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WhitepaperThe Hong Kong University of Science and Technology22 Oct 2026

Row Across Time: A Tangible Ba He Tong VR Game for Embodied Cultural Play

Key insights

6 takeaways

01
Integrating a tangible, 1:1 scale replica of a cultural artifact (the Ba He Tong vessel) into a VR rowing game significantly increased user scores for presence, embodied rowing, cultural exploration, artifact experience, and enjoyment compared to a standard seated VR setup.See it on page 4
02
User study data showed statistically significant improvements in key metrics, with embodied rowing scores rising from 4.92 to 6.22 and enjoyment scores increasing from 5.54 to 6.58 on a 7-point scale.See it on page 3
03
The use of a physical interface did not negatively impact performance or comfort, as completion times (119.00s vs 119.33s) and discomfort levels (1.92 vs 1.75) showed no significant difference between the tangible and virtual-only conditions.See it on page 4
04
The tangible interface functions as both a physical prop and a cultural entry point, allowing players to engage with the Jiaomen River journey through a bodily practice that mirrors the historical activity.See it on page 4
05
The study, conducted with 12 participants aged 21–27, demonstrates that physical artifacts can transform VR experiences from passive visual observation into active, embodied cultural participation.See it on page 3
06
The game design intentionally avoids complex tasks, focusing instead on a continuous, reflective rowing experience that connects the player’s physical posture and movement to the represented cultural environment.See it on page 2

Summary

Row Across Time: A Tangible Ba He Tong VR Game for Embodied Fangtao Zhao Jia Zhang Jiaying Fu Computational Media and Arts Thrust Computational Media and Arts School of Future Design The Hong Kong University of Science The Hong Kong University of Science Beijing Normal University and Technology (Guangzhou) and Technology (Guangzhou) Zhuhai, China Guangzhou, Guangdong, China Guangzho...

Row Across Time: A Tangible Ba He Tong VR Game for Embodied Cultural Play

Row Across Time: A Tangible Ba He Tong VR Game for Embodied Cultural Play

Key insights

Summary

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