XR could bring webtoons from your phone into your physical space.

      A new research platform combines comics with extended reality, allowing stories to envelop readers and interact based on their line of sight.

      KAIST

      Webtoons have already transitioned beyond print. Now, researchers aim for them to move beyond screens as well.

      ComiXR is an open-source platform for XR comics that transforms a physical space into a part of the narrative. Rather than scrolling through panels, readers can turn their heads to follow characters and reveal dialogue. While still in the experimental phase, the idea feels more like stepping into a comic than merely opening one.

      How does a room transform into a comic?

      ComiXR takes characters and speech bubbles out of traditional panels and positions them throughout the space around the reader. For instance, a character might be placed across the room, with their dialogue remaining concealed until the reader looks in that direction.

      KAIST

      Eye tracking offers creators some control over the pacing of each scene. The platform can delay dialogue until the corresponding character captures the reader's focus, minimizing the likelihood of encountering a conversation too soon. However, losing track of the storyline could now require scanning an entire room instead of just glancing back up the page.

      What happens when the comic responds?

      ComiXR also explores spatial audio and haptic feedback. A reader might feel a character's heartbeat, while sound directs their attention to another part of the scene.

      Facial expression tracking provides the system with another means to gauge a reader's response, although research is still ongoing regarding how creators could utilize this information. These features can enhance the immediacy of a scene, but they also necessitate more effort from the reader. What was once casual scrolling has evolved into a headset experience that demands ample space for movement and exploration.

      KAIST

      Where might XR comics truly shine?

      XR comics are not anticipated to replace webtoons that users enjoy on their phones. Accessing an app during a commute is far more convenient than donning a headset and clearing sufficient space to engage with a story.

      ComiXR is more suited for exhibitions or classrooms, where the necessary equipment can facilitate an immersive experience. Its open-source nature allows creators to experiment with the format without needing to develop the underlying platform themselves. Until XR technology becomes less cumbersome, spatial comics are likely to remain an intriguing trial rather than the conventional way of reading.

      Paulo Vargas is an English major turned journalist turned technical writer, with a career that has consistently circled back to…

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