Post 05 Reading Response & CollaboVRation
- Kiki Wu
- Oct 8, 2019
- 2 min read
Reflection
The discussion over sexual harassment in VR world reminds me of the Black Mirror episode, where the two male protagonists have sex during an adult RPG fight game in their opposite-gender's skins. This realistic sexual experience ended up confusing the actual sexual preference of the two protagonists, which almost drove them trying out a real intercourse. Meanwhile, they all have a female spouse at home.
Will we bring in what we see and experience in virtual reality to our ground reality life? Are we believing into the social presence in virtual reality and have an intend to replace the one in ground reality? For instance, if someone is unfortunately raped in VR space, will this person surfer the same level of trauma as one who has the same experience in real life? Considering how introvert participants reported a general higher willingness expressing him/herselves, on the other side, without physical limit, such as geographical and spacial distance, will people behave more freely?
Another interesting point I spotted in the reading is the discussion of VR social space, which might change the way people make their impression on others. Before, people will further understand a person from its appearance (based on photos on social media) to his personality and attitude. However, meeting someone in VR social is like going to a Masquerade Dance, one may communicate and learn what is behind the appearance first. I think it would potentially be a powerful tool to reduce bias based on ability level, skin colors, gender and so on for a more inclusive media space.
CollaboVRation
In last week's collaboVRation activity, I am responsible for the sound. I found music plays a big role in setting the tune of the game, which may not only suggest the genre and style of an experience, but also the target age group and the backstory. I ended up finding three style for reference, since the game is still in an early stage with lots of undefined details. Meanwhile, beyond the theme song, the sound effects of the ambience, character's interaction with the world and the system notification also help setting the tune for the experience.
I also help organizing the presentation and dividing the game flow in a number-bullet style, which I found useful for team communication as well as delivering a clearer mind map to the audience with this linear method, especially when design an experience is almost always spontaneous and non-linear.
Link to our general CollaboVRation reflection on our Producers' blog:
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