Effects of storytelling on user experience and performance in VR : a case study of Steady the drums!

Žnideršič, Klara (author), Pregelj, Zala (author), Pesek, Matevž (author)

Introduction: Storytelling is widely recognized as an effective tool for increasing engagement and motivation in digital games and learning environments. However, its application and impact in virtual reality (VR) is still under-researched due to the relative novelty of VR technology. In this study we explore the integration of storytelling elements into the game Steady the Drums! and examine their impact on user experience, performance and overall game appeal. Methods: A comparative analysis was conducted with two groups: one group played a standard version of the game and the other a version enriched with a narrative. As the game aims to improve rhythm perception and skills, its impact on performance improvement in Tapping-PROMS tests was also assessed. Results: Storytelling improved the perceived hedonic qualities of the game and increased user engagement and interest. However, participants playing the storytelling version showed slightly lower focus and performance on rhythmic tasks compared to the non-storytelling group. Despite this, both groups demonstrated significant improvements in rhythmic skills. Discussion: The findings suggest that while storytelling enhances enjoyment and engagement, it may slightly reduce task-focused performance in rhythm-based activities. Nevertheless, the observed improvement in rhythmic skills across both groups emphasizes the educational value of the game.

• Language: English
• Keywords: virtual reality, storytelling, rhythm training, game, educational technology
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FRI - Faculty of Computer and Information Science
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: 14 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 6, art. 1674655
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-176102
• UDC: 004.946:37
• ISSN on article: 2673-4192
• DOI: 10.3389/frvir.2025.1674655
• COBISS.SI-ID: 257251331
• Publication date in RUL: 21.11.2025

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Frontiers in virtual reality
• Shortened title: Front. virtual real.
• Publisher: Frontiers Media S. A.
• ISSN: 2673-4192
• COBISS.SI-ID: 56060163

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: navidezna resničnost, pripovedovanje zgodb, trening ritmičnih sposobnosti, igra, tehnologije v izobraževanju

Projects

• Funder: Other - Other funder or multiple funders
• Project number: C4350-24-927003
• Name: “TeachXR - Use of Extended Reality in Education”