Unsolved is an app that blends augmented reality (AR) and gamification to offer an enhanced storytelling adventure. Engaging in interactive gameplay, users dive into a captivating and mysterious journey.
Duration
January - April 2022
Role
Research, UI/UX Design, Visual Design, Prototyping
Tools
Adobe XD, Figma
Storytelling serves as a form of communication and a source of entertainment whether it be through literature, art or media. Books, TV shows, movies, and video games are common mediums for conveying stories effectively but how can we create a physically immersive narrative to bring these stories to life?
I want to explore how a user can interact with the medium to drive the plot forward, whether it be through scanning an area, or taking a photo. When combining both AR and gamification as a means to tell a story, as the audience, we essentially become a vital part of the narration.
By utilizing AR as a tool to communicate fascinating stories, we can create unique and memorable experiences. Unsolved is a narrative-driven mobile game inviting players to unravel the truth behind a mystery. The goal is to progress through the story by revealing hidden secrets in different locations while solving puzzle-like challenges.
View Prototype01
Onboarding
Set your location to filter out the stories that are made available within your area.
02
setting the scene
A brief description is provided for context. General location is provided before the start of the game, however specific areas are only visible as you progress through the story.
03
Immersive experiences
Clues are major pieces of the puzzle, it acts as digital objects that are placed in different real-life locations. They appear on screen through scanning, taking videos, and pictures.
04
Collaborative play
A group of friends can participate in the same game using separate mobiles. Progress is shared between individuals and is saved on all devices.
Drawing inspiration from escape rooms, I crafted this puzzle-based game with similar dynamics. Like many escape rooms I've experienced, a successful one blends challenging puzzles with an engaging storyline.
I discovered that people often describe excellent escape rooms as featuring simultaneous puzzles, a variety of puzzle types, enjoyable room transitions, and a cohesive theme that connects all clues together.
In the first draft, the gameplay was simple: listen to an episode, find the clue, and answer the question to progress the story. While effective, it became dull due to a lack of clue variety. I realized I needed to change the gameplay to keep it engaging.
Another thing I overlooked was collaboration. Initially, I thought that each story could only be played on one device, limiting group play. I addressed these issues in the next stage of development.
Taking into account the feedback I received, I integrated new features into the updated design, with a focus on collaboration and interactions.
During this phase, I developed a style guide comprising typography, colour palette, and iconography. I chose this theme because the dark colours complemented the mysterious atmosphere of the application.
I had a wonderful time bringing my concept to life in this project! I drew inspiration from the escape rooms I used to enjoy with friends before the pandemic because of it’s complex puzzles and compelling storylines. It was exciting to think about how I could bring that experience into the real world!
However, this project was quite challenging because of the gamification aspect and the integration of AR, both areas I have not yet explored. The most difficult aspect was integrating collaboration into the app. Teamwork is a big part in escape rooms, so incorporating cooperative gameplay was essential. However, I had to ensure it wasn't overly complex and remained user-friendly.