The weeks since Launch Pad have passed in a blur of full-time teaching (and department-running), as well as with continued pre-production for the two projects that I pitched as part of my OLP application: "Canopy" and "Invisible, Like Me". Both of these projects are what I call Empathy Narratives--interactive narrative experiences designed to enhance cognitive empathy, which is known, neurologically, to be capable of improvement via practices of various types.
Deliberation between two ideas you're passionate about is no easy task, but I've come to the conclusion that, for Launch Pad, it makes the most sense to pursue "Invisible, Like Me" in the time period we have. The project is, in its nature, a more intimate, scaled experience. With more stylized visuals intended, and a local, current setting, it's something I'm confident is achievable. "Canopy" will be an amazing experience as well, but one that would be much more feasible with a larger team, which I will be able to support if I'm selected for a scholarship.
Right now I'm finalizing a few aspects of documentation, while I'm working on mock-ups of the VR environment that "Invisible, Like Me" will take place within. I'm grateful for the lessons on the specifics on VR storytelling that were offered at the Launch Pad event, particularly Chris's discussion on comfort. It's led me to revisit some of my plans for navigation within the environment, and for the utilization of the control schemes offered through the swipe and tap on the headset, versus the need for more subtle controls offered via the controller.
Since, as I'm sure many of us are, I'm hoping to reach a broader, non-traditional VR audience, I'm hoping that I can focus upon the controls made possible by the headset touch pad, as I know from my experience as a game designer that each piece of tech added becomes a potential barrier for a non-traditional user.
Win of the week: Developing a firmer sense of the scale of the space, and of the narrative that I plan to explore in this experience.
Goals for the coming week: Next week I hope to include some mockups, as well as samples of script, or at least a narrative overview. Since I've made changes based on information gleaned at OLP, and after, I'm not ready to share those this week.
