Assessing Presence in Virtual Reality Through a VR Escape Room for Visually Impaired Users

• Angelo Coronado UFG / AKCIT
• Sergio T. Carvalho UFG / AKCIT
• Luciana Berretta UFG / AKCIT

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5753/sbgames.2025.10315

Abstract

Introduction: Not all games are accessible, as certain disabled gamers may be excluded by the game’s design. This exclusion is an experience that visually impaired individuals encounter when engaging with mainstream visual games and virtual reality. Objective: This work assesses a designed accessible VR application with visually impaired people (VIP). This application is an escape room, a genre of game that challenges players’ abilities without requiring rapid responses. Methodology or Steps: Participants were required to complete a 15-minute tutorial and a game stage session with a maximum duration of 20 minutes. Later, they were asked to answer a presence questionnaire (IPQ) to assess their sense of presence within the VR Escape Room. Results: A group of eight visually impaired users participated in this experience. The results show that the experience was perceived as very realistic (REAL); that the participants felt fully present in the environment (SP); and that they felt engaged with the environment (INV).

Keywords: Presence, Virtual Reality, Visually Impaired, Escape Room, Accessibility

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