VRzard is a project focused on investigating how brain-computer interface influences player’s immersion. We designed and implemented an escape room-themed game in which superpowers are activated according to the mental state of a player.
To do this, we used the EEG headband with a VR headset. Two mental states are recognised: focused and relaxed. In the game, the player uses telekinesis and alternative vision skills to solve consecutive puzzles. Both of the skills are controlled either with buttons on the controllers or the player’s levels of focus or relaxation (there comes the EEG). To ensure narrative validity, we associated the increased focus with the telekinesis, and the relaxation with the enhanced vision. The gameplay consists of 4 puzzles, where the first two act as tutorials in operating the special abilities. The remaining two require the player to use both abilities more than once. The game takes ca. 30 minutes to complete.
we found that controlling the game with mental states enhances the in-game immersion and attracts the player’s engagement. At the same time, using BCIs did not impose additional cognitive workload.
You can read the whole paper in Publications