A Study on Real-Time Stress Detection in Virtual Reality Using a Stealth Game

We present a study on stress detection in virtual reality using The Last Secret, a stealth game we developed that integrates advanced multimodal stress detection techniques and in-game behavioral metrics. Our game responds to the player’s emotional state and stress levels, dynamically adapting its gameplay in real-time. Players need to manage their stress to navigate the game effectively: maintaining calmness keeps them in an optimal flow state, whereas excessive stress can push them into a frustrating state, making progression significantly more difficult. We present experimental results showing the impact of stress-modulated gameplay on player engagement and performance, revealing findings aligned with the flow theory.