Zero-Sum vs. Positive-Sum: Effects of Inter-team Competition Modes and Haptic Feedback on Team Flow in Multi-team VR

Virtual reality (VR), particularly through multi-user VR systems, enhances collaboration and immersion. However, multi-team VR systems (MTVR), which allow several teams to interact, either by cooperating or competing, are less studied. Drawing inspiration from concepts in game theory, specifically the positive-sum game (PSG) and zero-sum game (ZSG), this study investigated the impact of inter-team competition modes at the team level and haptic feedback at the individual level on team flow and individual flow for the first time. An experimental MTVR that supports inter-team competition in a two-person vs two-person pattern was implemented first. Then, a $2 \times 2$ within-subject experiment was conducted to examine the effects of different inter-team competition modes (PSG/ZSG) and haptic feedback (on/off). The results based on 188 participants indicate that the PSG mode leads to significantly higher levels of collective ambition and improved team relationships compared to the ZSG mode. Furthermore, providing haptic feedback can significantly enhance awareness of shared and personal task goals, resulting in more cautious performance during teamwork.