Maze Collaboration VR

Initiator: Nesse van der Meer (Centre for Education and Learning)

Duration: ~1.5 years (part-time) Platform: Unreal Engine Focus: Situational awareness, collaboration dynamics in VR environments

This experimental VR research project, initiated by PhD candidate Nesse van der Meer, investigated how virtual tools can influence and improve real-time collaboration among strangers. The setup centered around a custom-built maze in Unreal Engine, where three participants were immersed in a shared digital space and tasked with solving a series of puzzles to escape the labyrinth.

At first, the puzzles were complex, inspired by classic game mechanics like finding keys or solving locks. However, through iterative design, the experience was refined into a unique format: each participant could see only a specific color-coded set of hints on the walls — red, blue, or yellow — visible only to them. The key to completing the challenge was communication, since no single player had access to the full solution.

Two test groups were compared: one using advanced VR collaboration tools (such as shared pointers or voice cues), and one without such aids. This comparison allowed the research team to observe how tool support influences collaboration efficiency and group dynamics in immersive digital environments.

The outcomes were impressive. All participants completed the task, but more significantly, the experience revealed an emotional and social transformation. Initially shy strangers were, by the end of the 30-minute session, laughing, excited, and feeling deeply connected. The VR maze — more than a game — became a platform for human bonding through shared effort and mutual reliance.

This research not only demonstrated the practical use of VR for collaboration but also highlighted its emotional and social potential, paving the way for future immersive applications in team-building, education, and remote co-working scenarios.

2022