Nazar Research Center for Art, Architecture and Urbanism (NRC) The Monthly Scientific Journal of Bagh-e Nazar 1735-9635 23 155 2026 04 21 The Effect of Speed and Scale on Movement Behaviors in Virtual Environments The Effect of Speed and Scale on Movement Behaviors in Virtual Environments 43 56 240772 10.22034/bagh.2026.519648.5805 FA Arash Hosseini Alamdari Department of Architecture, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Malayer University, Iran Zahra Torkaman Department of Architecture, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Malayer University, Iran Seyedeh Faezeh Etemad Sheykhaleslami Department of Architecture, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Malayer University, Iran Journal Article 2025 04 28 Problem statement: Success in designing virtual environments requires maximizing the quality of users’ experience within these digital spaces. Such environments also allow for the adjustment of fundamental environmental properties, including avatar speed and spatial scale. Therefore, understanding the effects of altering these basic variables on user behavior, particularly movement behaviors, is essential. Research objective: In this regard, the present research investigates the effect of avatar speed, environmental structure scale, and environmental information density on users’ movement strategies. It is hoped that this study will provide useful results for various applications, from game design to assistive virtual environments. Research method: The paradigm of this research is post-positivist, and in terms of objective, it falls under applied research. The research data were obtained by observing the behavior of users -including 18 participants experienced in computer games - during search activities in a virtual environment, and then extracting their behavioral patterns by 9 other users. The findings from this part were validated through a Delphi method. The collected data were analyzed using regression tests for each dependent variable separately. Conclusion: The results indicate that speed, scale, and environmental information density influence the movement behaviors adopted by users in the virtual environment. Speed and environmental information density particularly affect motion-strategy-based behaviors, such as the distance traveled in straight paths, whereas scale primarily influences behaviors related to spatial structure, such as the preferred distance from walls and edges. An individual’s search efficiency is also affected by environmental information density. Problem statement: Success in designing virtual environments requires maximizing the quality of users’ experience within these digital spaces. Such environments also allow for the adjustment of fundamental environmental properties, including avatar speed and spatial scale. Therefore, understanding the effects of altering these basic variables on user behavior, particularly movement behaviors, is essential. Research objective: In this regard, the present research investigates the effect of avatar speed, environmental structure scale, and environmental information density on users’ movement strategies. It is hoped that this study will provide useful results for various applications, from game design to assistive virtual environments. Research method: The paradigm of this research is post-positivist, and in terms of objective, it falls under applied research. The research data were obtained by observing the behavior of users -including 18 participants experienced in computer games - during search activities in a virtual environment, and then extracting their behavioral patterns by 9 other users. The findings from this part were validated through a Delphi method. The collected data were analyzed using regression tests for each dependent variable separately. Conclusion: The results indicate that speed, scale, and environmental information density influence the movement behaviors adopted by users in the virtual environment. Speed and environmental information density particularly affect motion-strategy-based behaviors, such as the distance traveled in straight paths, whereas scale primarily influences behaviors related to spatial structure, such as the preferred distance from walls and edges. An individual’s search efficiency is also affected by environmental information density.

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