Navigating the Virtual Landscape: Coordinating the Shared Use of Space

Abstract

Collaborative virtual environments, such as multi-user domains (MUDs), chatrooms, or three-dimensional graphical environments, provide a common space for people to interact in, independent of geographical location. In this chapter we examine how the different metaphors used to represent two- and three-dimensional environments might influence interpersonal behaviours. We focus on behaviours related to navigation and positioning: (1) proxemics — the maintenance of personal space, (2) the signaling of private space and (3) the effects of crowding. We discover that the design of the three-dimensional space offers sociopetal spaces that encourage interaction, make clusters of actors easily visible and provide cues so that people maintain a sense of personal space. In both environments, adverse reactions to crowding occur. We suggest that differences in interpersonal behaviours may be influenced by embodiment (avatar) design features of the space and the number of other actors present. In a three-dimensional environment, these factors appear to influence navigation and positioning in the environment.