Why ‘Embodiment’ Outranks ‘Immersion’ in Importance

In our Inside XR Design series, we delve into shining examples of exceptional XR design. Today, we’re diving into the game Synapse to unpack the fascinating concept of embodiment and its significance in crafting compelling VR experiences.

Defining Embodiment

Welcome back to Inside XR Design! Today, we’re focusing on Synapse, a PSVR 2 exclusive created by nDreams. But instead of unpacking the game’s explosive action and strategic design, we’ll explore it through a less flashy but crucial concept: embodiment. Stick with me, even if it sounds abstract at first—it’ll be worth it.

Embodiment refers to the sensation of being physically present in a virtual environment. It’s the feeling that you’re part of the world you’re seeing. Now, you might wonder, isn’t that what immersion is? It’s a common mix-up, but there’s a difference.

Immersion captures your full attention. Like when a gripping film draws you in so deeply, you forget about everything else. Yet, even in the most captivating movie, you’ll never feel like you’re in it physically. That’s where embodiment steps in. While immersion is all about attention, embodiment deals with your sense of physical presence in relation to the virtual world.

Most VR games easily grab your attention by engaging your sight and sound—they have you immersed as soon as you put on the headset. Yet, some games, like Synapse, go further. They transcend mere immersion, creating a feeling that your body is genuinely occupying the virtual space.

Cover You Can Feel

At first glance, Synapse may seem like a typical VR shooter, but some thoughtful design choices strongly enhance its sense of embodiment. One particular feature worth spotlighting is its approach to cover. In most VR shooters, hiding behind a wall merely stops bullets; there’s no tactile engagement with the cover itself. Synapse flips this by allowing players to physically reach for a wall, pulling themselves into it for cover. This interaction feels intuitive and significantly enriches the game.

You’re not merely viewing or controlling motion with a thumbstick; you’re physically engaging with the virtual architecture. By grabbing the wall to shield yourself, it intuitively becomes part of your proprioceptive model—your brain’s map of body movement.

Understanding Proprioception

Let’s untangle what proprioception means. Picture this: a cat approaching a table and, without a second thought, navigating its ear away from an obstruction. It’s a prime example of proprioception—an unconscious awareness of body positioning relative to the surrounding elements. In VR, leveraging this sensation helps foster embodiment, as shown in Synapse’s cover system.

This game cleverly uses walls: as you naturally pull against them, the proprioceptive sense kicks in, mapping how your interaction shapes your presence in the space.

Mags Out

Let’s shift gears a bit. Synapse also leverages embodiment in its innovative reloading system. Instead of fiddling with inventory menus, you grab the floating magazines and reload by sliding them back into your weapon—a design approach that might seem simple but fits perfectly with the game’s science-fiction universe and dynamic pace.

What’s impressive is how this complements the cover mechanics. Since the game’s cover system requires one hand, you’re left wondering about reloading. Ingeniously, Synapse allows reloading by pushing magazines against the wall, seamlessly integrating both mechanics.

This interaction not only simplifies gameplay but expands your sensory experience with the virtual environment. Your awareness of the wall’s proximity becomes heightened, weaving into your proprioceptive map and deepening the feeling of embodiment.

When elements of the game environment start to feel tactile and interactive, the virtual world becomes more believable. You begin to sense these virtual constructs not just as visual inputs but as spaces you physically navigate. And if you thought interacting with walls was engaging, wait until you experience the game’s telekinesis—taking immersion to unparalleled heights.

Stay tuned for the next page, where we stretch our capabilities even further with this remarkable feature!