UX Framework
Safe Retreat
Core Behaviour
Logic
Users must have an immediate and accessible way to pause or exit a simulation when they feel overwhelmed, without needing to navigate through complex menus or physically remove their headset.
Addresses
Overwhelm, where users experience distress or discomfort due to excessive sensory input or cognitive demands, can lead to negative associations with VR and discourage continued use. Also avoids a risk of intervention where removing a headset while overwhelmed causes a "neurochemical imbalance" or crash due to the sudden cessation of stimuli.
Implementation Specification
A safety menu that can be accessed through an always-available mechanism such as a simple gesture (e.g., holding down a button or performing a specific hand gesture) that immediately pauses the simulation and provides options to either retreat to a designated "Safe Zone" or exit the experience entirely.
Interaction Patterns
The Universal Safety Net relies on the Safe Retreat behaviour to provide a route to a designated "Safe Zone" where users can retreat to when overwhelmed. The Safety Menu provides a quick and accessible way for users to access the Safe Zone without needing to navigate through complex menus or physically remove their headset.
Accessibility Barriers
Cognitive Load, Sequencing & Predictibility/Sensory Regulation & Safe Exit: By providing an immediate and accessible way to pause or exit a simulation when users feel overwhelmed, Safe Retreat helps users manage their emotional regulation and exit overstimulating states without closing the application entirely, reducing the risk of negative associations with VR due to sensory overload.