Exploring Empathy Through VR: Survey Insights from Gaza Time Tunnel at ImmerseKL 2025

At the heart of every immersive experience lies a simple question: Did it move you? When we built the Gaza Time Tunnel VR installation for ImmerseKL 2025, we knew the power of virtual reality could do more than just inform, it could feel. But how do we know if that emotional resonance truly landed with our audience? That’s why we ran a post-experience survey, to measure not just what visitors thought, but what they felt.

Why We Gathered Feedback

The Gaza Time Tunnel VR showcased only a partial excerpt of the full experience we’re building. Despite its limited runtime, we hoped it would spark emotional connection, historical reflection, and curiosity for more. To test that, we asked visitors to rate 10 statements on a Likert scale (1 = Strongly Disagree, 5 = Strongly Agree), covering elements such as emotional impact, understanding of Gaza’s history, technical ease, empathy, and interest in the full version.

A total of 58 participants responded. Here's what we learned.

1. Sentiment Scores Were Overwhelmingly Positive

On average, respondents rated the experience very highly across all dimensions. When we calculated a sentiment score for each participant (by averaging their ratings), the overall average was near the maximum. This confirms that the Gaza Time Tunnel succeeded in delivering a powerful and meaningful experience, even in its abbreviated form.

2. Emotional Impact and Empathy Are Closely Linked

We found a strong correlation between questions related to emotional power and feelings of empathy. Those who felt emotionally affected were also more likely to express a deeper sense of connection to the people of Gaza. This aligns with our core goal: to make Gaza’s stories more than headlines—to make them human.

3. Clarity and Immersion Drive Engagement

Other strongly correlated factors include:

• Clarity of the storyline ↔ Likelihood to recommend

• Audio-visual immersion ↔ Perceived ease-of-use

• Understanding Gaza’s history ↔ Desire to experience the full version

These patterns suggest that technical quality and narrative clarity are not just aesthetic choices, they’re gateways to impact.

This feedback gives us clarity and encouragement as we continue developing the full Gaza Time Tunnel VR. The data speaks volumes, but your presence, curiosity, and emotional investment speak louder.

To everyone who took time to wear the headset, walk through history, and share your thoughts, thank you. You’re not just a participant; you’re part of a growing community that believes storytelling can bridge worlds and rebuild empathy, one immersive moment at a time.

Stay tuned. The tunnel gets deeper.