Slingshot: A Novel Gesture Locomotion Technique for Fast-paced Gameplay in Virtual Reality

This paper presents the Slingshot, a Virtual Reality (VR) locomotion technique that uses a pull gesture to move the user to a selected location, inspired by firing the player like a projectile from a slingshot. The user selects how far they will travel by pressing the trigger on a dedicated controller and pulling back, tensioning the slingshot. The user will be shot in their chosen direction if the trigger is released while the slingshot is tensioned, with their final destination projected as a target on the ground. The motion of the slingshot technique is akin to a dash in a video game or a short to medium-ranged, continuous boost in velocity to the user's selected destination. This movement technique was designed for fast-paced environments, allowing users to quickly evade close-ranged obstacles/attacks and easily travel medium to long distances.