VR Exit Mechanic Design

2025-03-17 20:14 UTC gpt-4o Open in ChatGPT ↗

You

I am building this VR game with 360 video sequences in-between gameplay. I want a game mechanic to exit the 360 videos by looking up at a “Exit Video” sign. Of course they must not trigger it accidentally, so maybe pointing at it and clicking it would be better. I’m developing. for the oculus Quest only, and my players are completely NOT tech savvy, they’re not even gamers, so the mechanic must be idiot proof. I want them to exit promptly if something bad in the video triggers them

ChatGPT

Got it! Since you’re developing for Oculus Quest and your players are completely non-gamers, we need a super simple and foolproof way to exit the 360 video. Here’s what I recommend:

Best Interaction Design: Gaze + Confirm Click

Since players are not tech-savvy, relying solely on gaze (staring at the exit sign) could lead to accidental triggers. Instead, a two-step approach makes more sense:

1. Gaze at the “Exit Video” Sign – This highlights or activates a visual cue.
2. Click a Button to Confirm Exit – A single tap on the Quest controller (or hand-tracking pinch gesture) to confirm.

This ensures they don’t accidentally exit, but they also have a clear “I’m in control” moment.

Implementation Details

• Exit Sign Visibility: Always visible at the top (or slightly behind them for natural “look up” movement).
• Gaze Activation: When looking at it, it could start glowing, pulsing, or display “Press A to Exit”.
• Click Confirmation: A single button press (A button or hand pinch) will exit the video.
• Alternative Auto-Exit (for panic situations): Holding the “B” button (or pressing the Oculus menu button) for 3 seconds could force an exit.

Why This Works

✅ No Accidental Exits – Must gaze + confirm click.
✅ Intuitive for Non-Gamers – No complex UI or hidden gestures.
✅ Fast Exit if Needed – They can leave instantly if they get uncomfortable.

Would you like sample Unity code for this? I can help with the gaze detection + button input system! 🚀

You

Yes!

ChatGPT

Here’s a Unity script that enables gaze-based exit confirmation for your 360 video sequences in your Oculus Quest VR game. This script will:

✅ Detect when the player looks at the “Exit Video” sign.
✅ Highlight the sign to give visual feedback.
✅ Allow them to press the A button (or hand pinch) to confirm exit.
✅ Provide an emergency hold B button exit for immediate escape.

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Step 1: Setup in Unity

1. Create a UI Canvas (World Space) and place an Exit Sign (Text or Image).
2. Attach a Collider to the Exit Sign object (BoxCollider or SphereCollider).
3. Assign the following script to the Exit Sign.

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Gaze & Click Exit Script

This script uses OVRInput (for controllers) and a basic raycast from the camera to detect gaze.

📌 ExitVideoTrigger.cs

using UnityEngine;
using OculusSampleFramework;

public class ExitVideoTrigger : MonoBehaviour
{
    public GameObject exitPrompt; // A UI prompt that appears when gazing
    private bool isLookingAtExit = false;

    void Start()
    {
        if (exitPrompt)
            exitPrompt.SetActive(false); // Hide prompt initially
    }

    void Update()
    {
        CheckGaze();
        CheckExitInput();
    }

    void CheckGaze()
    {
        Ray ray = new Ray(Camera.main.transform.position, Camera.main.transform.forward);
        RaycastHit hit;

        if (Physics.Raycast(ray, out hit, 10f)) // Adjust distance if needed
        {
            if (hit.collider.gameObject == gameObject)
            {
                isLookingAtExit = true;
                if (exitPrompt) exitPrompt.SetActive(true); // Show "Press A to Exit"
            }
            else
            {
                isLookingAtExit = false;
                if (exitPrompt) exitPrompt.SetActive(false);
            }
        }
        else
        {
            isLookingAtExit = false;
            if (exitPrompt) exitPrompt.SetActive(false);
        }
    }

    void CheckExitInput()
    {
        // If looking at the sign AND A button is pressed, exit the video
        if (isLookingAtExit && OVRInput.GetDown(OVRInput.Button.One)) // "A" button on Quest controllers
        {
            ExitVideo();
        }

        // Emergency exit if B is held for 3 seconds
        if (OVRInput.Get(OVRInput.Button.Two)) // "B" button on Quest controllers
        {
            StartCoroutine(HoldExit());
        }
    }

    System.Collections.IEnumerator HoldExit()
    {
        float holdTime = 0;
        while (OVRInput.Get(OVRInput.Button.Two))
        {
            holdTime += Time.deltaTime;
            if (holdTime >= 3f) // 3-second hold to exit
            {
                ExitVideo();
                yield break;
            }
            yield return null;
        }
    }

    void ExitVideo()
    {
        Debug.Log("Exiting Video...");
        // Add logic to stop the video and return to gameplay
        // Example: SceneManager.LoadScene("GameplayScene");
    }
}

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Step 2: Hook It Up

1. Attach this script to the Exit Sign GameObject.
2. Add a BoxCollider or SphereCollider to the Exit Sign.
3. Create a small UI Text prompt (“Press A to Exit”) and assign it to exitPrompt in the inspector.
4. Test in VR!

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How It Works

• The script casts a ray from the camera (player’s view).
• If the player gazes at the Exit Sign, a “Press A to Exit” prompt appears.
• Pressing the A button instantly exits.
• Holding B for 3 seconds is an emergency exit.

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Why This Works for Non-Gamers

✅ Intuitive: Look at sign → See “Press A” → Click to exit.
✅ No Accidental Exit: They must press a button to confirm.
✅ Emergency Backup: Holding B for 3 seconds guarantees they can leave fast.

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Would you like help integrating this with your 360 video player system (e.g., AVPro, Unity VideoPlayer)? 🚀