Purdue Sports Futures - Metaverse
Purdue Sports Futures - Metaverse
Purdue Sports Futures - Metaverse
Process
Process
Observations
Secondary Research
Final Presentation to Stakeholders
Observations
Secondary Research
Final Presentation to Stakeholders
My Role
My Role
UX Designer
UX Designer
Timeline
Timeline
1 Month (Dec 2023)
1 Month (Dec 2023)
Tools Used
Tools Used
Observation
Unity
Google Docs
Sketching
Observation
Unity
Google Docs
Sketching
Project Goal:
Project Goal:
Project Goal:
The Metaverse Engine developer Iconic Engine partnered with Purdue to develop a Purdue Sports experience in the Metaverse. A group of ten graduate students including myself were split into two teams- one focused on the basketball experience and my team, focused on the football experience. As the UX consultant in my group, I was tasked with researching and developing the user's experience in the Purdue Football Metaverse. More about the project can be read here.
The Metaverse Engine developer Iconic Engine partnered with Purdue to develop a Purdue Sports experience in the Metaverse. A group of ten graduate students including myself were split into two teams- one focused on the basketball experience and my team, focused on the football experience. As the UX consultant in my group, I was tasked with researching and developing the user's experience in the Purdue Football Metaverse. More about the project can be read here.
Final Prototype
Final Prototype
Final Prototype
After creating different elements in VR using Unity, we created a demonstration video that we presented to IconicEngine, highlighting the different mini-games, live-game viewing options, and Purdue assets.
After creating different elements in VR using Unity, we created a demonstration video that we presented to IconicEngine, highlighting the different mini-games, live-game viewing options, and Purdue assets.
After creating different elements in VR using Unity, we created a demonstration video that we presented to IconicEngine, highlighting the different mini-games, live-game viewing options, and Purdue assets.
Exploring the Boilermaker Football Experience: Observations
Exploring the Boilermaker Football Experience: Observations
Exploring the Boilermaker Football Experience: Observations
When first purposed the idea of creating a Purdue football experience in the Metaverse, my first thought was that it would be very difficult to replicate the experience of being among a crowd of energetic sports fans in a large stadium. How would we recreate that feeling? In short, with current VR capabilities, you can't replicate it 100%. Instead, we can implement core components of that experience and "translate" that into VR. I first examined the different components of the football fan experience via observation; I attended a Purdue football game at Ross-Ade Stadium.
When first purposed the idea of creating a Purdue football experience in the Metaverse, my first thought was that it would be very difficult to replicate the experience of being among a crowd of energetic sports fans in a large stadium. How would we recreate that feeling? In short, with current VR capabilities, you can't replicate it 100%. Instead, we can implement core components of that experience and "translate" that into VR. I first examined the different components of the football fan experience via observation; I attended a Purdue football game at Ross-Ade Stadium.
During my observation, I noted what makes the in-person experience unique. Some activities I observed include:
During my observation, I noted what makes the in-person experience unique. Some activities I observed include:
Chants and Dances/Actions
Chants and Dances/Actions
Chants and Dances/Actions
Popular Songs, including the Purdue fight song "Hail, Purdue!"
Popular Songs, including the Purdue fight song "Hail, Purdue!"
Popular Songs, including the Purdue fight song "Hail, Purdue!"
Interactions between fans
Interactions between fans
Interactions between fans
Visual/sound effects: Stadium lighting, "jumbotron" visuals, train horns, smoke machines
Visual/sound effects: Stadium lighting, "jumbotron" visuals, train horns, smoke machines
Visual/sound effects: Stadium lighting, "jumbotron" visuals, train horns, smoke machines
Creating the VR Experience
Creating the VR Experience
Creating the VR Experience
After collecting my observation data, I relayed this info to my team to begin brainstorming and creating the different activities within the Metaverse. VR affords certain interactions otherwise not possible in real life. To capitalize on the VR functionality, we wanted to take the observations and build upon them, creating new experiences that are reminiscent of the "original" ones.
After collecting my observation data, I relayed this info to my team to begin brainstorming and creating the different activities within the Metaverse. VR affords certain interactions otherwise not possible in real life. To capitalize on the VR functionality, we wanted to take the observations and build upon them, creating new experiences that are reminiscent of the "original" ones.
After collecting my observation data, I relayed this info to my team to begin brainstorming and creating the different activities within the Metaverse. VR affords certain interactions otherwise not possible in real life. To capitalize on the VR functionality, we wanted to take the observations and build upon them, creating new experiences that are reminiscent of the "original" ones.
Recreating the Stadium
Recreating the Stadium
The first thing we needed to create was the football stadium itself: Ross-Ade Stadium. Fortunately, Iconic Engine had given us many of its assets within an SDK, including a "stadium" asset that we could build upon to make more like Ross-Ade. The signature Purdue colors and imagery were added to the stadium.
The first thing we needed to create was the football stadium itself: Ross-Ade Stadium. Fortunately, Iconic Engine had given us many of its assets within an SDK, including a "stadium" asset that we could build upon to make more like Ross-Ade. The signature Purdue colors and imagery were added to the stadium.
The first thing we needed to create was the football stadium itself: Ross-Ade Stadium. Fortunately, Iconic Engine had given us many of its assets within an SDK, including a "stadium" asset that we could build upon to make more like Ross-Ade. The signature Purdue colors and imagery were added to the stadium.
Utilizing VR: Adding Mini-games
Simply creating a stadium in VR alone would not do the football experience justice. Instead, we sought to add to it in the forms of mini-games, utilizing the affordabilites of VR. These mini-games are meant to be played while watching the game, or during "slower" times of the game, such as media-breaks and time-outs.
Simply creating a stadium in VR alone would not do the football experience justice. Instead, we sought to add to it in the forms of mini-games, utilizing the affordabilites of VR. These mini-games are meant to be played while watching the game, or during "slower" times of the game, such as media-breaks and time-outs.
Simply creating a stadium in VR alone would not do the football experience justice. Instead, we sought to add to it in the forms of mini-games, utilizing the affordabilites of VR. These mini-games are meant to be played while watching the game, or during "slower" times of the game, such as media-breaks and time-outs.
From this idea, we created several mini-games that are related to the Purdue football experience. One of these mini-games is a Purdue "Trivia" game, where the user locates an object that corresponds to the correct answer. A second mini-game we created is a simple Football toss game, where the user's goal is to throw a football within some floating rings.
From this idea, we created several mini-games that are related to the Purdue football experience. One of these mini-games is a Purdue "Trivia" game, where the user locates an object that corresponds to the correct answer. A second mini-game we created is a simple Football toss game, where the user's goal is to throw a football within some floating rings.
From this idea, we created several mini-games that are related to the Purdue football experience. One of these mini-games is a Purdue "Trivia" game, where the user locates an object that corresponds to the correct answer. A second mini-game we created is a simple Football toss game, where the user's goal is to throw a football within some floating rings.
Opportunities for Interaction: Emotes
An important experience we wanted to carry over into VR is the chant/dance concept. To achieve these, we thought of creating different "emotes" that guide the user on how to perform certain movements. Not only does this incorporate the chant/dances observed, but it also creates more opportunities for user interactions. These emotes can be seen in the final prototype video above (timestamp: 2:19).
An important experience we wanted to carry over into VR is the chant/dance concept. To achieve these, we thought of creating different "emotes" that guide the user on how to perform certain movements. Not only does this incorporate the chant/dances observed, but it also creates more opportunities for user interactions. These emotes can be seen in the final prototype video above (timestamp: 2:19).
An important experience we wanted to carry over into VR is the chant/dance concept. To achieve these, we thought of creating different "emotes" that guide the user on how to perform certain movements. Not only does this incorporate the chant/dances observed, but it also creates more opportunities for user interactions. These emotes can be seen in the final prototype video above (timestamp: 2:19).
Suggested Additions
Suggested Additions
Suggested Additions
Over the course of this month-long project, we were able to use Iconic Engine's assets to create an Purdue Sports experience in VR using Unity. With more time and work, additional features could be added to supplement our designs. Some suggested additions are:
Over the course of this month-long project, we were able to use Iconic Engine's assets to create an Purdue Sports experience in VR using Unity. With more time and work, additional features could be added to supplement our designs. Some suggested additions are:
Over the course of this month-long project, we were able to use Iconic Engine's assets to create an Purdue Sports experience in VR using Unity. With more time and work, additional features could be added to supplement our designs. Some suggested additions are:
Avatar customization: allowing users to purchase/equip Purdue gear
Avatar customization: allowing users to purchase/equip Purdue gear
Avatar customization: allowing users to purchase/equip Purdue gear
Multiplayer minigames: allow users to play games cooperatively and competitively
Multiplayer minigames: allow users to play games cooperatively and competitively
Multiplayer minigames: allow users to play games cooperatively and competitively
Social lounges: to encourage users to have a more social experience, create lounges that allow users to add friends and watch the game together.
Social lounges: to encourage users to have a more social experience, create lounges that allow users to add friends and watch the game together.
Social lounges: to encourage users to have a more social experience, create lounges that allow users to add friends and watch the game together.
"Jumbotron" live stream: along with live streaming the football game, there could also be a live feed of the Jumbotron at the game, so that users also experience the same visual/sound effects as in-person viewers.
"Jumbotron" live stream: along with live streaming the football game, there could also be a live feed of the Jumbotron at the game, so that users also experience the same visual/sound effects as in-person viewers.
"Jumbotron" live stream: along with live streaming the football game, there could also be a live feed of the Jumbotron at the game, so that users also experience the same visual/sound effects as in-person viewers.
Our designs are just the tip of the iceberg- there are many different experiences that VR and the Metaverse afford that will only increase and improve with time. While Purdue sports are currently limited to in-person viewing or live broadcasts, the future could permit users worldwide to have the Purdue sports experience.
Our designs are just the tip of the iceberg- there are many different experiences that VR and the Metaverse afford that will only increase and improve with time. While Purdue sports are currently limited to in-person viewing or live broadcasts, the future could permit users worldwide to have the Purdue sports experience.
Our designs are just the tip of the iceberg- there are many different experiences that VR and the Metaverse afford that will only increase and improve with time. While Purdue sports are currently limited to in-person viewing or live broadcasts, the future could permit users worldwide to have the Purdue sports experience.
Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
This was one of my first UX projects working with developers, rather than other UX designers. So, it was imperative that I was able to communicate my findings to the developers, while also brainstorming with them so that they can also input their design ideas while adhering to their development capabilities. We had many ideation meetings where I discussed the key elements to include and we built around those. Having these sessions with these developers (and fellow Purdue students) allowed us to combine our ideas and create a unique experience for our stakeholders.
If I knew then what I know now, one additional method I would have included is interviews. I would have liked to interview various students across years (freshman, sophomore, graduates, etc.) and perhaps even some alumni to ask them what are the most important or fun parts to watching a Purdue football game in person. Having this additional qualitative data could have sparked even more ideas for features to include in our prototype.
This was one of my first UX projects working with developers, rather than other UX designers. So, it was imperative that I was able to communicate my findings to the developers, while also brainstorming with them so that they can also input their design ideas while adhering to their development capabilities. We had many ideation meetings where I discussed the key elements to include and we built around those. Having these sessions with these developers (and fellow Purdue students) allowed us to combine our ideas and create a unique experience for our stakeholders.
If I knew then what I know now, one additional method I would have included is interviews. I would have liked to interview various students across years (freshman, sophomore, graduates, etc.) and perhaps even some alumni to ask them what are the most important or fun parts to watching a Purdue football game in person. Having this additional qualitative data could have sparked even more ideas for features to include in our prototype.
This was one of my first UX projects working with developers, rather than other UX designers. So, it was imperative that I was able to communicate my findings to the developers, while also brainstorming with them so that they can also input their design ideas while adhering to their development capabilities. We had many ideation meetings where I discussed the key elements to include and we built around those. Having these sessions with these developers (and fellow Purdue students) allowed us to combine our ideas and create a unique experience for our stakeholders.
If I knew then what I know now, one additional method I would have included is interviews. I would have liked to interview various students across years (freshman, sophomore, graduates, etc.) and perhaps even some alumni to ask them what are the most important or fun parts to watching a Purdue football game in person. Having this additional qualitative data could have sparked even more ideas for features to include in our prototype.
