“You Are Under Watch: Designing an Uncomfortable Pervasive Game for Critical Reflection and Player Equity” presented by Tian, Truesdell and Lee
Symposium:
Session Title:
- Games for Change (short papers)
Presentation Title:
- You Are Under Watch: Designing an Uncomfortable Pervasive Game for Critical Reflection and Player Equity
Presentation Subtheme:
- Speculative practices
Presenter(s):
Abstract:
Discomfort in digital design has recently emerged as an open space for exploration, challenging notions that play and digital experience should strive towards pure “fun” or frictionless interaction. Pervasive games, which blend gameplay into players’ regular lives, offer an apt means of exploring discomfort by situating play activities within the real world. Uncomfortable pervasive games are uniquely positioned to prompt critical reflection in players by integrating discomfort from game mechanics with real-world concerns encountered during everyday life. This paper details the design process for Under Watch, a pervasive game aimed at investigating the relationship between uncomfortable interactions and moments of critical reflection during play. Under Watch’s design considers the ethical and safety concerns of both pervasive play and discomfort design. This work offers implications and poses challenges to those seeking to further explore artistic works and interventions within the space of uncomfortable pervasive games.
