Project Post: Divided Attention

Finally, a somewhat informative post on my final project, Divided Attention.

Divided Attention is a visual game designed to be projected in an auditorium or theater. Everyone in the theater may participate, and no special actions are required other than the occasional raising of one’s hand. Participants do not need to leave their seats. The game is presented as a slideshow or minimally animated video and lasts from 10 to 15 minutes.

The game is about how we invisibly divide ourselves into groups, and how at any given time we belong to overlapping and intersecting subgroups that concurrently make us allied with and opposed to each other.

The game consists of the following:

• Locations: Start Place, Areas, Outposts, End Place
• Events: Randomization, Journeys, Decision Events, Polls, Reconnection
• Other Elements: Boundaries, Paths, Media (images, movies)

The game proceeds as follows:

1. Start: all players together
2. Randomizing: setup stage in which players are divided into subgroups
3. Events/Journeys/Polls: mechanisms to divide and join players, and to determine positions of other players
4. End Scenario/Final Poll: end of game, winning group determined
5. Reconnecting: players visually reunited
6. End: all players together

At the start of the game, the group is divided somewhat randomly into subgroups. The object of the game is to connect and disconnect with others, to form groups and ultimately to belong to the largest group. All of the game’s events are led by the visual presentation.

Throughout the game, players must keep track of their location on the screen. Possible locations, called areas (for large groups) and outposts (for small groups and individuals), are defined by boundaries that cannot be crossed. Events take place within areas that require players to make decisions affecting their location. Some decisions will results in journeys to other areas and outposts. Polls allow players to get a sense of where other players are on the screen.

After the final poll, the game is over. Players are reunited visually and end up in a common space as they were at the beginning of the game.

Questions/Problems

Are members of an audience likely to participate in this game?

Will this game sustain the interest of players for 10 minutes? Will players adopt the lusory attitude required to sustain the game for its duration?

Will players be honest? Will they not cross boundaries?

During decision events, should players vote for themselves or to try to win the game?

How can the game be designed such that the same presentation can be played multiple times?

Is the win scenario satisfying enough? Is a win condition necessary at all?

Is there enough interactivity? Any?

Only the polls provide players any feedback. Is that enough?