The Subject is an escape room experience like no other. The game is designed for multiple players; one player enters a small, cramped box, and is locked inside. The other player(s) must solve a series of puzzles to free their teammate. The twist? The information they need to solve the puzzles is on the inside of the box. In the ultimate test of communication, concentration and calmness under pressure, players must work together to piece together a mysterious narrative, solve the puzzles, and free the subject from the box before their time is up…
Adulting? melds WarioWare-style minigames with a physical game-space and control inputs, as well as a real actor, to create a playable experience that forces players to examine what they prioritise, both inside and outside the game world. Participants take on the role of a parent and homemaker. Their immediate priority upon entering the playspace is to complete a simple set of chores: vacuuming, running a bath, and filling in a tax return form.
Put down new roots and become part of a close-knit community in Little Garden in the City, a meditative gardening sim. Envisioned as a slower-paced relative to Harvest Moon, the aim of this project was to pair simple farming sim gameplay mechanics with a cosy aesthetic to teach mindfulness and emotional self-care practices. The game was designed to be a mindfulness activity in itself. Players were encouraged to play the game over weeks and months rather than in one sitting, taking a break from their day to check in and slowly cultivate their garden: tending to their plants, listening to relaxing music and catching up with the cast of positive characters who would share their stories on the garden’s bulletin board.
Chapter 1 is an educational exploration game that is both fun to play as well as delivering an impactful learning experience. It is designed to tackle ‘blank page anxiety’ and other barriers preventing young people from engaging with creative writing in the classroom. Players design and take control of a protagonist, exploring different worlds, encountering enemies, puzzles and other obstacles. Rather than using combat, items or other RPG staples to pass obstacles, players must write out their own solutions using nothing more than a keyboard and their imagination.
In 2019 I co-produced Experiments in Play, an exhibition showcasing inventive and experimental playful experiences that sit at the intersection of games, interactive design, and creative technology. The show ran for three days, between 19-21 September, and included an opening night gala with a panel discussion on narrative in games. The showcase pushed the bounds of what games can offer as a medium, experimenting with the vast capabilities of play. The breadth of work on show included physical performances and workshops, interactive literature, VR & AR experiences, alternative controllers, and playable works of art, as well as more traditional video game and board game experiences.
Put down new roots and become part of a close-knit community in Little Garden in the City, a meditative gardening sim. Envisioned as a slower-paced relative to Harvest Moon, the aim of this project was to pair simple farming sim gameplay mechanics with a cosy aesthetic to teach mindfulness and emotional self-care practices. The game was designed to be a mindfulness activity in itself. Players were encouraged to play the game over weeks and months rather than in one sitting, taking a break from their day to check in and slowly cultivate their garden: tending to their plants, listening to relaxing music and catching up with the cast of positive characters who would share their stories on the garden’s bulletin board.
The Subject is an escape room experience like no other. The game is designed for multiple players; one player enters a small, cramped box, and is locked inside. The other player(s) must solve a series of puzzles to free their teammate. The twist? The information they need to solve the puzzles is on the inside of the box. In the ultimate test of communication, concentration and calmness under pressure, players must work together to piece together a mysterious narrative, solve the puzzles, and free the subject from the box before their time is up…
To Bee or Not To Bee is a VR experience about the importance of bees. Players are shrunk to the size of a bee, and must buzz their way around a garden environment, collecting nectar and pollinating flowers. As the game progresses a benevolent narrator teaches the player about bees and their importance to the everyday functions of the natural world. The experience emphasises exploration, both of the gameworld but also an exploration of the player’s own attitudes towards the natural world.