Concept
With a desire to create a product that will help people facilitate positive lifestyle behaviours in daily life, I began to research the causes of lifestyle-related chronic conditions with a focus on obesity.
While direct causes of obesity are not clear, I've discovered that our habits are developed by the age of 12.
Based on this crucial insight as well as interviews with the target age group and a consultation with a nutritional specialist, I have designed a game app, aimed at children from 8-10 years old. The solution tackles the issue early on by teaching children about a balanced diet and nutrition.
It also encourages physical exercise through outdoor AR games and game mechanics that reflect real changes to our physical performance depending on the kind of food we consume.
Design
Power Food aims to make healthy and nutritious food appear attractive and bad food, unappetising.
Instead of coins, players have to collect 'good food' to earn points that add up to a daily, balanced nutrition score. To get the right balance, players have to be strategic about the type of food they collect with an aim to not exceed or go below the correct daily amount.
The collectable power-ups in the game are 'superfoods'. Using these power-ups is represented in the game with the same performance changes that can occur in real life with a good diet, such as speed and agility.
'Bad food' has to be avoided. Collecting this type of food will affect the player's performance through changes such as not being able to perform larger jumps and getting slower at running.
Good food collectables
Superfood power-ups
Bad food traps
Unlockable characters
Gameplay
The game constitutes of several mini-games which explore various processes within the body such as digestion and blood circulation in an easy to understand and fun way.
Multi-level mini game which explores the digestive system.
Multi-player AR game through which children get a chance to learn about the circulatory system and how what we consume affects the health of our blood.
The ultimate challenge of the game - boss battle.
Replay value is created through Multi-level design, challenges, rewards, and the ability to unlock different characters while progressing in the game.
Social competition is incorporated by using a social board, where viewers can see each other’s scores and brag about achievements.
Design process
Initial ideas for game design and gameplay:
Visual style development and initial ideas for mini games:
UI development - wireframes:
Concept visualisations for mini games:
Logo design development and inspiration:
Boss battle concept visualisation:
