Brief: Design a way for people to experience The Hoffmann Centre collections.
Team: Eric, Giada, Luchen, Binru
Figma prototype
Our group chose to use Figma to create our game, as Figma can export the HTML files directly, which is convenient for publishing the game on an online library. Based on the wireframe that we completed last week, we started to design the game’s interfaces.
In the “Citizen” storyline, the player is asked to complete three different tasks. They are Obtaining information at the Hoffmann Information Centre, Exploring the virtual environment and Debating with the government officials.
Task 1
In Task 1, the player needs to go into the Hoffmann Information Centre to search for resources and then put the ones they find helpful into her notebook. This information was sourced from the Hoffmann Centre’s online library. Also, we read a large number of articles. With the help of experts, we extracted the important information within these articles. We visualised the important data that was mentioned in the articles so that the player could understand the information more easily.
Task 2
In Task 2, the player enters a virtual environment which is the living environment of the homeless. The player can explore within the environment to learn about the homeless people’s current situation and think about how to make their living environment better. During the exploration, the player can find some information about the living environment of homeless people. The player needs to collect this information and use it to help them.
Task 3
Task 3 is the final task for the “Citizen” character, in which the player plays a game of question and answer. The player as a “Citizen” needs to interact with the computer playing the role of a “Government official” and a “Building developer” and answer questions posed by the NPC (non-player character). The player uses the information collected in Task 1 and Task 2 to support his/her views and persuade the “Government official” and a “Building developer” to build a sustainable and healthy built environment.
Project feedback & Reflection
Some people argued Task 2 in our game, which they thought was exploiting the homeless people. After getting this feedback, our group did some serious reflection on Task 2. Our intention was to get people to care and help the homeless people, and building the VR environment was only to enhance the sense of immersion for the player, not to harm the homeless people. We needed to redesign Task 2 in the game to avoid a weaponised design.
