Why ‘Embodiment’ Matters More Than ‘Immersion’

Inside the world of XR design, we’re diving into another fascinating example today—Synapse, a PSVR 2 exclusive from nDreams. Our focus? The intriguing concept of embodiment and its vital role in crafting unforgettable VR experiences.

Can you believe it’s been a year since we first explored this topic? Even as we step into 2025, the insights remain timely and relevant. We’re revisiting this discussion to highlight embodiment’s significance in the world of VR.

If you’d rather watch than read, check out the full video below. Or keep reading for our text adaptation.

Let’s kick things off by defining embodiment within the context of VR. Today, we’ll dissect the game Synapse, released in 2023. Specifically, we’re analyzing it through the lens of embodiment.

You might be wondering why I’m talking about embodiment when I could be discussing Synapse’s thrilling shootouts and smart design. Trust me, understanding embodiment will illuminate why certain design choices in Synapse shine so brightly.

Embodiment, simply put, is the sensation of being physically present in a virtual world. It’s that feeling of actually standing right there amidst the digital landscape.

“But isn’t this immersion you’re talking about?” you ask. Well, yes and no. While we often use immersion to describe these feelings, there’s a subtle distinction I want to make between the two terms.

Think of immersion as having your undivided attention. A gripping movie, for instance, can be immersive by drawing you in entirely. Yet, has any movie ever made you believe you were physically inside its story? Not quite.

Enter embodiment. Unlike immersion, which relates to attention, embodiment involves feeling a physical presence within the virtual surroundings.

VR games inherently offer immersion by occupying your vision and hearing—they automatically have your attention the moment you put on a headset.

However, certain VR experiences take it a step further. It’s not just about being captivated but genuinely feeling like your body’s been transported to this alternate reality. As if reaching out, you could touch and interact with the virtual world around you.

So, immersion is about attention; embodiment is about feeling genuinely there in the environment.

Embodiment isn’t just a switch that flips on or off. It exists on a spectrum. Some VR games dabble in it, while others dive deep. So, what sets them apart?

Let’s delve into how Synapse achieves this.

At first glance, Synapse may seem like just another VR shooter. But its design is purposefully crafted to evoke a robust sense of embodiment. Key among its features is the cover system.

Most VR shooters include cover, where walls protect you from enemy fire. Typically, these walls exist as immovable barriers, not interacting with your body beyond that function.

In Synapse, however, walls aren’t just there for blocking. They’re designed to be interactive—you can grab them, pulling yourself in and out of cover naturally, enhancing gameplay.

As you physically navigate around these walls, they begin to feel more real. By using them as anchors, they integrate into what’s known in neuroscience as your proprioceptive model.

Proprioception? That’s the body’s sense of positioning. Remember that clip of the cat approaching a table, effortlessly moving its ear to avoid a bump? That’s proprioception. It helps the cat gauge its spatial relationship with the table, all without needing to look at it.

In Synapse, proprioception comes into play when you understand that moving your hand in relation to the wall directly influences your body’s position.

Walls are no longer distant objects. They become meaningful elements interacting with you—changing how you experience the digital space. As you engage, your mind keenly tracks their position relative to you. This fosters a deeper sense of embodiment, making the virtual feel tangible.

And walls in Synapse are functional beyond shelter. They’re part of your reloading process.

Let me sidestep embodiment for a moment. The reloading system in Synapse is intriguing. Unlike the intricate weapon mechanics of Half-Life: Alyx, Synapse opts for a fast-paced approach fitting its run-and-gun style. Magazines hover mid-air, reducing complex reloading layers while preserving the fun and pace.

This clever design pairs seamlessly with the cover mechanics. Holding the cover requires one hand, so reloading needs another solution. Enter walls as your tool to slide magazines into weapons—a practical, engaging strategy in the game.

This interaction isn’t just a clever mechanism; it enriches that sense of reality. Smartly using proximity to walls strengthens spatial awareness, aligning with your proprioception model.

Through these seamless interactions—using walls for movement and reloading—walls transcend mere visuals. They’re touchpoints elevating the realism of your virtual presence.

When the digital world feels real, it stirs the sensation of standing within it. That’s embodiment. While VR games will always captivate through immersion, embodiment taps into tactile engagement—enhancing our emotional and physical connection.

And when it comes to interacting with the digital landscape, Synapse goes above and beyond with its brilliant telekinesis system. Want to dive deeper? Check out page 2 to discover how Synapse extends the boundaries of virtual engagement.