The Imperative Nature of Communication and Understanding through Geometric Form within Virtual Environments
By: Brandon Souders
Supervisor: Michael McCoy
Masters of Interactive Technology degree conferred March 23rd, 2007
Thesis / Project completed: March 21st, 2007

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the communication between players and the surrounding environment.  Within virtual environments basic geometric forms provide the basis for this communication.  A solid understanding of the potential of this communication helps to provide spaces that are more easily understood by players.  In addition, this study breaks down communication through form into three categories:  Emotional and Visual Response, Spatial Relationships, and Organization.

Each of these categories is a major contributing factor to environmental communication.  However, they each communicate several different things and this study provides an imperative broad knowledge of each. A final table of conclusions provides examples and techniques to help to increase the overall player experience through this environmental communication.

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