To mimic reality or to go beyond? Superpowers in virtual reality, the experience of augmentation and its consequences

Virtual reality (VR) offers the outstanding possibility to virtually extend human capabilities beyond reality (e.g., telekinesis). Previous work (Sadeghian and Hassenzahl, 2021) has proposed such augmentation as a core design principle of VR by identifying potential superpowers. However, it remains unclear whether augmentation-oriented designs are perceived as augmenting at all by users, and if so, whether the experience is beneficial. We conducted two subsequent experimental vignette studies (N=105, N=151) and compared reality-oriented designs with augmentation-oriented designs. In the first study, we tested across three different scenarios; in the second, we explored different facets of augmentation. In both studies, we found augmentation-oriented designs to create a more intensive augmentation experience. Furthermore, augmentation experience was posi-tively related to positive affect, need fulfillment, usage intention and hedonic quality. In addition, this work successfully established a new measure to assess the subjective experience of augmentation.

Automated summary

Virtual reality has the potential to extend human capabilities beyond reality, but it is unclear whether users perceive augmentation-oriented designs as augmenting and whether the experience is beneficial. Two consecutive experimental vignette studies were conducted to compare reality-oriented designs and augmentation-oriented designs. The findings show that augmentation-oriented designs create a more intensive augmentation experience, which is positively related to positive affect, need fulfillment, usage intention, and hedonic quality. Additionally, a new measure for assessing the subjective experience of augmentation was successfully established.