Klimagotchi
Hi!
We have finished module 2 and the final exam for the semester. The last months have been different and challenging. At the start of module 2 the pandemic hit us, and Norway, as well as most other countries, was in lockdown. All of our communication and work the last three months has been purely digital. Although it has been challenging working like this, we have all made an effort to make it work. Thanks to record-long group chats and a lot of video conferences we managed to keep up the progression and momentum we’ve had throughout the semester.
We were all looking forward to module 2 and the prospect of playing with VR, AR, Hololens & 360 cameras, and we were probably not the only group that felt a little sad that we did not get to do that.
But, a meaningful, practical and at the same time strange semester is over, and as summer is creeping upon us, we will try to reflect on the last couple of weeks and months.
Overall, our concept Klimagotchi turned out really good, and we are very proud of the prototype we developed and the written specification for it. We are especially satisfied with the angle of the concept itself. We tried to do something new and original and we feel that by providing a positive solution that calls directly for action, that it sticks out from more traditional climate communication.
The inspiration for our concept stems from the 90s phenomenon Tamagotchi, but figures a virtual planet earth that you are taking care of through real life challenges instead. Your personal globe is also a character that speaks to you directly and both globes are affected by positive or negative behaviour towards the challenges. They will be rewarded, if completed, with a better climate as well as points that also are in-game currency. Your points will place you up or down the high score list but can also be used as climate quotas to escape difficult challenges if you are not up for it. The challenges will be anything from taking your bike instead of your car to work, to making sure you’re using less electricity than the previous month.
MIX202 has been an interesting journey throughout. From the evaluation of “globusrommet” in module 1, which gave us valuable insights. To the creation of Klimagotchi, from idea to high fidelity prototype in module 2. It has been challenging at times, but most of all it has been a rewarding process, which has taught us a lot.
We want to give our thanks to our wonderful teachers and professors who have helped and given us valuable feedback along the way; Lars Nyre, Zulfikar Fahmy, Andrew Opel, Fredrik Jensen, Oda Elise Nordberg og Jonathan Lindø Meling.
If you want to take a closer look at what we have been up to, we have some good news! The evaluation report from module 1, the specification and prototype of Klimagotchi will be published at www.vismedia.org (Lenker til eit ekstern område.) this summer (June, 2020). Hopefully in english as well as Norwegian.
That’s all folks!