TSUMIKI CASTLE: interactive VR system using toy blocks

Abstract

This paper proposes a Virtual Reality application for playing with blocks. Players can create their own decorative castle in a virtual world, by only stacking simple physical blocks in the system. We designed a tangible interface such that a player can experience seamless interaction between the real world and a virtual world when playing with toy blocks. The system gives players a revolutionarily enjoyable experience where blocks are stack in the real world and blocks stacked in the real world are dynamically transformed into a castle in a virtual world. The system enables players to create a realistic castle that reflects the shape of the blocks. Moreover, the system smoothly connects the physical-world to the virtual-world by means of a tangible interface and real-time computer graphics. The system was exhibited at "Ishikawa Dream Festival" for two days. The evaluation of the system was done survey by a carried out using questionnaire at the event. The evaluation found that the system was easy to play and most of the players enjoyed the system.