Investigating the user experience of IDN based virtual reality environments for solving complex issues

ABSTRACT Interactive Digital Narratives (IDNs) have evolved as a medium to address complex societal challenges due to its integration in advance technologies such as VR. Recent research has shown that VR provides a suitable environment to implement IDNs allowing the end users to experience narratives in a systematic and participatory setting. However, research is needed to understand the perceived user experience of these narrative experiences. This research highlights the role of IDNs in VR designed for natural hazard risk mitigation and how it affects the perceived user experience. we present two case studies quantifying the user experience of an IDN-based emergency preparedness VR system for solving the complex issue of natural hazards. The results demonstrate how spatial presence, cognitive behaviour and engagement is positively influenced by incorporating IDNs in VR. The research is part of a project called World of Wild Waters (WoWW) and illustrates the importance of narrative representations in VREs showing that IDN can be considered an essential factor in shaping the positive experience of end-users.