Prototypes & Concepts (10/14-10/20)
This week I wanted to continue ideating to brainstorm more prototype concepts. I wasn’t satisfied with a card game with prompts as it is such a saturated market already. Also, it didn’t quite convey the interactions and conversations I wanted to create. I continued research on how to facilitate conversations and other methods of gameplay where people could interact and discuss.
Research/Inspiration
Board game: Catch a cat \\ Modular Game Board
I’m currently exploring other gaming elements. This one uses a modular style board where you can layer items and rearrange tiles. It’s an interesting way to change gameplay every round while still being fun.
Stages of Grief
https://psychcentral.com/lib/the-5-stages-of-loss-and-grief/
I looked into the stages of grief to see if they could somehow be translated into a storytelling element into gaming.
Hybrid Board game \\ Integrating mobile experience with a board game
This game combined a mobile experience with a tangible board game through QR codes. I’ve never seen a mobile touchpoint integrated into a board game.
Mootal Dosa \\ Integrating culture into a game
https://www.behance.net/gallery/59281809/MOOTAL-DOSA?tracking_source=search%7Cboard%20game
This board game caught my attention because it captured culture very strongly into the visual brand identity. The branding and strength of the language is something I also want to attain.
Concept Ideation
I continued ideating on what other forms “facilitating conversations” could take besides cards or prompts. I felt that prompts were too intimidating and too blunt to start actual conversations. How can I push my concept to actually engage people with the topic around grief and loss?
Interactive Installation
Could there be an installation that requires 2 people to talk before making something happen?
Between strangers?
What if no one wants to talk?
Digital Board - Write on the board and stories are curated on another platform
In order to share multiple people’s stories, maybe a digital board would allow for a physical platform
A way to visually show stories in one place
Board Game - Navigate through loss together
Can 2+ people navigate through loss together
They need to discuss why they are making certain decisions to make certain actions
Storytelling Platform
A digital storytelling platform?
How can we showcase people’s stories about loss and grief in a safe way?
Existing concept - card game with prompts
Prompts allow people to have guided conversations
Is this the most appropriate way to have conversations?
Out of the 5 concepts, the board game stood out to me the most. It had more interaction than conversation cards, because people would need to talk about why they make certain decisions over others.
It would be interesting to frame it around “navigating loss together” where people follow the journey of someone who is experiencing grief. There could be decision points around alone time vs. being with close friends, praying vs lighting a candle, crying vs. being angry, etc.. There are many opportunities for this game to include modularity, storytelling, and/or a digital counterpart.
Opportunities around:
Digital experience
Modular board
Different categories: different types of loss, emotions, rituals, etc.
Type of game board: hard surface vs. soft surface
Actions: cards with actions vs. actions on the board
Prototype 3
Board Game - Navigating through Loss
This concept allows people to follow the story of someone who is experiencing loss. They need to collaborate and discuss why they are making certain choices for the ultimate goal of sorting through their emotions.
How might we create an experience to help people understand the emotions and feelings behind loss and grief?
How might we create a collaborative activity to help people understand the stages of grief?
Ideas:
A linear journey with a start and end with the goal to understand loss
Gameplay where the goal is to collect all the emotions or specific actions
A game with different modes: losing family, losing a friend, anticipatory grief
Action cards that people draw on every turn - makes gameplay different every time
Shuffle action cards and place on the board to create a new board every time
A modular game board that is constantly being rearranged and played differently.
Different boards for different categories such as emotions, stages of grief, etc.
Mini puzzles or collectables to finish each section
A visual way of navigating through emotions
Integrating a mobile experience with QR codes or digital counterpart. Possibility of adding a digital version for different types of gameplay.
User Personas
Reflection
This week I found a better focus for my project that I’m more excited to explore. I want to focus on facilitating conversations and cards with prompts or letting go of thoughts in a piggy bank wasn’t doing what I wanted my prototypes to do. I want more interaction between people. A board game might be a good activity for people to explore topics of grief and loss with actual discussion without it feeling too forced with prompts.
Next Steps
Next week I hope to be able to create a prototype around 1 of my game ideas around the stages of grief. If I can at least create one section focused on one stage of grief, it may give me good start on how to approach this idea. I am meeting with Sarah Davis next week. She is a someone who has experienced the loss of a parent and is now creating a podcast centered around stories of loss. I will try to get some first hand feedback on my concept to see what she thinks.