so that it allows players to face their fears firsthand in order to overcome them and beat the game. The game, “Fearless,” is designed so that the player can customize their experience, selecting different fears at the start of the game for a horror experience catered to them. The options provided are based on studies that were found on both common and niche fears, each designed to bring the game to life and evoke strong authentic reactions from the player. By utilizing virtual reality technology, players can fully immerse themselves in the story and environment, elevating the game to a level that is much less attainable with conventional video game technology. The players get to experience the story from a whole new perspective. They are not just controlling the character in the game, they are the character. This heightened level of immersion increases stakes for the player, making them think harder about their decisions and feel the repercussions of them as if it is reality. For “Fearless,” this is essential in achieving its goal to help players overcome their fear and leave the game with a lasting impression.
Fearless VR: Can you overcome your fear?
Virtual reality video games are a revolutionary way to experience different perspectives, opening the door to new ways to experience immersive storytelling. In this game development capstone project, students were given the opportunity to collaborate on a semester-long video game project to tell a meaningful story through interactive technology. Using this prompt as a guide, a virtual reality horror game was developed so that it allows players to face their fears firsthand in order to overcome them and beat the game. The game, “Fearless,” is designed so that the player can customize their experience, selecting different fears at the start of the game for a horror experience catered to them. The options provided are based on studies that were found on both common and niche fears, each designed to bring the game to life and evoke strong authentic reactions from the player. By utilizing virtual reality technology, players can fully immerse themselves in the story and environment, elevating the game to a level that is much less attainable with conventional video game technology. The players get to experience the story from a whole new perspective. They are not just controlling the character in the game, they are the character. This heightened level of immersion increases stakes for the player, making them think harder about their decisions and feel the repercussions of them as if it is reality. For “Fearless,” this is essential in achieving its goal to help players overcome their fear and leave the game with a lasting impression.
Comments
Poster presentation at the 2025 Student Research Symposium.