ENTER THE LABYRINTH: A VR PROCEDURAL PSYCHOLOGICAL NIGHTMARE

This thesis explores the history of virtual reality and how the medium can help make psychological horror adventure games become a more immersive experience. Project Labyrinth takes inspiration from psychological horror adventure games, Greek mythology, and experimental music to immerse the player in a VR dream/nightmare.
Appealing to the senses of sight and sound, the moody visual effects and haunting music, along with the use of procedural generation, create an eerie atmosphere in which the player must explore and problem-solve in order to find their way through the labyrinthine game. The environment changes and evolves as the game is replayed, creating a dream or nightmare-like setting, stirring the sensation of déjà vu. The game was developed in VR using the Oculus Quest, a device that allows the player to freely move about without being tethered to a computer. The Quest’s ability to use hand, body, and room tracking significantly improves an already immersive experience.