[A team at the National University of Singapore has developed a virtual reality game that incorporates heat, smell and touch in a novel way likely to evoke more intense and engaging presence experiences. The story below is from NUS News, where it features a different picture and a 1:54 minute video; more information including images and a second video is available at the CUTE Center website. –Matthew]

NUS team creates interactive, multisensory VR game

14 October 2019

A team of researchers and developers from the Keio-NUS CUTE (Connective Ubiquitous Technology for Embodiments) Center at NUS has developed a novel mixed virtual reality game to bring about a unique multisensory interaction and experience for players. Four sensory streams are fused together simultaneously in a virtual reality (VR) game to achieve remarkable realism.

Called ‘The Lost Foxfire’, the 10-minute game engages a player’s senses of vision, audition (sense of hearing), olfaction (sense of smell), somatosensation (sense of touch) and thermoception (ability to sense intensity of heat).… read more. ““The Lost Foxfire” VR uses touch, smell and heat to guide gameplay”

[A new app created at the University of Southern California augments 2D printed graphics with interactive 3D images to provide users a presence experience that more effectively communicates scientific data. This story from USC News is followed by an excerpt from subsequent coverage in USC’s Annenberg Media. A 1:33 minute demonstration video is available via YouTube and you can download the app (and soon the companion app for creators) here. –Matthew]

[Image: Credit: Courtesy of Tyler Ard and Arthur Toga]

Augmented reality app adds interactive enhancements to scientific posters, presentations

A new smartphone app created by USC scientists uses augmented reality to visualize scientific data via 3D models and video.

By Zara Greenbaum
October 17, 2019

USC scientists have launched a smartphone application that uses augmented reality to add 3D models, fly-throughs and other data to enrich science communication materials such as posters, publications and presentation materials.… read more. “Augmented reality app adds interactive enhancements to scientific posters, presentations”

[This story from Aeon describes new research that demonstrates changes in the brain when actors and others play a role. It’s not hard to read this from the conclusion and extend the logic to vivid, presence-evoking, mediated experiences:

“By roleplaying or acting out the kind of person we would like to become, or merely by thinking about and spending time with people who embody the kind of attributes we would like to see in ourselves, we can find that our sense of self changes in desirable ways. ‘As each of us chooses who to befriend, who to model, and who to ignore,’ write [researcher] Meyer and her colleagues, ‘we must make these decisions aware of how they shape not only the fabric of our social networks, but even our sense of who we are.’”

–Matthew]

[Image: Benedict Cumberbatch says playing Sherlock Holmes affects his off-screen persona.… read more. “Acting – and experiencing mediated people and stories?- changes the brain”

[With echoes of The Lonesome Gal, here’s a fascinating modern example of parasocial interaction (social-actor-within-medium presence) from The New York Times. See the original story for 3 more pictures and 3 videos, and for more information listen to a 10 minute KCRW interview with the story’s author. –Matthew]

What Does Having a Boyfriend Have to Do With Sleep?

On YouTube, young men role-play as kindly romantic partners — all in service of a better night’s rest.

By Kaitlyn Wylde
October 2, 2019

Owen Dennis Riley, 17, has never had a girlfriend. But he plays a boyfriend to at least half a million subscribers on YouTube.

He brings you gifts on Valentine’s Day and soup when you’re sick. He serenades you, if you’re into that sort of thing. Most important, he wants to help you get a good night’s sleep.… read more. “Parasocial “ASMR boyfriend role-play” YouTubers help viewers get a good night’s rest”

[A new virtual gun range in Medina, Ohio offers valuable training for law enforcement and the public, as well as entertainment and friendly competition – all without the danger of real firearms. This story from Cleveland.com provides the details. –Matthew]

[Image: Credit: Mary Jane Brewer]

Engage Virtual Range provides serious gun training or adrenaline rushing entertainment — you choose

By Mary Jane Brewer, special to cleveland.com
Posted October 24, 2019

MEDINA, Ohio — Engage Virtual Range — a virtual gun range for building skills, accuracy and confidence — opened in August at 5035 Beach Road in Medina. The three simulators offer a fun, safe and judgment-free environment for both novice and expert shooters.

If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush while learning to safely handle handguns, this is the place. But don’t worry — no real guns are permitted on the premises.… read more. “Engage Virtual Range provides serious gun training or adrenaline rushing entertainment”