👾Case Study: AR FPS Game — Anti-Covid

Anti-Covid is an Augmented Reality (AR) game that allows players to combat virtual viruses through their mobile devices, offering a therapeutic and engaging way to address pandemic frustrations.

Project Overview:

Anti-Covid was conceived as a response to the enduring impact of the Covid-19 virus. With its prolonged presence, people worldwide were growing weary and uncertain about the future. To provide an outlet for these feelings, I developed a first-person shooter (FPS) Augmented Reality (AR) game that allows players to see and combat the virus through their mobile devices. This interactive experience enables users to channel their frustrations by virtually destroying the virus, offering a form of catharsis and engagement.

Exhibition Context:

Anti-Covid was featured in two exhibitions in 2022:

1. There Here — Multimedia Arts Senior Exhibition 2022: An exhibition showcasing the culmination of multimedia arts projects by senior students, highlighting innovative uses of technology and creative expression.
2. Young Contemporaries — 38th Annual Juried Student Exhibition 2022: An annual exhibition that celebrates the best student artwork, selected by a panel of jurors for its creativity, technical skill, and conceptual depth.

People were captivated by the game and eagerly played it. They appreciated its interactivity and how it blended gaming with a reflection on the impact of COVID-19 around us. Here are some reviews from attendees during the exhibitions:

Review 1:

“I was blown away by the Anti-Covid game at the exhibition. The AR integration was seamless, and it felt incredibly satisfying to destroy those virtual viruses. The graphics were top-notch, and the sound effects added an extra layer of immersion. It was a fantastic way to channel my pandemic frustrations into something fun and engaging. Highly recommend trying it out!”

Review 2:

“I loved playing Anti-Covid! The idea of turning the pandemic into a game was both creative and therapeutic. The AR technology worked flawlessly, and the different levels kept the game interesting. The design and sound effects were excellent, making the whole experience very immersive. It’s a must-try for anyone interested in innovative uses of AR.”

Review 3:

“Anti-Covid was a fun and unique experience. As someone who’s been feeling pandemic fatigue, this game provided a much-needed distraction. Kudos to the developer for creating such an engaging game!”

Concept and Gameplay:

The game is simple yet engaging:

• Users open the game on their mobile devices.
• They hunt for virtual viruses in their physical surroundings.
• Once a virus is spotted, users tap on it to destroy it before time runs out.

I designed three levels, each representing one of the major viruses from the pandemic:

• Level 1: Covid — Eliminate 3 viruses in under 15 seconds.
• Level 2: Delta — Eliminate 6 viruses in under 15 seconds.
• Level 3: Omicron — Eliminate 10 viruses in under 15 seconds.

Development Process:

Design and Prototyping:

• 3D Virus Design: Created using Cinema 4D, ensuring a realistic and identifiable representation of the virus.
• UI Design: Developed using Figma for UI info cards and branding to ensure cohesiveness throughout the project.

Development:

• AR Integration: Utilized Spark AR to program the placement and interactions of the 3D virus within the AR environment.
• Sound Design: Incorporated and adjusted sound effects using Audacity to enhance the immersive experience.

I wrote an article about how to create an AR FPS Game for Instagram?

Technical Challenges:

• Optimizing 3D Models: Ensuring the 3D virus models were detailed yet optimized for performance on mobile devices was challenging. Balancing visual fidelity with performance required iterative testing and refinement.
• AR Interaction Precision: Developing precise and responsive interactions in Spark AR was critical. Ensuring that the virus could be accurately detected and interacted with in various lighting conditions and environments took significant effort.

User Experience Challenges:

• Engagement and Immersion: Creating a compelling and immersive experience that maintained user interest over multiple levels was crucial. Incorporating sound effects and feedback mechanisms helped in achieving a higher level of engagement.
• Accessibility: Ensuring the game was accessible to a wide audience, including those with limited technical proficiency, required a focus on intuitive UI/UX design.

Learnings:

• Cross-Platform Development: Developing for AR across different mobile devices highlighted the importance of cross-platform compatibility and performance optimization.
• Iterative Design Process: The project underscored the value of iterative design and user testing. Feedback from early testers was invaluable in refining gameplay mechanics and improving the overall user experience.
• Emotional Impact: Understanding the emotional context and impact of the game was essential. Creating a meaningful experience that resonated with users’ feelings about the pandemic added depth to the project.

I created three levels based on the three major viruses that occurred during the pandemic.

Conclusion:

Anti-Covid successfully merged technology and emotional expression, providing a unique outlet for users to engage with and combat their frustrations with the pandemic. The game not only showcased the potential of AR in creating immersive experiences but also highlighted the importance of thoughtful design and user engagement in multimedia art projects. Being featured in two significant exhibitions validated the project’s impact and relevance, marking it as a noteworthy contribution to the field of multimedia arts.

Setup of Anti-Covid for an Exhibition