Visual Pseudo-Haptic Feedback as a Catalyst: Exploring User Joy with VFX in VR Physical Games

This study investigates the application of Visual Effects (VFX) in Virtual Reality (VR) environments, inspired by Visual Pseudo-Haptic Feedback (VPHF) framework, to enhance user experience. By integrating VPHF with VFX, the research aims to explore how visual enhanced VFX interactions affect user joy in VR designs. We developed two VR Jenga versions—one with VFX and one without—and compared these to traditional Real-life Jenga games to assess VFX’s impact on user engagement and joy. This approach allowed for a direct evaluation of VFX’s joy against both standard VR without any VFX interaction and physical gameplay. The research utilized a mixed-methods approach, incorporating prototype testing, and comprehensive assessments through questionnaires focused on joy-related factors (surprise, curiosity, interaction, flow, Presence and aesthetics etc) and post-experiment interviews for deeper insights. Results demonstrate that VFX with VPHF significantly enhances user joy by improving interaction and Usability engagement, surprise, and curiosity in VR. Challenges such as motion sickness and agoraphobia, triggered by excessive VFX, emphasize the need for careful VFX integration. These findings highlight the importance of achieving a well-balanced application of VFX to optimize user satisfaction and enhance VR experiences.