Towards a narrative theory of virtual reality

Virtual Reality (VR), by its nature and characteristics, is of specific interest to the AI community, particularly in the domains of Storytelling and Intelligent Characters. We argue that VR must be considered a particular narrative medium alongside Theatre, Literature or Cinema. This paper reviews relevant work in narrative theory from Plato onwards, including the work and theories of literary critics [1], cinema critics [2–4] and theatrical dramaturges [5], and analyses the specific characteristics of VR relevant to this theory. Less studied media such as Live Role Playing Games, improvisational drama and participatory drama are also considered. Finally, this document argues for a participatoryprocess-oriented narrative, with particular attention to the specificities and particularities of stories and their possible representation, adapted to the narrative medium Virtual Reality.     

Unobtrusive vehicle motion prediction cues reduced simulator sickness during passive travel in a driving simulator

This study investigated cues that permit prediction of turns during passive movement through a virtual environment. Effects on simulator sickness (SS), presence and enjoyment were examined. Subjects were exposed to complex visual motion through a cartoon-like simulated environment in a driving simulator. Forward velocity remained constant and the motion path was the same across all experimental conditions. Using a within-subject design, we examined visual paths that provided different levels of cue salience – detailed, simplified and no cues – for the upcoming simulated vehicle motion. Following each trial, participants completed questionnaires on SS, presence and enjoyment. After all of the trials were completed, a debriefing determined participants' perceptions of vehicle motion attributes and their awareness of the prediction cues. The results showed that SS in the no-cue condition was significantly greater than that in the conditions that provided vehicle motion cues. Presence and enjoyment responses were not different across the conditions. No participants reported differences between prediction cue conditions or recognized that the vehicle motion followed the same path across trials. However, participants tended to report that the motion was smoother for the detailed-cue than the no-cue condition. Participants ranked turn predictability as higher in conditions with prediction cues. The results support the hypothesis that unobtrusive and unreported motion cues may alleviate SS in a virtual environment.     

Knowledge search and people with high epistemic curiosity

Porter sites have tried to increase their business potentials by helping users easily engage in diverse online activities such as search, entertainment, online communities, and others. Knowledge search engine is one of the most successful killer applications increasing user loyalty. However, most studies have independently focused on search engine technology such as search keyword algorithm, presentation of information and user characteristics such as cognitive style, search experiences, and skill levels. However, these previous studies lack an integrated understanding of causal links among critical factors predicting user motives and intention involving more situation-specific user characteristics. To fill these gaps in the literature, the present study focuses on whether knowledge characteristics such as specialization, preciseness, and diversity, and system characteristics such as interactivity, responsiveness, and communication richness are important in forming user motives and intention. The present study also identifies a moderating role of epistemic curiosity in the links between motives and intention. Two hundred and fifty-five data from Korean university students confirmed that knowledge and services characteristics such as specialty, preciseness, diversity, communication richness improve user motives, which have a positive impact on intention. Epistemic curiosity has a moderating effect on the links between motives and intention. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed in conclusion.     

When and why is perceived congruity important for in-game advertising in fantasy games?

The present study investigates how the perceived congruity (the perceived level of fit between the execution of the in-game ad and the game environment) of in-game advertising (IGA) in fantasy games affects both players' attitude towards the IGA and their play intention of the fantasy game in which it is embedded, and how these effects are moderated by perceived IGA interactivity. An experimental study with actual fantasy game players (N = 619) following a 2 (Congruent IGA − Incongruent IGA) × 2 (Interactive IGA – Non-interactive IGA) between-subjects design was conducted. The results indicate that the perceived congruity of IGA reduces the perceived intrusiveness of the IGA and positively contributes to the perceived realism of the fantasy game. Intrusiveness and realism, in turn, influence players’ attitude towards the IGA and their play intention of the fantasy game. Whilst the positive effect of perceived congruity through intrusiveness is reinforced by the perceived interactivity of the IGA, the effect of perceived congruity through realism is attenuated by perceived interactivity.     

Interactive lectures: Effective teaching and learning in lectures using wireless networks

Among the severe instructional shortcomings of lectures is their lack of interactivity. To overcome these problems, the learning environment of the interactive lecture is introduced, in which students and lecturer interact by using mobile computers in a wireless network. In an experimental study, 44 students participated in interactive and in conventional lecture meetings. A quiz service that allowed question to be posted, students’ answers to be evaluated, and the results to be presented graphically, was implemented on mobile computers. The participants rated the interactive condition better, also reporting higher levels of attention, activity and perceived learning success for this condition. Objective measures indicated a slight but insignificant difference toward better learning results in the interactive condition.     

虚拟现实技术及其在采矿中的应用

虚拟现实技术是一种综合计算机图形技术、多媒体技术、传感器技术、并行实时计算技术、人工智能、仿真技术等多种学科的最新技术。介绍了虚拟现实技术的基本概念及技术组成,论述了实现虚拟现实的关键技术及其在采矿中的应用。     

人工智能在VR影片交互性上的应用策略

交互性是VR影片最核心的特征之一。近几年,随着VR影片的迅速发展,交互性的重要性日益凸显,但围绕交互性的创新与应用仍处于探索阶段。本文从以叙事驱动的交互和以技术驱动的交互等方面分析交互性策略,介绍了基于人工智能的VR影片交互策略,并结合当前VR影片中在交互性创作中遇到的问题,从叙事角度和技术方法展开分析,提出了可行性的解决方案与应对思路。     

Kernel for a responsive and graphical user interface

A kernel that facilitates building graphical and responsive user interfaces for application programs has been constructed. A display tree representing the structure of the 2-dimen-sional screen image is defined. Each node contains an input procedure, an output procedure and links to their arguments. This display tree is the only interface between the user and the application program. For viewing purposes, the display tree can be ‘painted’ onto any viewport. The output routines attached to the nodes are invoked to produce the image. The arguments found in the ancestor nodes can be thought of as shared graphical attributes. Upon each input event, the display tree is traversed to determine which node is touched by the cursor. The input procedure attached to that node is then invoked. The use of a library with standard attached procedures (e.g. for screen editing and error checking) leads to a system that behaves uniformly across applications. Some demonstration programs, based on this kernel, show the very dynamic screen communication that can be achieved.