Comparing Flow, Narrative, and Spatial Immersion in an HMD-AR Serious Game for Museum Learning

Abstract

Head-mounted display augmented reality (HMD-AR) can enrich museum-based game-based learning by situating interactive digital content in relation to physical exhibits, but may also distract visitors or shift attention away from interpretation. This paper investigates how flow, narrative, and spatial immersion relate to appreciation-related outcomes in an HMD-AR serious game for museum learning. We designed a coral-reef protection game in three variants, each foregrounding one immersive quality. In a between-subjects field study with 144 valid museum visitors, participants experienced one variant and completed questionnaires and short interviews. Results showed a differentiated pattern: the flow-enhanced variant showed the clearest alignment between design emphasis and perceived immersion, while the spatial-enhanced variant highlighted a tension between environmental richness and awareness of the surrounding museum space. Narrative immersion was associated with perceived meaning and educational value, whereas post-experience engagement intentions were mainly shaped by prior engagement. We argue that HMD-AR museum games should align specific immersive qualities with interpretation, attention, and meaning-making rather than maximize immersion as a generic goal.