Outline
Definition of Hyper Immersivity
Hyper Immersivity or HI manifests in artistic and technologically mediated environments where there is:
Active Agency: Participants possess a significant ability to influence the experience's direction, content, or outcomes through their choices, actions, and interactions.
Multimodal Engagement: HI stimulates multiple senses (including potentially touch, smell, and bodily feedback) and create a holistic, embodied experience.
Hybrid Reality: Physical and virtual elements are seamlessly interwoven, often incorporating aspects of the participant's real-world surroundings.
Distinction from Traditional Immersive Experiences
This definition enables us to draw contrasts such as the following:
Cinema vs. HI: While traditional Cinema can induce a sense of immersion, the viewer remains a primarily passive observer. HI puts participants within the action with the power to affect its course.
Interactive Art vs. HI: Interactive art offers some level of participation, but choices might be pre-defined or limited. HI prioritises open-endedness, allowing for a greater degree of co-creation and unanticipated outcomes.
VR Games vs. HI: Many VR games emphasise objectives and skill-based interactions. HI can incorporate game elements but might prioritise artistic exploration, emotional resonance, or open-ended narrative possibilities over a win/lose structure.