Using simulation technologies, such as VR, to reproduce narratives is often referred to ‘immersive’ storytelling. ‘Immersive’ storytelling (well, storytelling is immersive per se) can be challenging as two opposing cognitive states, and types of immersions, interfere with each other (Kukshinov, 2023). Despite that, it is a fascinating emerging field in the narrative engagement scholarship. We can try to exploit the benefits of the simulation technologies to increase audience engagement but we have to maintain the attention to the narrative.

• The main issue is that narrative has a linear structure, i.e., it needs to be perceived in a certain way to engage consumers as it was intended. However, with immersive or simulation technologies, e.g., 360-degree videos, consumers are free to guide their attention and, therefore, the perception of a narrative. In other words, there is no guarantee consumers would get the story.
• At the same time, moving your head around at all times may be detrimental to formulating mental ties with the narrative and so called narrative transportation.
• As a result, it is an additional challenge to combine narratives with immersive or simulation technologies (which is well done in video games).

See: Kukshinov, E. (2023). Experiential Challenges of and Opportunities for Applying Immersive Technologies with Storytelling. PRESENCE: Virtual and Augmented Reality, 1–35.  https://doi.org/10.1162/pres_a_00365 [NOTE: the year can be seen as 2021, but it is 2023]