If The Map Fits! Exploring Minimaps as Distractors from Non-Euclidean Spaces in Virtual Reality

BSTRACT With non-Euclidean spaces, Virtual Reality (VR) experiences can more efficiently exploit the available physical space by using overlapping virtual rooms. However, the illusion created by these spaces can be discovered, if the overlap is too large. Thus, in this work, we investigate if users can be distracted from the overlap by showing a minimap that suggests that there is none. When done correctly, more VR space can be mapped into the existing physical space, allowing for more spacious virtual experiences. Through a user study, we found that participants uncovered the overlap of two virtual rooms when it was at 100% or the overlapping room extended even further. Our results show that the additional minimap renders overlapping virtual rooms more believable and can serve as a helpful tool to use physical space more efficiently for natural locomotion in VR.