Why ‘Embodiment’ Matters More Than ‘Immersion’

Inside XR Design delves into the art of exceptional XR design, and today, we’re taking a closer look at the game “Synapse.” The spotlight is on embodiment—a crucial concept in the realm of VR games.

It’s hard to believe a full year has passed since this piece was first published, yet its insights remain vital today. We’re featuring it once again to continue sparking conversations about the pivotal role of embodiment in crafting compelling VR experiences.

For those who prefer a visual explanation, there’s a video included below. However, feel free to keep reading for an insightful text version.

### Defining Embodiment

Welcome back to another edition of Inside XR Design, where we’re focusing on “Synapse” (2023), an exclusive title for PSVR 2, crafted by developer nDreams. Our discussion pivots on the intriguing concept of embodiment within this game.

You might wonder, what exactly is embodiment, and why dive into it instead of merely discussing the game’s thrilling elements like shooting, explosions, and smart design? Well, understanding embodiment gives us a clearer picture of why nDreams’ design choices in “Synapse” work so effectively. So bear with me as we unravel this.

Embodiment refers to the sensation of being physically present in a VR environment—as if you’re standing right within the virtual world.

Now, you might be thinking, “Isn’t that what we call immersion?” While people often use the term immersion, it’s crucial to differentiate it from embodiment.

When we talk about immersion here, we mean the total engagement of your attention. For instance, a gripping movie can pull you in so deeply that the outside world fades away. But, no movie, no matter how immersive, ever makes you feel physically within it. That’s where embodiment comes into play.

In this discussion, immersion is about maintaining your focus, while embodiment is about your sense of presence and physicality in relation to a virtual world.

Most VR games have immersion in the bag. By commandeering your visual and auditory senses, they naturally capture your attention, immersing you as soon as you don the headset.

However, some VR experiences transcend mere attention—they make you feel as if your entire body exists within that virtual space. It’s as if you could touch and feel the environment around you.

So, in essence, while immersion captures your focus, embodiment envelops your physical senses.

Importantly, embodiment isn’t a yes-or-no concept. It exists on a spectrum. Some VR experiences offer a slight sense of embodiment, others deliver it powerfully. What’s the magic ingredient? Let’s explore that with “Synapse.”

### Cover You Can Feel

At first glance, “Synapse” may seem like your typical VR shooter. However, it’s the deliberate design choices that foster a rich sense of embodiment. A standout feature is its innovative cover system.

In most VR shooters, cover is static—you hide behind a wall, and it shelters you from gunfire. That’s about it; you don’t interact physically with the wall.

But in “Synapse,” the walls become interactive. You can grab and pull your body into cover, which feels intuitive and enhances the gameplay.

This physical interaction with the environment—using your body, not just a joystick—creates a realistic feel. The walls begin to integrate into your proprioceptive model, your brain’s map of the body’s position in space.

### Understanding Proprioception

Before diving further, let’s talk about proprioception, an essential term in connecting our physical selves to virtual experiences.

A great illustration of proprioception is a video clip of a cat approaching a table. Without glancing, it smoothly moves its ear away just in time. This demonstrates the cat’s internal spatial awareness—knowing where its ear is in relation to its surroundings.

In “Synapse,” when you reach for a wall to move, your mind subconsciously includes the wall in your proprioceptive model. The interaction becomes real because your body acknowledges the space around it.

### Mags Out

Walls in “Synapse” assist with more than just cover—they also help with reloading your weapon.

Stepping aside from embodiment momentarily, this design choice is exhilarating. Previously, we’ve talked extensively about realistic weapon mechanics in games like “Half-Life: Alyx.” However, “Synapse” embraces a quick, engaging reloading system befitting its fast-paced nature.

Magazines in the game hover out of the weapon. Reload by sliding them back into place. While it may appear quirky, this mechanism fits the game’s sci-fi narrative, simplifying reloading without losing the gameplay’s intensity.

This concept harmonizes with the game’s cover mechanics. You need one hand free to use the cover system, so pressing the magazine against a wall to reload efficiently utilizes both systems simultaneously.

This interaction reinforces your spatial awareness and interaction with the walls as tangible objects, contributing further to your sense of embodiment.

As these elements come together, the virtual world of “Synapse” feels less artificial and more tangible. Embodiment, once achieved, transcends what you’re seeing—it’s about genuine interaction with the environment.

Speaking of immersive experiences, “Synapse” elevates this sensation with its exceptional telekinesis system. Stay tuned for the extended exploration: “Extend Your Reach.”