Published Paper Details:

This practice-based research explores the potential of 3DoF spatial audio to craft compelling and emotionally resonant VR narratives in the face of growing interest in VR storytelling, persistent challenges of accessibility and inclusivity in VR design, and even in the absence of character models or complex visual elements. A minute-long Virtual Reality experience titled "Once it Was a Home" was created in Unreal Engine 5.4, simulating an empty family home where the story of the family's past and departure is conveyed solely through spatial audio cues. The experience utilised a combination of accessible and custom-designed spatial audio elements. The custom sounds were recorded using a binaural microphone setup (Neumann KU 100 dummy head) and processed in Google Resonance for spatialisation. A semi-structured interview methodology was employed, where 30 participants experienced the VR environment and were subsequently interviewed about their interpretation of the narrative, emotional responses, and the impact of specific sound cues. The objectives of this study were to: (a) Narrative Comprehension: investigate the effectiveness of spatial audio in conveying a narrative within a VR environment, specifically assessing participants' ability to accurately interpret the intended story; (b) Sense of Presence: examine the immersive qualities of the experience and the extent to which spatial audio contributes to a sense of presence in the virtual environment; and (c) Emotional Impact: explore the emotional impact of the spatial audio design, analysing the range of emotions evoked and the relationship between specific sound cues and participants' emotional responses. Findings indicate that carefully designed spatial audio can effectively communicate complex narratives and evoke a range of emotions in VR, even with minimal visual elements. 76% of participants reported experiencing a strong sense of presence within the virtual environment, and 51% were able to accurately comprehend the intended story. This research contributes to the growing field of accessible VR design and challenges the notion that VR storytelling necessitates technical wizardry and emphasises the power of creativity and storytelling in crafting engaging VR narratives.