Sandbox Controller
Experimental Game Controller - Creating Nonverbal Therapeutic Experience through Simple Interactions.
Controller View
Exhibition Space View
Game View
Category
Team
Duration
Tools
Game Controller, Experimental, Tangible Media, Peripheral Design
Individual Work
3 weeks (Fall 2023)
Arduino / Unity (C#)
Designed for my 3D immersive game
Inspired by sandbox therapy and patterns of sand traces in Japanese dry gardens, I redesigned the game controllers as rolling balls in a sandbox. It’s tailored for a single-player experience in a quiet environment in order to further enhance the nonverbal therapeutic experience in my game ‘Wind Will Tell’ (View project here↗),
Design Concept
Interaction Flow Chart
I selected rolling as the way to interact because:
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The action demands mindfulness and precision as users press the balls into the sand.
The action aligns with in-game movement as players walk through different planets.
To optimize responsiveness between Arduino & Unity…
I tested balls of different sizes, weights, and foam thicknesses, ultimately selecting the heaviest metal ball paired with thin foam. System responsiveness also depends on the sand volume in the plate.
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To send accurate key press data…
I adjusted sensor spacing and divided the plate into 12 segments (like a clock face), which are read and interpreted by Arduino as increments.
To enhance player movement in Unity…
I adjusted the code to extend input triggers, transforming a single electrical signal into a sustained key press lasting two seconds. This ensures smoother, continuous movement within the game.
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Testing / Prototyping
Design Challenges
Design Outcome
Structure Diagram
Final Display
