What was the original idea?

The Game Box is a physical space built with four walls and entrance and exit door. Inside the box will be 360 screens that allowing for visual interaction all around the room, as well as surround created by using a speaker in each corner of the room. The interactions will take place through touch or possibly motion and gesture control. We would want this experience to be collaborative, encouraging discussion and teamwork to complete some small objectives.

How has the idea developed?

We have decided that this experience will now be personal (solo) as this removes the potential of the player being influenced poorly by other users in the room. It was found through discussion with our classmates and friends that for them to have an authentic experience and make the most of the regulative tools, they would need to be free from perception. They expressed that they would feel uncomfortable to act freely from fear of judgement, which is completely understandable.

Developed gameplay loop

Activity/Risk: Engage in the virtual environment to carry out methods of self-care and regulation such as breathing exercises.

Reward: Accomplish the regulation of your emotional and physical symptoms of overwhelms in a safe space and experience stunning/calming/interesting sounds and visuals to feel immersed and at ease.

Opportunity: Take action to feel relaxed and refreshed in an accessible safe space, available at you university/place of work where you are likely to struggle regulating in those environments.

How does this benefit the player?

• Provides a safe space in an otherwise stressful setting (if used as an intervention in schools, universities, workplaces, hospitals etc.).
• Personal experience that allows them to regulate their feelings of overwhelm without observation and in their own time.
• Complete immersion using surround screens, sound and relaxing visuals.
• Guided self-regulation techniques that may be otherwise unknown or unable to practice in another setting.
• A virtual environment that would otherwise be unable to visit in moments of overwhelm.