Mapping the Viewer Experience in Cinematic Virtual Reality: A Systematic Review

Abstract In recent years, the creative media landscape has witnessed growing interests surrounding the utilization of virtual reality (VR) as a novel visual narrative approach for both filmmakers and audiences. This trend is accompanied by an increase in studies aimed at scientifically examining the characteristics and principles of immersive visual storytelling. This paper intends to contribute to this growing field by offering a comprehensive review on the current research development in cinematic virtual reality (CVR), which employs VR technology to produce immersive, cinematic experiences for audiences. While extant research has focused on the content generation techniques and human performance implicated in virtual environments, such investigations may not fully explain the medium adaptation differences or emotional dimensions of narrated immersive experiences. These aspects are especially crucial in the context of visual storytelling through VR film, 360-degree video production, or other narrated experiences. The proposed study systematically categorizes CVR-related research, revealing the field's current state by narrowing the focus to specific topics and themes within CVR literature and highlighting key subdomains of interest centered on viewers’ experience measurement techniques. The findings of this review are expected to establish formal categories for implementing visual CVR to achieve immersive visual storytelling and provide a comprehensive analysis of current viewer experience measurements.