Why ‘Embodiment’ Takes Precedence Over ‘Immersion’

Inside XR Design has been our platform for delving into some of the standout examples of XR design, and today, we’re turning our spotlight on Synapse. This game offers a fascinating case study on the role of embodiment in VR games, and why it plays such a pivotal role.

Reflecting on this topic, it’s astonishing how a year has zipped by since we first published this discussion, yet the insights surrounding embodiment remain as relevant as ever in 2025. Our goal is to spark renewed conversation on this crucial aspect of dynamic VR content.

You can jump into the full video below or stick around as we unpack it further here.

### Understanding Embodiment

Welcome to another dive into Inside XR Design. Today, I’m dissecting Synapse, a standout title from nDreams exclusively for PSVR 2. But let’s zero in on how embodiment is woven into its fabric.

Now, you might be wondering, why harp on about embodiment when there’s thrilling action and stunning design to discuss? Simply put, understanding embodiment explains why certain choices in Synapse hit home so effectively. So hang tight with me.

Embodiment is all about the sensation of truly being there, within the VR world. Imagine feeling as though every part of you is actually in that digital space surrounding you.

Your immediate reaction might be, “Isn’t that just immersion?” While commonly interchanged, it’s critical we tease apart ‘immersion’ from ’embodiment’.

For our chat here, think of immersion as your undivided attention. You know that feeling when a movie grips you so much, nothing else exists? That’s immersion. But even the most captivating film doesn’t make you feel as if you’ve slipped into the film’s reality.

Here steps in embodiment. While immersion captures attention, embodiment is about your physical presence within that virtual realm.

Nearly all VR games offer immersion almost immediately by subsuming your visual and auditory senses. However, the games that compel us further make our bodies feel as transported as our minds.

Thus, while immersion demands our attention, embodiment makes us feel physically entrenched in the virtuality.

Remember, embodiment isn’t a simple switch. It ranges from mild to profound. Our conversation will unravel how Synapse pulls off powerful embodiment.

### Immersive Cover in Action

On the surface, Synapse resembles your run-of-the-mill VR shooter, yet its brilliant design choices stop it from being typical. Let’s explore the cover system.

Nearly every VR shooter incorporates covers. Approach a wall, and voilà, it’s a bullet shield. Yet, most treat walls as mere passive objects, failing to fully engage users physically.

Synapse breaks free from this by letting you interact with cover. You can grasp the wall, seamlessly pulling your body into or out of safety. This interaction feels instinctive and enhances gameplay fluidity.

As you physically manipulate your virtual body in concert with these structures, these barriers seem part of your reality. Tugging on a wall suddenly feels tangible because it becomes part of your proprioceptive model—your body’s spatial awareness gauge.

### Diving into Proprioception

Let’s detour briefly into proprioception. In essence, it’s your innate ability to sense where your body is in space.

Picture this: a cat effortlessly shifts its ear just as it nears a table’s edge without glancing. This is proprioception in action. The cat instinctively understands its spatial relationship with its surroundings.

In Synapse, grabbing a wall, moving your arm, and controlling how your body navigates it underscores this sense. Your engagement with the space becomes reflexive, turning simple structures into palpable, responsive elements of gameplay. You start to feel more anchored within the environment.

### Reload and Engage

Beyond cover, Synapse innovatively uses walls for reloading. Flick magazines from the walls into your gun—smart, quick, perfect for its fast-paced flair.

Stepping aside from embodiment momentarily—this design choice mirrors earlier XR design discussions, yet distinguishes itself with its fluid, fast-paced integration.

Instead of cumbersome reloading mechanics, it’s designed for seamless, engaging gunplay befitting its sci-fi setup. You’re free to focus on the thrill without fumbling through unnecessary complexity.

Brilliantly, this reload mechanic dovetails with the cover system. Maneuvering with one hand occupied—just plant your magazine against the wall to reload. Again, walls transition from passive to interactive. You gauge proximity, embedding these walls into your proprioceptive model.

Touching and feeling the world around you, and seeing it as tangible—that’s embodiment. While immersion captures our senses, embodiment grounds us deeper—it’s about tactile experience.

Stay with us in Synapse’s remarkable evolution as we explore telekinesis. Hop to Page 2 to catch more.