Creating Immersive Virtual Environments Based on Open Geospatial Data and Game Engines

Abstract

Modern game engines like Unity allow users to create realistic 3D environments containing terrains as well as natural and artificial objects easily and swiftly. In addition, recent advances of game engine capabilities enable effortless implementation of virtual reality (VR) compatibility. 3D environments created with VR compatibility can be experienced from an egocentric and stereoscopic perspective that surpasses the immersion of the ‘classical’ screen-based perception of 3D environments. Not only game developers benefit from the possibilities provided by game engines. The ability to use geospatial data to shape virtual 3D environments opens a multitude of possibilities for geographic applications, such as construction planning, spatial hazard simulations or representation of historical places. The multi-perspective, multimodal reconstruction of three-dimensional space based on game engine technology today supports the possibility of linking different approaches of geographic work more closely. Free geospatial data that can be used for spatial reconstructions is provided by numerous national and regional official institutions. However, the file format of these data sources is not standardized and game engines only support a limited number of file formats. Therefore, format transformation is usually required to apply geospatial data to virtual 3D environments. This paper presents several workflows to apply digital elevation data and 3D city model data from OpenStreetMap and the Open.NRW initiative to Unity-based 3D environments. Advantages and disadvantages of different sources of geospatial data are discussed. In addition, implementation of VR compatibility is described. Finally, benefits of immersive VR implementation and characteristics of current VR hardware are discussed in the context of specific geographic application scenarios.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Events during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The User Preferences of VirBELA Virtual 3D Platform at the SHIFT Event Organized in Finland

“…In addition, it would be useful to compare less experienced users of 3D virtual platforms with more experienced users in regard to what they (can) gain from engaging with these digital platforms. It would be especially important to scrutinize how the participants' practices and experiences on the platform impact their innovation potential and what role the platform's digital layout and features (immersiveness) have on it [8]. In the end, users' perspectives are important to know if and how knowledge develops concretely into novel ideas at these digital events, and whether these novel ideas can be developed further towards innovation on virtual platforms.…”

“…However, such was and will be the situation for hundreds of event producers and events during and beyond the pandemic. Despite the focus was on a case study, the results from the first-time users and the simple 3D virtual environments provide a useful reference when analyzing the practices of the more advanced users and those in HIVEs to understand better how these influence the innovation potential of events on virtual environments as virtual and blended environments are expected to progress quickly in the 2020s [7,8]. Studies from virtual events with less immersive virtual platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic are needed to continue with other studies in the post-pandemic period, including those event using more advanced virtual technologies.…”

“…Furthermore, people with divergent thinking and mental flexibility seem to generate and process ideas better in VR compared with others [19]. However, potentially the role of immersive virtual environments is important, therefore one needs also to consider the potential differences between fictitious and more realistic HIVEs in interaction [7,8].…”

“…According to the program, 36 speakers had registered for the event, 21 of whom were from Finland and 15 from abroad. Four people acted as facilitators [8]. In addition, there were about 10-15 avatars on both days as representatives of companies, organizations and projects to illustrate their activities.…”

“…There are HIVEs that represent geographic environments in a non-fictitious and nonabstract manner. This type of environment is called a geovisualization immersive virtual environment (GeoIVE) [8]. However, so far, most 3D platforms for commercial use and for holding meetings and events are far simpler virtual environments without in-depth HIVE dimensions and do not require or support the use of HDMs.…”