Virtual weather systems: measuring impact within videogame environments

PubDate: January 2017

Teams: Griffith University

Writers: Scott Roberts；Dale Patterson

PDF: Virtual weather systems: measuring impact within videogame environments

Abstract

This paper describes a study of the impact of rich weather systems within interactive virtual environments. Increasing realism within videogames creates the necessity for more precise simulation of “real-life” environments. To experimentally test the value of weather, two videogames were developed to explore the role of weather in the perception of immersion and realism of the virtual environment. Each environment was built using the same virtual space, edited to portray different levels of weather. The first videogame (the control environment) contained a static weather system that consisted of blue skies and limited clouds that did not change. The second videogame was designed specifically to mimic a changing storm. The extended graphics, used to simulate this environment included rain, dark clouds, puddles, trees moving in the wind, flashes of lightning and audible thunder. An experimental randomized control trial of 37 participants was carried out and involved each participant engaging with one videogames (control or rich weather simulation). Results from the trial showed the rich weather simulation performed better in terms of immersion and realism whilst not changing the playability or environment factors. The results also indicate a strong preference for the rich weather simulation in direct comparison to a static environment.