About

Moving around in a 3D space on a 2D computer screen could be difficult and disorienting for first-time users, so the Mouse Tutorial was developed to instruct the user in how to best navigate within Unrealty locales. The locale features "Vara," Unrealty's virtual tour guide, instructing the user in how Unrealty's simplified mouse controls function, through the use of voice prompts and slides. Unlike video games of the time, Unrealty was set up by default to use only the mouse for navigation, simplifying movement. The locale itself is a Hollywood-style backlot, where the "town" you're navigating in is actually a set of facades within a large, enclosed sound stage. "Vara" was available for use within all Unrealty locales, and her lip-synching functionality was included.