Is a dark virtual environment scary?

This study investigated the effects of nighttime lighting conditions and stress on the affective appraisal of a virtual environment (VE). The effective application of VEs in emotionally intense simulations requires precise control over their characteristics that affect the user's emotions and behavior. It is known that humans have an innate fear...

Engagement and EMG in serious gaming: Experimenting with sound and dynamics in the levee patroller training game

We measured the effects of sound and visual dynamic elements on user experience of a serious game, with special interest in engagement and arousal. Engagement was measured through questionnaires and arousal through the SAM and electromyography (EMG). We adopted the EMG of the corrugator (frown muscle) and the zygomatic muscle (smile muscle) as...

Thunderstorms in my computer: The effect of visual dynamics and sound in a 3D environment

We assessed the effects of the addition of dynamic visual elements and sounds to a levee patroller training game on the appraisal of the environment and weather conditions, the engagement of the users and their performance. Results show that the combination of visual dynamics and sounds best conveys the impression of severe weather conditions...

Engagement and EMG in serious gaming: Experimenting with sound and dynamics in the levee patroller training game

We measured the effects of sound and visual dynamic elements on user experience of a serious game, with special interest in engagement and arousal. Engagement was measured through questionnaires and arousal through the SAM and electromyography (EMG). We adopted the EMG of the corrugator (frown muscle) and the zygomatic muscle (smile muscle) as...

Cybersickness affects the affective appraisal of a virtual environment

It is well known that navigation through VEs may have a negative effect on the physical well-being of observers, by inducing cybersickness. In this study we investigated if cybersickness interacts with the appraisal of a simulated environment. Using the Half-Life 2 level editor we created a VE representing fictitious rural and urban areas. This...