BEGINNING PHASE 3:
Tuesday 8th November 2021
What does Phase 3 entail?
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Play
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Prototyping
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Test
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Create
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Make
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Combine links/common themes with potential class mate/group
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Present 3 distinctive game ideas at the end of the phase
Phase 3 - The Create Phase
THE CREATE PHASE! During this phase I will be brainstorming potential game concepts and ideas and taking them forward by making a series of prototypes. This can include paper, lego animation and other physical objects to demonstrate the main interactions of the game.
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During these next few weeks we should also start thinking about combining links with another classmate and grouping up to take our ideas further. Once we have 3 distinctive ideas we must prototype, test and present them back to the class.
WHAT IS MY PLAN?
Week 6 - 10
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Week 6
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Potentially combine links with a teammate - I can evaluate if any other topics have relevant links where we can combine.
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Begin ideation methods to create potential game ideas - this will involve lotus flower method, mind-mapping, crazy 8 and other ideation techniques.
Week 7
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Expand a few game ideas - Gather more research if need be, into technology etc.
Week 8-9
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Prototyping - Prototyping must be rapid and take advantage of physical supplies such as paper and lego. I can also carry out testing for these prototypes to gather suggestions and feedback.
Week 10
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3 distinct ideas - By the end of Phase 3 I should have 3 distinct game ideas and prototypes to present back to the class on the 7th December.
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WHERE DO I BEGIN?
Combining Themes/Links
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My Objectives & Aims
I'd love to take what I've learned over the past few weeks forward and use this to influence game ideas which can benefit others. My main objectives involve impacting both mental and physical health and to focus on regulating emotions through methods which can help you during times that may be overwhelming or lead to the feeling of anxiety/panic. I'd love to use the way music stimulates emotions in order to regulate these emotions - almost like your own form of therapy.
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Potential collaborators
Who can I work with? After watching other classmates present their research points back to the class I have evaluated the topics which had most relevance to me.
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Kiera - Safe Spaces
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Kiera's presentation was mostly based on the idea of safe spaces and comfort zones, specifically looking at sensory stimulation. There is an obvious link between our two themes involving emotional regulation. mental health, Immersion and the use of sound to do this. I feel it could be great to combine links and take forward the idea of impacting others by using sensory stimulation and the effects of music/sound to achieve this.
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LINK TO KIERA'S NOTION:
https://www.notion.so/Semester-One-5f226287557f42baa97013ece908b421
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Kiera's Work
Kiera's phase 2 research consisted of Senses and Stimulation, Technology, Music and sound and Comfort Zones. Kiera also carried out a survey to gather research into safe spaces involving comfort items and music.
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This work involved deeper research into the senses such as sound and sight, and the way sound can be used as a "regulation of stress". As well as this, Kiera touched on the use of Music Therapy to regulate emotions and to treat those struggling with mental health such as depression.
Kiera's Work
Kiera also looked into sight - specifically the way engaging ones focus can also benefit mental health. (Distraction methods) This also included elements which are "stimulating to the eyes" such as hypnotic displays of shapes and colour.
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Immersion
Lastly, Kiera touched on Immersion! She wrote about how art can be combined with stimulation to achieve immersive experiences and evoke particular emotions. Kiera furthered her research by looking into existing immersive exhibitions and experiences. I can combine this with my own research into Immersion and together we could potentially create an environment for people, taking into consideration ways to regulate emotions and how sound can be used to achieve this.
WHY ARE WE TEAMING UP?
Kiera's intentions within her research are very similar to my own! Kiera focused on the idea of a safe space, engaging senses and benefitting mental health. She also touched on the effects of music and how it can be used to 'regulate stress'. Our direction of travel within our research were very similar and after her presentation It was clear that we had several cross-over themes. Having known Kiera for 2 and a half years I am aware that she is a huge mental health advocate and is passionate towards creating Games for Change. Previously we have spoken about working together to achieve this and saw this as the best opportunity to start our journey. Not only can I use Kiera's research to help and influence my own, but we can combine what we've learned to achieve the best possible outcome! I am excited to work with Kiera and am very enthusiastic towards progressing with this project.
DISCUSSION:
To begin Phase 3, Kiera and I had a discussion with our Course Leader Adam Procter, to discuss next steps and our reasoning for combining links. Adam Procter provided us with feedback and further research avenues to enhance our project to the best of our ability and guided us through the basis of the Project Proposal. In Phase 4, we should start thinking about forming our Proposal and working collaboratively to complete each section. We plan to do a thorough amount of research in the next few weeks to be able to support our ideas and explore our options for the final idea we will Design and Develop in Semester 2.
FEEDBACK:
WHAT TO DO NEXT?
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Go back to the basics of Game Designs - understand player experience, interactions and agency.
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Find examples of games with same intentions
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Establish audience - who are we targeting this towards?
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Look at Lunar - VR Game
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How to make the experience more personal? - Care packages etc
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Intervention - why is it being made? why is it there?
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More about Uni students to cope with stress and reduce feelings of anxiety.
WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE?
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Taking on this feedback, I will begin by focusing on the basics of Games Design in order to familiarise myself with this:
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I will also work with Kiera to establish our target audience and be more direct with what we'd like to achieve.
I will speak with Kiera to establish our project goals and begin by sharing research ideas where we can eventually form an essential experience and player experience.
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This will then lead to ideation methods and techniques combining the depths of our research.
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Other sections of research, prototyping and testing can also be found here:
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