Unity Game: Designing Interactive Experiences for Teamwork Education
Project Overview
we created a collaborative, interactive , in-person physical card game to teach teamwork soft skills in a classroom setting. we modeled our game off of elements of dungeons & dragons and the card game ravine , adding elements of story and randomness for entertainment inspired from dungeons & dragons and the simplicity and structure from the card game ravine. The game is set in a fictional story setting of a corporate design team where you are learning to work together and create a product. This setting was chosen to closely mimic the real life setting where players are most likely to use these soft skills, and enhance the effectiveness of the learning from the game. in each round of the game , players use teamwork soft skill cards that describe a particular skill to build toward a teamwork principle and gain points to learn these skills along the way.we also Incorporated elements of possible struggles that people could encounter in the real world corporate settings such as maternity leave argument conflict with coworkers and training to mimic the struggles of a real team cooperation in a corporate setting to better help prepare students for this future
- My Role: UX/UI Design Lead & Creative Visionary
- Timeline: A creative sprint over 10 incredible weeks, started Jan 2024
- Mission: Craft an engaging, in-person card game to weave teamwork and soft skills into the fabric of classroom learning.
The Genesis of an Idea
Imagine stepping into a world where learning isn't just about listening but about living the lessons. That's the vision we started with. Our adventure began in a university course, where the challenge was not just to think outside the box but to recreate the box itself. Our goal was ambitious: to mimic the trials and triumphs of a corporate design team through the playful dynamics of a card game.
The Blueprint of Collaboration
The Seed of Inspiration:
Our brainstorming was a melting pot of ideas, drawing from our own life stories to the strategic depths of games like "Dominion" and the cooperative spirit of "Forbidden Island." I navigated our brainstorming ship, charting a course through the stormy seas of creativity.
Crafting the Core:
We anchored our game in the spirit of "Ravine," a survival game that tickled our fancy for its blend of challenge and camaraderie. My task was to transplant this spirit into an educational context, ensuring our game was a bridge between knowledge and experience.
From Mechanics to Magic:
Our game's heartbeat was its mechanics, transforming individual struggles into collective triumphs. Through numerous iterations, we discovered the magic formula: participation was key, and success was a shared treasure.
Trials, Triumphs, and Transformations
Our path was paved with challenges, from refining the crafting system to ensuring each game mechanic mirrored a learning outcome. The greatest lesson? The power of persistence and feedback in turning obstacles into opportunities.
Unveiling "Teamwork Triumph"
The final design includes a variety of materials for gameplay rules, ensuring an accessible and engaging learning experience. The visual design of the game, which I spearheaded, strikes a balance between fun and functionality.
Beta Testing and Feedback
During beta testing, we observed the game's success in engaging students and promoting discussion on teamwork principles. We also identified areas for improvement, such as the clarity of rules regarding energy tokens, which were subsequently refined.
- Tested on Feb 15, 2024
- Test size: whole class, 7 tables of four
- Test feedback collection: online anonymous survey
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Key takeaways:
- The importance of adaptability and user feedback in the game design process.
- The effectiveness of collaborative brainstorming in generating innovative solutions.
- The pivotal role of UX/UI design in creating an engaging educational tool.
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