Mini-map positioning for Virtual Reality environments in hyperbolic space

Abstract

Navigation is a core aspect of exploring virtual environments. To assist players, a mini-map is a commonly used navigational tool. Navigation in an unknown space can be difficult. This difficulty is only increased when a player finds themselves in a non-Euclidean space. This paper explores the effect the mini-map's positioning has on the player's navigational performance in Virtual Reality using hyperbolic space. For this two positions are used: the first mini-map is positioned on the Heads-Up Display and the second is positioned on the player's right hand. Two player groups are randomly created to take part in a player experiment. Players get to read an information sheet and complete a small tutorial before having to complete 3 levels. Players are measured on how much time and how many steps it takes them to complete each level, how much their time and steps improve over the levels, their total time, and their total amount of steps. Combined these results indicate that there is no clear effect on the player's performance navigating a hyperbolic space in Virtual Reality.