Introduction
The aim of this project is to demonstrate my skills in VR design, graphical UI creation and user testing.
The project is part of Udacity Nanodegree assignments in Course 4 — Puzzler. In this assignment I arranged a simple VR puzzle experience, where the user clicks on start, moves into a dungeon, solves a “Simon says” type of a puzzle. On successful completion of puzzle, user moves out of the dungeon and gets the option to restart the experience. The assets and “Simon says” game flow in the experience are provided by Udacity.
Puzzler Outcomes
Puzzler is designed to be easy and challenging.
As shown in video, user can start the game by clicking on START button. Inside the game, user is taken to a dungeon, where there are 5 orbs that flash in random sequence. User has to select orbs in the same sequence. If user fails, the sequence is flashed again and this process repeats till user gets the correct sequence. User is then taken outside the dungeon, where they have the option to restart the game.
Story of the Process
Statement of purpose: Puzzler is a mobile VR application for VR users, which challenges them to solve a familiar Simon says type of a puzzle.
Persona
Name: Billy Innocent
Occupation: Business Executive
Age: 27
Quote: “I want to chill and relax”
Description: Billy has a stressful job and when he comes home he likes to immerse himself in VR experience to refresh his brain for the next day’s work. Ideal time is after his dinner and before bedtime.
He was recently introduced to VR by a colleague and liked the real life experience of the videos and novelty of the games. He specially likes to solve puzzles and is therefore looking for a puzzle game in VR. He is familiar with playing VR games.
VR experience: Medium
Skectches:


User Testing:
I tested the VR app across a varied age group. Their feedbacks were incorporated to make their experience better.
User 1 “Age group 20–30, Female”
Are you seeing a panel in front of you?
Yes
How big is the panel?
Too big, because user would like to see more of the background than the panel
What do you think that panel is for?
To start Puzzler
What do you think happens when you click on the button in panel?
To start Puzzler.
Please hit start button to get started.
Did you move into the room?
Yes.
What do you think of the surrounding?
I am in a dungeon.
What is the mode of the surrounding?
Dark and mysterious.
How did you feel about the speed of the movement? Did it feel like you were going fast, slow?
Good. I felt that I moved.
Would you describe yourself as feeling sick in anyway or are you feeling okay?
I am feeling fine.
Did you notice any sort of height changes or anything disorienting in movement?
No. It was linear.
User 2 “Age group 60–70, Male”
Are you seeing a panel in front of you?
Yes
How big is the panel?
Big and visible
What do you think that panel is for?
To start
What do you think happens when you click on the button in panel?
It’ll get activated
Please hit start button to get started.
Did you move into the room?
Yes
What do you think of the surrounding?
Calm and rocky
How did you feel about the speed of the movement? Did it feel like you were going fast, slow?
Comfortable
Would you describe yourself as feeling sick in anyway or are you feeling okay?
Ok
Did you notice any sort of height changes or anything disorienting in movement?
Pictures are moving
He referred to walls and floors were blinking/fluctuating.
User 3 “Age group 5–10, Male”
Are you seeing a panel in front of you?
Yes
How big is the panel?
Should be little smaller
What do you think that panel is for?
To start the game
What do you think happens when you click on the button in panel?
Game will start
Please hit start button to get started.
Did you move into the room?
Yes
What do you think of the surrounding?
Room is Creepy
How did you feel about the speed of the movement? Did it feel like you were going fast, slow?
It was perfect.
Would you describe yourself as feeling sick in anyway or are you feeling okay?
No
Did you notice any sort of height changes or anything disorienting in movement?
No
User 4 “Age group 30–40, Female”
Are you seeing a panel in front of you?
Yes
How big is the panel?
Good
What do you think that panel is for?
To start the game
What do you think happens when you click on the button in panel?
Game starts
Please hit start button to get started.
Did you move into the room?
Yes
What do you think of the surrounding?
Looks like prison
How did you feel about the speed of the movement? Did it feel like you were going fast, slow?
Good. Constant movement
Would you describe yourself as feeling sick in anyway or are you feeling okay?
Feeling fine
Did you notice any sort of height changes or anything disorienting in movement?
No
User 5 “Age group 50–60, Female”
Are you seeing a panel in front of you?
Yes
How big is the panel?
Yes. Big
What do you think that panel is for?
What do you think happens when you click on the button in panel?
Game will start
Please hit start button to get started.
Did you move into the room?
I am feeling nauseated. “Test was aborted”.
All users mentioned that walls and floors were blinking/fluctuating. I checked the issue and it was because they were overlapping. I fixed it by aligning the walls and floor tiles, so that they don’t overlap.
Breakdown of final piece
The project can be broadly divided into 3 stages: Start, Dungeon & Puzzle and End/Restart.
Start:
Dungeon & Puzzle:
End/Restart:
Conclusion
Through iterative process, I worked on improving the user experience to keep it simple and easy to understand, while making the puzzle intriguing enough.
Next Steps
To learn more about VR.