Immersive Enhancement of Game Experience by Smell Sensing
摘要
Contemporary entertainment media, particularly games and films, primarily rely on visual and auditory stimuli to engage users. Although tactile feedback has become increasingly common through devices like vibrating controllers, olfactory stimulation remains largely unexplored in digital environments. Unlike passive media such as films, games offer interactive opportunities for users to both perceive and trigger smells, opening new possibilities for immersion. This paper presents the design and feasibility evaluation of a digital smell emission system aimed at enhancing immersion in gaming, particularly virtual reality (VR) experiences. We explore the mechanisms and key parameters for integrating scents into game mechanics and environmental storytelling. Testing across various scenarios reveals that smell can serve both as a supplemental sensory channel and a core interactive component. Our findings suggest that olfactory feedback, when contextually and spatially aligned, significantly enhances user immersion and has broad applicability across game genres.