Abstract: Our thesis project explores communication and gameplay interaction between a VR player and a Real-World player (RW) when both must collaborate from different perspectives in order to complete this cross-reality and copresent experience. To conduct this research, we designed and developed a local two-player, VR experience when only one VR headset is available. We looked at interpersonal communication skills and how the information being sent and received impacted each player’s experience. This effort was possible by the creation of a VR environment containing visual puzzles that must be translated verbally and physically to the RW Player in order to receive the correct information, answers, and hints. In this two-player VR experience with copresence, players communicate, interact, and collaborate in order to make their way through the puzzles and VR rooms. User testing was conducted at the VR Mixer at Game Developer’s Conference, Maker Faire Bay Area and If You Weren’t: Playing with Realities in ARG, AR, and VR. We discovered how to create an engaging and immersive two-player VR experience by focusing on three main aspects: VR room layout, universal instructions for both players, and increasing the RW player’s features.
