People often obsess over objects they have lost and search for them physically for hours or days. The goal of this game is to simulate that search process through gameplay to help the user realize they should move on from the lost object in an implicit, playful way rather than directly trying to alleviate their sadness. The game would have the user search for and select a lost object, then guide them through a maze game trying to reach that object within 3 lives while facing obstacles, prompting them to get more lives or start a new game once they lose all lives to subtly encourage moving on from the object.

1. In search of a lost object
Shankar Balasubramanian
EXPERIENCE DESIGN AND ANALYSIS - 4

2. Context / Scenario The Goal
•Sadness over losing an
object.
•People think about it for a
long time.
•They keep searching for
it physically at least for a
few hours/days.
•Simulate the operation of
searching the object
through a game.
•Not to alleviate sadness
but to make the user
realise that they should
move on.
•Must be done in an
implicit way to keep it all
playful.
What we’re aiming for

3. Current scenario
People often think about the object
they’ve lost and obsess over it for days.

4. Designing an experience for
sadness in this case
People often keep searching for a lost object for hours or days only to
give up and realise that it was a waste of time. It’s not a wrong thing to do
at all. The aim here is to simulate the above situation through a game and
bring some delight to the user.

5. The game
The user is first presented with a
search screen to search and select an
object they have lost or desire to
possess. Once the object is selected,
the game creates that as a goal for the
user.

6. The game
For example, the book which the user
has selected is now the ultimate goal /
mission in this game.

7. The game
The game is about the user running
through a maze with various obstacles
on the way. They’ll be provided with 3
lives to successfully complete their
mission of reaching the object.
(Details about the obstacles or game
play are beyond the scope of this
document.)

8. The game
In this screen, the user is out of virtual
lives and is prompted to get more lives
through an in-app purchase. They
could come back and resume their
game in a few hours, or could move on
and start a new game.
Overall, the game tries to balance
between - persuading the user to keep
looking for their lost/desired object
and motivating them to forget it by
moving on. It’s up to the user to give
up or continue playing.

9. Thank you