Exploring the concept of embodiment in VR design, today’s feature focuses on the game Synapse. Embodiment, the feeling of physically being present within a VR experience, plays a crucial role in enhancing the immersive nature of VR games.
Editor’s Note: Revisiting this article from a year ago, the discussion around embodiment remains relevant in 2025. This article delves into why embodiment is a key design concept for engaging VR content.
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Understanding Embodiment
Welcome to another installment of Inside XR design. Today, we’re delving into Synapse (2023), an exclusive PSVR 2 game by nDreams. Specifically, we’ll be examining the game through the lens of embodiment.
Embodiment refers to the sensation of being physically present in a VR environment, as if you are truly within the virtual world. It goes beyond mere immersion, which captures your attention, by creating a sense of physical presence and connection with the virtual surroundings.
In Synapse, deliberate design choices contribute to a heightened sense of embodiment, making players feel truly immersed in the game world.
Interactive Cover System
While many VR shooters feature a cover system, Synapse elevates this mechanic by allowing players to physically interact with cover objects. By grabbing and maneuvering walls for cover, players engage with the environment in a more tactile and realistic manner.
This interactive cover system not only enhances gameplay but also deepens the sense of embodiment. As players physically move themselves in and out of cover, the walls become more than static objects—they become integral to the player’s proprioceptive model.
Proprioception in Action
Proprioception, the body’s awareness of its position in relation to its surroundings, plays a key role in creating a convincing sense of embodiment in VR experiences. By intuitively understanding how their movements affect their virtual body within the game world, players engage more deeply with the environment.
In Synapse, players’ interactions with walls for cover and reloading further enhance proprioception, making the virtual space feel more tangible and real. By incorporating walls into their physical interactions, players develop a stronger sense of presence within the virtual environment.
Innovative Gameplay Mechanics
Besides the cover system, Synapse introduces innovative gameplay mechanics like the telekinesis system, which allows players to interact with objects in the environment using their hands. This system further enhances the feeling of embodiment by enabling players to extend their reach and interact with the virtual world in a more immersive way.
Through thoughtful design choices and interactive gameplay elements, Synapse exemplifies how embodiment can elevate the VR gaming experience, making players feel truly immersed and present within the virtual world.
