# Countering the Novelty Effect: A Tutorial for Immersive Virtual Reality Learning Environments
## 2 State of the Art  
Tutorials have emerged to complement video games, so that players can learn to play and to engage themselves in the video game. However, the importance of the tutorials in non-VR video games depends on the complexity of the video game. This idea is supported by a study in which 45,000 players tried three video games of varying complexity. The duration of each video game level and the return rate were analyzed. According to the results, the tutorials were only useful when the video games were complex [12]. The tutorials positively influenced the time spent playing the video game and the number of completed levels. Tutorials for simpler video games hardly appeared necessary, because players can learn the mechanics faster through experimentation. The same can be said of some iVR applications [16], although tutorials are not usually included, as [PERSON] et al. [1] noted. In their review, 10% of the papers reported games using tutorials for players to learn what to do in their iVR experiences, which were usually included as an introduction or first level [17; 18; 19; 20; 21]. However, some tutorials were included to accustom players to the iVR environment, and so that they could learn how to interact with the objects, as proposed in the work of [PERSON] et al. [22]. SteamVR was used in the research of [PERSON] et al. [23] to teach the users how to use HTC Vive hand-controllers. These tutorials both serve as an introduction for users to the iVR world and as a means of gaining familiarity with the interaction devices and their functions, thereby reducing the novelty effect [9]. One option to use the tutorial before playing was described in [24], also reviewed in [PERSON] et al. [1]. Furthermore, tutorials can be presented in different forms in video games. One of the first approaches is the context-sensitive tutorial. The presentation style of this sort of tutorial consists of showing the video game mechanics using text when the user needs the information. The text appears in relation to the player, in a way quite unlike the context-insensitive tutorial. The context-sensitive tutorial presents the video game mechanics without a filter: all the information is shown simultaneously at the outset [12]. Tutorials can also incorporate hinting systems, which are intended to improve performance and with which most players will be familiar and will find helpful [16]. However, there is little investigation in the area of iVR applications. One example is the study of [PERSON] et al. [16], in which different forms of iVR tutorials were compared: text instructions that interrupt the gameplay, context-sensitive, and context-insensitive. In their study, the conclusion was that the context-sensitive tutorial had a higher positive effect than presenting all the instructions with text. In research works about iVR learning experiences, tutorials are not usually included. The acquisition and improvement of knowledge and skill are generally compared between an iVR group and a reference group following a traditional learning methodology (e.g., a desktop computer-based methodology), such as the example given in [PERSON] et al. [25]. However, the levels of acceptance of iVR and desktop computer technologies were not considered in their research, as those variables could not cause the expected effects in learning enhancement, even when user satisfaction was very high [17]. The conclusions of other studies were likewise that iVR had no effect on learning [26; 27; 28; 29]. Beyond the introductory tutorials, the real-world tutorials reviewed in [30] let players practice in real and virtual environments prior to playing an iVR application. One consequence of using this type of tutorial was increased familiarity and confidence with the environment and the positive effects of practicing in both real and virtual environments were clearly demonstrated. Despite the limited research on tutorials for iVR learning applications, it is worth considering the information to be transmitted before starting to design the tutorial.