Zero Latency VR Engaged Scientist to Study Recreational Fear
The virtual reality company hired an academic to analyze why guests pay to experience simulated horror and stress.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Science Fiction
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Zero Latency VR has partnered with Arizona State University scientist Coltan Scrivner to study the psychology behind recreational fear. The collaboration follows the company's recent milestones in providing immersive horror gaming experiences.
Why it matters
The partnership seeks to understand why consumers voluntarily pay for high-stress entertainment scenarios. By blending academic research with commercial VR, the company aims to better understand the physiological and psychological drivers of its player base.
Zero Latency VR currently operates over 150 venues across 34 countries. The company continues to offer horror-themed double-feature experiences using its proprietary immersive VR technology.
The players
Zero Latency VR
This is a virtual reality company based in Melbourne, Australia, that operates a global network of gaming venues.
Coltan Scrivner
He is a research scientist at Arizona State University and the author of the book Morbidly Curious.
The details
The collaboration marks the third anniversary of the Outbreak zombie shooter and the first anniversary of the Haunted experience. Dr. Scrivner, who authored the book Morbidly Curious, will apply his expertise in recreational fear to the company's existing library of stressful game titles.
Timeline
October 2023 marked the launch of the Outbreak zombie survival shooter.
October 2025 saw the debut of the Haunted haunted house experience.
October 1, 2026, served as the formal announcement of the collaboration with Dr. Coltan Scrivner.
Industry Dynamics
This partnership reflects a broader trend of bridging academic psychology with the commercial entertainment industry to enhance immersive experiences. The move suggests a shift toward data-driven emotional design in the rapidly evolving VR gaming sector.
Players can expect future horror experiences at local venues to incorporate insights gained from this psychological research. These updates may influence the intensity and design of upcoming VR gaming titles offered by the company.
The takeaway
Understanding the human response to simulated fear helps developers refine the balance between entertainment and intensity. Consumers can expect a more scientifically tailored approach to the horror elements featured in future VR game releases.
Further reading
For more on how narrative-driven tech is evolving, see the latest in Science Fiction.
Live Poll
Do you believe intentionally seeking out frightening experiences is a healthy way to manage stress?
