Why ‘Embodiment’ Takes Precedence Over ‘Immersion’

In our regular series, Inside XR Design, we delve into the fascinating intricacies of XR design, highlighting standout examples. This time, we’re turning our attention to the VR game Synapse to explore the concept of embodiment and its critical role in virtual reality.

Editor’s Note: Although it’s been a year since we first discussed this topic, its relevance hasn’t waned. Here’s a fresh look at how embodiment stands as a key pillar in creating immersive VR experiences.

Watch the complete video below, or read on for a detailed exploration of the concept.

### What is Embodiment?

Welcome back to Inside XR Design. Today, we’re dissecting Synapse, an exclusive PSVR 2 title from nDreams, through the concept of embodiment. So, what exactly is embodiment, and why should we care about it more than just the exhilarating action and thoughtful mechanics at play? Stick with me, and you’ll see why understanding embodiment makes a significant difference in design effectiveness in Synapse.

Embodiment describes the sensation of actually being present in the virtual world. It’s like stepping into a new realm and feeling as though you’re physically there. But you might ask, isn’t that what immersion is all about?

While many similar terms are used interchangeably, I’d draw a line between ‘immersion’ and ’embodiment’. Immersion captures your full attention — think of how a compelling film draws you in, making you forget your surroundings. Yet, even the most immersive movie doesn’t make you feel you’re physically in it.

This is where embodiment differs. For our discussion, immersion engages your attention, while embodiment involves a sense of physical presence within the space you’re exploring.

Most VR experiences achieve immersion naturally by dominating your senses the moment you don a headset. But the truly remarkable experiences push further, making you feel that your entire being has ventured into the digital landscape.

Immersion attaches to your attention. Embodiment is the physical sensation of being in the environment.

Embodiment doesn’t switch on or off; it’s a spectrum. Some VR titles barely touch upon it, while others go further. That’s the key discussion point for Synapse.

### Feeling the Cover

Synapse, at first sight, might seem to fit the standard VR shooter mold, but it’s the intentional design choices that elevate its sense of embodiment. Let’s start with its take on cover systems.

In VR shooters, cover is a given: stepping behind a wall protects you. But these walls often lack interactivity beyond their protective function.

Synapse changes the game by letting you physically interact with cover. You can grab a wall and move around it, which feels intuitive and significantly enhances gameplay.

This physical involvement makes the wall feel a part of your virtual environment because it integrates into your proprioceptive senses when you manipulate it directly.

### Exploring Proprioception

To understand why this feels so natural, we need to touch on proprioception — our innate awareness of body positioning. A superb demonstration of this is seen in a clip where a cat adjusts its ear instinctively to navigate tight spaces.

Proprioception is our subconscious understanding of space and orientation. Likewise, in Synapse, you intuitively comprehend movement around cover in a way that incorporates walls functionally into the VR world.

Interacting with walls shifting your position provides a tactile reality base that enhances the overall sense of embodiment.

### Reloading with Reality

Walls in Synapse aren’t just for dodging bullets; they’re integral in another exciting way — reloading your weapon.

Let’s switch gears slightly to discuss this clever mechanic, which cleverly uses walls to reload. Unlike the heavy realism of games like Half-Life: Alyx, Synapse opts for efficiency, where magazines float and slot intuitively back into your weapon.

It’s simple but fitting in this sci-fi setting and complements its brisk action style. Integrating a rapid reload mechanism allows fluid use of cover without hindrance.

This dual-system synergy — cover and reload — adds a layer of interaction that demands spatial awareness, increasing embodiment.

Knowing where walls are in relation to your arm generates stronger mental maps of your surroundings, boosting the perceived realness of the environment. The active engagement makes synapse’s virtual space tangible and compelling.

When the virtual world adopts physical cues that are believable, you begin feeling genuinely situated within it. This sensation—embodiment—expands beyond sight to affect how you feel in these spaces.

And if interacting with the surrounding feels profound, Synapse’s telekinesis takes this experience to new heights.

### Continue on Page 2: Extend Your Reach »