Embodied Vulnerability and Cognitive Load in Immersive Gameplay: A Comparative Study of Virtual Reality and Desktop 3D Environments

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) environments are frequently associated with heightened immersion and emotional intensity, particularly in contexts involving environmental threat, spatial uncertainty, and perceived vulnerability. While immersive systems are often assumed to amplify experiential engagement, less attention has been given to how such intensification relates to perceived cognitive workload. The present study investigates the intersection between embodied vulnerability, immersive tension, and cognitive demand in VR and desktop 3D gameplay.
Using a within-subject experimental design (N = 30), participants experienced both a VR game (Astro Bot: Rescue Mission) and a desktop 3D game (Black Myth: Wukong). After each session, participants completed the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) and selected subscales of the Game Experience Questionnaire (GEQ), including immersion and tension.
Results indicate that VR gameplay significantly increases perceived workload, immersion, and tension-related affect compared to desktop gameplay. A positive correlation between immersion and mental demand suggests that intensified experiential engagement is sustained through greater allocation of attentional resources.
The findings contribute to research on immersive media, experiential learning, and interactive environments by positioning cognitive load as a measurable component of immersive engagement. The study highlights the importance of balancing affective intensity and cognitive sustainability in the design of advanced interactive systems.