Liah Castillo
Environment Design: VRVR Golf
ENVIRONMENT DESIGN (2018)
Simon Fraser University: VRVR Golf
3D modeler lead and programmer testing the controls
Project
VRVR Golf allows the exploration of a virtual environment without the risk of simulator sickness: a common consequence of virtual reality headsets. It causes one to feel ill during continuous movement within a virtual space while being still in their physical space.
Through integrating teleportation with golf, the user can transport themselves wherever the ball lands. This allows for virtual travel without users feeling unwell, enhanced by the added engagement of interactive items within the terrain and the game of golf.
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VRVR Golf was created by a team of four in Simon Fraser University’s Immersive Environments course which was featured in CTV News.
Primary Role, Environment and Game Designer:
created the environment which includes: the atmosphere, lighting, terrain, water, sound, and vegetation. These were strategically placed in accordance to the game's level design, balancing the world's aesthetic experience and gameplay complexity. These assets were also used to create the promotional poster.
The mechanics were programmed by two teammates while play testing was a shared task. Videography was led by another teammate while editing and sound was a shared task.
Collaboration:
Tools:
ADOBE | Photoshop, Illustrator, Premier, After Effects
UNITY | UX/UI, Compiler, Rendering
MAYA | 3D Modelling
Segment of our team's poster for virtual reality showcase
A screenshot of Unity during environment building
Challenge
How can the risk of simulation sickness be reduced or removed while allowing for an enjoyable immersive virtual experience?
Solution
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Teleportation is a common strategy used by existing virtual reality games
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By using fade to black or white type transitions during teleportation, removing the need of emulated movement within the virtual world, such as flying or gliding, users understand they are moving in space
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The removal or reduction of virtual movement that significantly differs from physical movement, ensures the comfort of the user and makes them safe from simulation sickness
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A visually pleasing environment, open space, and interactive objects is enough to entice the user to explore, making the game of golf an added layer of excitement to their teleportation abilities
Process
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Group formation
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Project concept ideation
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Test environment for game mechanics
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Test environment for visuals
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First level creation
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Second level creation
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User testing
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Adding bonus mechanics: being able to use a tennis racket, hockey stick, bat, or sword instead of a golf club
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Tutorial level creation
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User testing
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Showcase
A preliminary sketch of the environment of VRVRGolf's second level.
A preliminary sketch of the environment of VRVRGolf's third level.
Sources
SHOWCASE SOUNDTRACK
Smile, by Sappheiros.
CITATION: Simulation Sickness
Duzmanska, Natalia, et al. “Can Simulator Sickness Be Avoided? A Review on Temporal Aspects of Simulator Sickness.” Frontiers in Psychology, Frontiers Media S.A., 6 Nov. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6232264/.
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TEXTURES AND SOUNDS SOURCE DOCUMENT
3D modeler and coder (behind the camera) testing the golf club and ball