Abstract
In recent years, there has been a rise in Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) fitness applications. Most notably, there have been many successful exergames—which are applications consisting of a combination of exercising and gaming activities in a single gameplay. VR games such as BeatSaber and FitVR engage the players through the fast-paced rhythm while slashing or punching on incoming targets, distracting them from realising how hard their body is working. There are also VR applications that require the player to exercise on fitness equipment like stationary bicycles or rowing machines while wearing the headset, traversing through a virtual world. On the other hand, AR exergames such as Pokémon Go overlays virtual objects in our surrounding environments, encouraging players to move around outdoors to collect rewards and avatars, sometimes even participating in missions. Mixed Reality (MR) combines VR and AR features, overlaying and anchoring virtual objects to the real world. This allows users to feel present in their actual environment while interacting with virtual objects in a realistic manner. This paper aims to design a MR exergame called SocialXR which promotes the efficiency of the player’s cycling session through virtual elements shown on the player’s field of vision. It will be able to provide a three dimensional (3D) spatial experience of cycling with his or her remote virtual companions overlaid on the player’s field of view using Microsoft HoloLens 2 while cycling on a stationary bicycle. The players’ exercise efficiency will be analysed based on their heart rate during the exergame. The player’s satisfaction and exercise effectiveness through the session will also be analysed qualitatively through surveys in user testing sessions. Ultimately, the long term vision of the venture is to create a realistic experience for players to play the MR exergame while cycling on a regular bicycle or running outdoors, enabling them to exercise with companions while in different locations or to simply exercise outdoors while receiving useful information and motivational elements presented conveniently in their field of view.