Tag: Google Earth VR

/ Simulation Sickness

Tunnel vision + fixed horizon wireframe

recorded by Many A True Nerd of Google Earth VR

Google Earth VR features a tunnel vision methods that reveals a static horizon wireframe around the user.

Strengths:

Very effective for eliminating risks of motion sickness

Weaknesses

Can be more visually obtrusive

For More Info

See the full talk by Google’s Adam Glazier, Nadav Ashkenazi, and Per Karlsson on the UX design behind Google Earth VR at the 2017 VRDC session.

More on

Simulation Sickness

/ Locomotion

Cone drag

recorded by GDC of Google Earth VR

When using the locomotion method of pulling or dragging an avatar through space, cone dragging is a correction trick that moves users vertically in space based on where they’re pulling themselves towards, in order to avoid running into buildings or mountains.

Strengths:

Fast, efficient, and natural for covering great distances

Avoids running into buildings, mountains or other obstacles

Quick to learn for new users

Weaknesses

It can cause simulation sickness, which is why in this case it was used with a minimized field of view during movement

For More Info

See the full talk by Google’s Adam Glazier, Nadav Ashkenazi, and Per Karlsson on the UX design behind Google Earth VR at the 2017 VRDC session.

More on

Locomotion Methods

/ Locomotion

Scaled flying

recorded by GDC of Google Earth VR

A method of flying where the user’s virtual size is constantly being scaled based on where the floor is beneath them. This allows users to feel constantly grounded so they can walk around via room-scale locomotion whenever they want.

Strengths:

Works very naturally and seamlessly with room-scale locomotion

Because it can be paired with room-scale locomotion, it’s perfect exploration in small and large increments

Because users are grounded this minimizes the risks of acrophobia

Maintains the most immersion and context unlike other methods of locomotion like teleportation

Weaknesses

Just like most methods of artificial locomotion, it can cause simulation sickness, which is why in this case it was used with a minimized field of view during movement

Requires the constant scaling of the user virtually which makes it not suitable for all contexts

For More Info

See the full talk by Google’s Adam Glazier, Nadav Ashkenazi, and Per Karlsson on the UX design behind Google Earth VR at the 2017 VRDC session.

More on

Locomotion Methods