Visual Techniques to Reduce Cybersickness in Virtual Reality

Cybersickness is a unpleasant phenomenon caused by the visually induced impression of ego-motion while in fact being seated. To reduce its negative impact in VR experiences, we analyze the effectiveness of two techniques – peripheral blurring and field of view reduction – through an experiment in an interactive race game environment displayed with a commercial head-mounted display with integrated eye tracker. To measure the level of discomfort experienced by our participants, we utilize self-report and physiological measurements. Our results indicate that, among both techniques, reducing the displayed field of view up to 10 degrees is most efficient to mitigate cybersickness.