Increasingly gamers want to share/monetize their game play by leveraging streaming platforms. VR game streaming is still nascent, costing a lot of energy, money, and time to set up the streaming environment. This project aims to design one-stop application for VR game streamers that has immediate access to information of hardware and software setting during their preparation and game play.

Screet shots from Blocks, Steam VR Home, EditorXR, Mindshow

Research on existing VR interface

Before designing the application, I conducted an analysis on existing VR interface from VR authoring and setting tools. Major tools I looked into are Steam VR Home, Editor XR, Blocks and Mindshow.

Key Findings

1) Using conventional UI elementscan help users to understand the interface better. Using familiar structure or icons from 2D interface design provides more cues to the users.
2) Tangible interface is more natural and intuitive in VR space. Unlike 2D screen, VR space allows users to move around and touch things. Thus, users can easily get used to tangible interface such as pushable button, touch screen, and mobile device in VR space.
3) Sound provides significant feedback to the users. Since VR space is 360 degree, audio cues provides additional information about the space.

User Analysis - Persona & User Journey Map

I conducted a user analysis based on previous qualitative user study. Based on the interviews with VR game streamers, I created two different personas who represent the characteristics of VR game streamers.

Persona A is new to VR streaming. A is an entertainer who keeps audience entertained and actively engages with the viewers. A wants to be emotionally connected with the viewers.

Persona B is a tech geek. B is an evangelist and educator who promotes VR technology and games to viewers. B wants to efficiently achieve viewer engagement.

Key Findings

1) Users need easy and quick way of setting up the software and choosing the options.
2) Users need efficient way of checking the system performance, changing chat setting/plug-ins according to streaming conditions.
3) Users need effective way of communicating with the audience without interfering their immersive experience.

Based on the key findings from research and user analysis, I started to sketch the design solution for VR game streamers. I narrowed down the design requirement for user interface and listed up the information which VR game streamers need to access during their preparation and game play.

User Interface Design Requirement

1) Should be visually distinctive from game play UI
2) Should be intuitive/easy enough for users to quickly change the options while they are streaming (in terms of visualization, information hierarchy, terminology used on UI, and input control)
3) Should be easily accessible while users are streaming
4) Should not disturb viewer’s experience

Before Streaming

This is a brief sketch of how the application works when the user prepares a game play before streaming.

During Streaming

This is a brief sketch of how the application works during streaming.

I created high fidelity prototype using HTC Vive, Unity3D, and Maya.

Prototype Work Flow & Tools