Actors in VR storytelling

TL;DR

This paper explores how incorporating actors into VR storytelling enhances user experience and educational value in virtual cultural heritage applications, exemplified by a time-travel virtual tour of ancient Baiae.

Contribution

It introduces the use of actors in VR storytelling for cultural heritage, demonstrating improved engagement and edutainment in virtual reconstructions.

Findings

Actors improve user immersion and engagement.

Enhanced educational and entertainment value observed.

Successful implementation in Baiae virtual tour.

Abstract

Virtual Reality (VR) storytelling enhances the immersion of users into virtual environments (VE). Its use in virtual cultural heritage presentations helps the revival of the genius loci (the spirit of the place) of cultural monuments. This paper aims to show that the use of actors in VR storytelling adds to the quality of user experience and improves the edutainment value of virtual cultural heritage applications. We will describe the Baiae dry visit application which takes us to a time travel in the city considered by the Roman elite as "Little Rome (Pusilla Roma)" and presently is only partially preserved under the sea.