Introduction. An increasing number of location-based entertainment centers offers the possibility of entering multi-user virtual reality (VR) scenarios. Until now, neither cognition and emotions of users nor team experience have been scientifically evaluated in such an application. The present study investigated the gain of positive social interdependence while experiencing an adventure on the Immersive Deck of Illusion Walk (Berlin, Germany). Method. The preliminary version of a VR group adventure of the company was enriched by a task establishing social interdependence (IDP condition). The impact of IDP on social presence and cooperation (i.e., mutual importance) was evaluated relative to a control task without interdependence (nIDP condition). Results. Social IDP increased social presence and cooperation among participants. Additionally, behavioral involvement (part of presence), certain aspects of the adventure experience, and the affective evaluation during the experience were positively influenced by IDP. Discussion. The present study showed that interdependence can substantially enhance social presence and cooperation (i.e., mutual importance) in a VR setting already characterized by social co-experience. Thus, it revealed one design option (social IDP) to improve the experience, particularly the social experience, of location-based entertainment. Conclusion. The present research addressed one goal of location-based VR hosts to scientifically established design principles for social and collective adventures by supporting the impact of “collectively mastering an adventurous challenge”. In addition, our evaluation demonstrated that the multi-modal tracking, the free movement, as well as the multi-user features enabled natural interaction with other users and the environment, and thereby engendered a comfortable social experience.

Affective startle modulation often is attributed to the valence dimension of applied foreground stimuli, whereas alternative views refer to specific discrete emotions. Based on the idea of the startle reflex being a protective mechanism, the significance of threat to the acoustic startle response was tested. Affectively charged pictures were selected according to their quantified discrete-emotional distinctness: pictures primarily evoking sadness, anger, and disgust (low valence); pictures primarily evoking fear (threat; moderately low valence); and pictures primarily evoking happiness (high valence). Electromyography (EMG) of the orbicularis oculi muscle revealed substantial startle potentiation by the fear evoking stimuli. Moreover, evidence was found that disgust bears a strong relation to the startle reflex. In line with other recent studies the reported findings suggest that startle is being increased by threat to one's physical integrity, as is signaled by the discrete emotions of fear and disgust.