What are the best strategies for designing user-friendly VR/AR tutorials and onboarding?

1 Use progressive disclosure

One of the key principles of UX design is progressive disclosure, which means revealing information gradually and only when needed. This helps reduce cognitive load and clutter, and allows users to focus on the most relevant and important tasks. In VR/AR games, you can use progressive disclosure to introduce game mechanics, controls, features, and goals in a natural and contextual way. For example, you can use voice-overs, visual cues, animations, or interactive elements to guide players through the first steps of your game, and then gradually fade them out as players become more familiar and confident.

2 Provide feedback and rewards

Another important aspect of UX design is feedback and rewards, which means giving users clear and timely responses to their actions and achievements. This helps motivate and encourage users, and reinforces learning and retention. In VR/AR games, you can use feedback and rewards to make your tutorials and onboarding more fun and satisfying. For example, you can use sound effects, haptic feedback, visual effects, or badges to acknowledge players' progress and success, and to highlight the benefits and outcomes of their actions.

3 Allow exploration and customization

A third strategy for UX design is exploration and customization, which means giving users some freedom and control over their experience. This helps foster curiosity and creativity, and enhances engagement and loyalty. In VR/AR games, you can allow exploration and customization to make your tutorials and onboarding more flexible and personalized. For example, you can offer multiple options or paths for players to learn your game, and let them choose their own pace and style. You can also enable players to adjust or modify some aspects of your game, such as difficulty, preferences, or appearance.

4 Test and iterate

A final strategy for UX design is testing and iterating, which means evaluating and improving your design based on user feedback and data. This helps ensure that your design meets the needs and expectations of your target audience, and that it works well across different devices and environments. In VR/AR games, you should test and iterate your tutorials and onboarding regularly and rigorously, and involve real users in the process. For example, you can use usability testing, surveys, analytics, or reviews to collect and analyze user feedback, and then use it to refine and optimize your design.

VR/AR games are an exciting and innovative medium that can offer amazing experiences to players. However, they also require careful and thoughtful UX design to make them accessible and enjoyable. By using these strategies, you can create user-friendly tutorials and onboarding that can help players learn and love your game.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?