As part of the B-prepared project, MSc students at HVL have been exploring how virtual reality (VR) can support disaster preparedness training. Their work has resulted in two VR games designed to simulate fire evacuations from a classroom, guiding participants along a specific escape route through campus to safety.
TWO APPROACHES: MINECRAFT VS. UNITY
The students developed two distinct VR experiences:
By comparing these two approaches, we aim to investigate not only the broader B-prepared question: How effective is VR training compared to real-life training? – but also whether visual quality and fidelity impact training outcomes. To get inspiration for using new technologies in emergency preparedness, the students first downloaded the IM-prepared mobile app and completed the landslide scenario.
THE VR TRAINING WORKSHOP
To test the games, our colleague, Daniel Patel, organized an intensive VR training workshop on 24th April 2025. Participants were divided into three groups:
Each group later performed the evacuation drill in real life, allowing us to measure how training methods influenced performance. We are also planning to include a fourth group that will watch a 2D video of the evacuation route before attempting the drill.
THE VR TRAINING WORKSHOP
To test the games, our colleague, Daniel Patel, organized an intensive VR training workshop on 24th April 2025. Participants were divided into three groups:
Each group later performed the evacuation drill in real life, allowing us to measure how training methods influenced performance. We are also planning to include a fourth group that will watch a 2D video of the evacuation route before attempting the drill.
Participants completed questionnaires covering qualitative aspects such as:
Although the data has not yet been analyzed, we expect fascinating insights into how no training compares to 2D video, Minecraft VR and Unity VR training.
WHY MINECRAFT MATTERS
If results show that even low-fidelity Minecraft training has a measurable positive effect, it could be a game-changer. Minecraft scenarios are quick and inexpensive to build, easily distributed, and naturally support multiplayer experiences – making them highly scalable for disaster preparedness training.
LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE WORKSHOP
Running the VR training workshop offered valuable takeaways for future experiments and live drills:
LOOKING AHEAD
These early experiments help to shape the final B-prepared live drill. By testing different training modalities side by side, we will gain a clearer understanding of what works, for whom and under what conditions. If accessible platforms like Minecraft prove effective, disaster preparedness training could become far more engaging, scalable and impactful.
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