Game Design

1 year ago by Utopia W

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Assignment 2 Report

Wang Yan

588841

Introduction:

The VR app uses virtual interface technology to provide a novel way to interact with museum exhibits up close. Users can easily interact with digital exhibits in a virtual environment that mimics the physical environment.

Description of the application:

For example, immersive and interactive museum and gallery experiences provide audiences with a real, tangible experience that enables them to step into another world. (Cornacchio, 2021)

This application is a VR program for museum exhibits. A general problem in museums is the limited accessibility to artifacts by museum visitors, due to their fragile nature, their uniqueness, or just the lack of physical space for exhibiting the objects. Moreover, only in extreme cases, visitors are allowed to touch the exhibits. (Panayiotis Kyriakou, 2019)

In order to allow users to get closer to the exhibits and overcome the constraints of not being able to interact with the exhibits in the real world, I will use interface technology to provide a way to interact with 3D replicas of museum exhibits. Due to the immersive feeling that can be generated by using VR technology, users can easily interact with digital exhibits in a virtual environment that mimics the physical environment, thereby enhancing the experience of this virtual real touch exhibit. The VR program simulates the physical displays, allowing users to touch exhibits at close range and from multiple angles for better observation and appreciation. When users interact with exhibits through interface technology, a screen showing specific cultural relic information will pop up, which is convenient for users to learn more details about the artifact. VR also reduces the problem of the distance between potential tourists and a tourist destination, since it provides them with closer-to-reality information, improving their understanding of the destination before visiting it (Accenture, 2018; Kim & Hall, 2019), which, in the case of museums, could have similar effects. In fact, one can argue that having walked through the exhibits virtually helps the visitor to increase their appreciation of these relics when they are physically onsite and increases their understanding of the different displays since they have already viewed them once virtually and was able to take their time to fully understand the significance of each item at their own pace being able to hover over each item to display information or even pick up the items to examine them more closely. Additionally, VR improves the tourists’ experiences by facilitating their interaction with destinations (Kang & Gretzel, 2012). Finally, VR offers tourists an educational and entertainment experience in a complete virtual environment in which to immerse themselves (Jung et al., 2016; Lee et al., 2020).

Interactive Design:

The app is designed with two modes of interaction:

1. When the user touches the exhibit through the touch controllers, the relevant information of the exhibit will be displayed on the wall. Traditional museum display boards usually provide limited information. With the 3D touch controllers, users can browse through the virtual information platform providing richer knowledge of cultural relics.

2. Users can grasp and rotate exhibits to appreciate and rotate them in different angles. Transporting a user from the real world to a digital virtual world, users can treat precious cultural relics as if they were display items, to interact and explore.

Storyboard Design:

Technology development:

1. Hover: When a hand hovers over a display object. Assuming that the surface of a display item is an interactive area, when the hand touches the item (hovering over the interactive area of the item), Hover is triggered, and the exhibit information is be displayed in different forms, text, pictures audio or a video can be played.

2. Grab: We proceed to the second exhibit, the Greek statue. When the hand enters the touch area, you can press a specific key to trigger the pickup. Picking up the exhibit allows the user to manipulate the object to examine it closer and view it from different angles.

Descriptions of 3D Models:

Bust of Anubis. This is an interactive exhibit. Used to interact with users and view information.

Greek statue. This is an interactive exhibit. Used to interact with users and view information.

Painting exhibits. Provide users with interaction and observation information.

Soldier bust. This is an interactive exhibit. Used to interact with users and view information.

References:

Cornacchio, D., 2021. Immersive art experiences: What makes them so engaging. Experiential Marketing | Create Unforgettable Brand Moments. [Online] Available at: https://wearesparks.com/blog/closer-lookimmersive-art-experiences

Panayiotis K., & Sorin H., (2019) Can I touch this? Using Natural Interaction in a Museum Augmented Reality System. Digital Applications in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, Volume ISSN 2212-0548. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.daach.2018.e00088

Kim, M. J., & Hall, C. M. (2019). A hedonic motivation model in virtual reality tourism: Comparing visitors and non-visitors. International Journal of Information Management, 46, 236–249. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJINFOMGT.2018.11.016

Kang, M., & Gretzel, U. (2012). Effects of podcast tours on tourist experiences in a national park. Tourism Management, 33(2), 440–455. https://doi.org/10.1016/J. TOURMAN.2011.05.005

Lee, H., Jung, T. H., tom Dieck, M. C., & Chung, N. (2020). Experiencing immersive virtual reality in museums. Information and Management, 57(5). https://doi.org/ 10.1016/J.IM.2019.103229

Unity 3D museum scene: https://www.aigei.com/s?q=%E5%B1%95#resContainer

Unity 3D model packages:

https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/props/interior/lowpoly-anubis-free-1913...

https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/props/egyptian-statue-of-a-male-figure-...

https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/props/greek-statue-190814#description

https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/environments/historic/greek-temple-vase...

https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/props/furniture/classic-picture-frame-5...