Abstract

Virtual Reality (VR) headsets have become affordable and accessible for home use, offering a variety of entertainment options and providing a level of immersion that surpasses traditional entertainment hardware. A popular game genre often played in VR, though not limited to it, is exergames. Exergames aim to motivate the player to move, requiring some level of physical exertion. If performed correctly and regularly, exergames can positively impact the player’s health. While newer VR technologies enable a greater range of movement and higher levels of immersion, potentially enhancing these health benefits further, they can also introduce challenges. As the player becomes more isolated and detached from the real environment, the risk of disorientation and collision with objects, walls, or people increases. Especially quicker movements, as performed in exergames, can be associated with a higher risk of collision. To avoid this, the player might focus on avoiding collisions instead of the game. This concept described as collision anxiety (CA) has received little attention in research so far, necessitating an examination of its fundamental principles and influencing variables. Two variables that may influence CA in exergames are the pace of the game and the extent of movement required from the player, as quicker movements are associated with higher risks of collisions. This thesis aims to develop and test a VR exergame to further explore factors influencing collision anxiety. Two versions of the exergame will be developed for comparison. The first version is slower-paced and requires less movement, focusing on upper-body activity. The second version, however, is faster-paced with a greater extent of movement, including sweeping gestures as well as dodging and ducking maneuvers, thus engaging the full body. A study with a within-subjects design will be conducted to test the influence of differences in pace and extent of movement.