Avatar Selection for Live Performance in Virtual Reality: A Case Study

With the increasing number of commercial and open-source platforms for networked, multiplayer virtual reality, it is easier than ever to set up a virtual space where people from any geographic location can come together for shared immersive experiences, including live performance events. Very little UX research has been done on the specific needs of performers for such events. In this case study we explore how different types of avatars affect actors' experience of their own performance in VR. We observed that, counter-intuitively, more abstract avatars may make it easier for actors to connect with their character, although we also found that, with sufficient rehearsal, actors can learn to perform fluently through a wide variety of different kinds of avatars.