Skip to main content

Game Industry Library

Ask AIAnswers with sources

TL;DRLibraryExploreCheck your textPROConnect your AIPRO

Browse

TopicsWritersGamesCompanies

Game Industry Library

Loading the document

Library
TL;DR
Ask AI
Search
Saved

1 free read left. Create a free account for unlimited reading + AI research.

Create free account

WhitepaperCardiff University22 Oct 2026

Pedalling With Purpose: Relational Action in Children's VR Cycling Exergames

VR
Game Design
Serious Games
Player Behavior

Length: 7 pages · ~31 min read
Format: PDF: read online free, download with a free account

Comments

Key insights

6 takeaways

01
In children's VR cycling exergames, physical exertion is most effectively motivated when framed as 'relational action'—effort directed toward, with, for, or against game characters rather than simple movement or task completion.See it on page 2
02
A pilot study of 16 children demonstrated that narrative elements transform bodily effort into meaningful action by positioning the player as a helper, mediator, or challenger within a social context.See it on page 1
03
Designers should prioritize 'relational targets'—such as an ally needing help or an antagonist requiring pursuit—to provide social destinations for physical exertion that do not require complex game controls.See it on page 6
04
Meaningful player agency is best achieved through persistent, simple relationship states (e.g., distrustful, willing to help, or hostile) that reflect earlier choices, rather than through complex narrative branching.See it on page 6
05
To maintain physical flow, narrative interactions should be brief and placed at natural recovery points along a route, ensuring the game world acknowledges the player's physical effort without interrupting the exercise with lengthy cutscenes.See it on page 5
06
The player's role should be defined by their social responsibility to others—such as being a messenger or trusted companion—rather than merely by their visual avatar identity.See it on page 6

Read the full report

Summary

Pedalling With Purpose: Relational Action in Children's VR Mingxuan Jin Min Zhou Xiaolan Peng School of Computer Science and School of Computer Science and Institute of Software, Chinese Informatics Informatics Academy of Sciences Cardif University Cardif University Beijing, China Cardif, United Kingdom Cardif, United Kingdom [email protected] [email protected] ...

Next steps

Ask about this whitepaperGet an answer from its pages, with every figure linked to the page it is on.
More like thisOther documents from the same Writer and on the same theme, below.

More from Cardiff University

Cover of Beyond the Player: Didactical Mechanics for Teacher Agency in Game-Based Language Learning

Beyond the Player: Didactical Mechanics for Teacher Agency in Game-Based Language Learning

Université Côte d'Azur · 2026

More on VR

Cover of The BlockQuest Game: Digital Behavioral Phenotyping of ADHD Using Embodied Serious Game in VR

The BlockQuest Game: Digital Behavioral Phenotyping of ADHD Using Embodied Serious Game in VR

Joint International Conference on Serious Games (JCSG) · 2024

Cover of Hakka Kitchen: Engagement with Culinary Cultural Heritage Through Immersive Game Play

Hakka Kitchen: Engagement with Culinary Cultural Heritage Through Immersive Game Play

Northeastern University · 2026

Cover of Investigating Stakeholder Influence in the Co-design of VR Game Experiences for Intangible Heritage

Investigating Stakeholder Influence in the Co-design of VR Game Experiences for Intangible Heritage

Beijing Normal University · 2026

Cover of An Early-Stage Feasibility and Usability Pilot for an Immersive Serious Game to Support English Spelling and Semantic Skills

An Early-Stage Feasibility and Usability Pilot for an Immersive Serious Game to Support English Spelling and Semantic Skills

European Conference on Games Based Learning (ECGBL) · 2026

Cover of Intersectional Pleasures: An Empirical Study of Embodied Emotions in Video Games

Intersectional Pleasures: An Empirical Study of Embodied Emotions in Video Games

DiGRA · 2026

Cover of Gamifying Museum Exploration: A Virtual Reality Approach to Enhancing Visitor Engagement

Gamifying Museum Exploration: A Virtual Reality Approach to Enhancing Visitor Engagement

Elsevier · 2025

Cover of Can Ordinary Horror Games Reduce Avoidant and Safety Behaviours in Players with Anxiety Disorders?

Can Ordinary Horror Games Reduce Avoidant and Safety Behaviours in Players with Anxiety Disorders?

Press Start · 2025

Cover of Impact of Full-Body Haptic Feedback on the Sense of Presence, Affective Experience, and Game Engagement in a VR Game

Impact of Full-Body Haptic Feedback on the Sense of Presence, Affective Experience, and Game Engagement in a VR Game

DiGRA · 2025

Cover of The Jade Gateway to Exergaming: How Socio-Cultural Factors Shape Exergaming Among East Asian Older Adults

The Jade Gateway to Exergaming: How Socio-Cultural Factors Shape Exergaming Among East Asian Older Adults

University of Waterloo · 2024

Cover of RelicVR: A Virtual Reality Game for Active Exploration of Archaeological Relics

RelicVR: A Virtual Reality Game for Active Exploration of Archaeological Relics

Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University · 2021

Cover of VirusBoxing: A HIIT-Based VR Boxing Game

VirusBoxing: A HIIT-Based VR Boxing Game

Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University · 2020

Cover of Parents of Adolescents Perspectives of Physical Activity, Gaming and Virtual Reality: Qualitative Study

Parents of Adolescents Perspectives of Physical Activity, Gaming and Virtual Reality: Qualitative Study

JMIR Serious Games · 2020

Comments

Loading comments…