Planemo

Description: The purpose of this game is to use psychological principles of bodily ownership and bodily agency to develop a strong sense of “embodying” the game’s avatar. The game should be fun and engaging. The ownership and agency aspects should be testable (through in-game questionnaires and in-game behaviours). The game should also include the standard control conditions which break the sense of ownership and agency. The game will serve as a tool for research purposes such as: a) testing proteas effects caused by different avatars, b) treating phantom body parts in amputees, and c) addressing empirical questions about the role of avatar realism in perceptions of ownership and agency.

Systems: This game was developed and tested on the Oculus Rift but is playable on any virtual reality system. The user will need a VR headset and two standards controllers. In the future, to enhance the user’s immersive experience, and help induce their sense of ownership over the virtual avatar they play as, this game will utilize small, vibrating tactile sensors that are placed on the user’s hands, arms, and body. These tactile sensors will not be necessary to play the game, although, the use of them will be encouraged to aid in the research aspects of this project.