A movement based project that enables the viewer to observe a digital biome through interaction with the in-game camera.
Project Video
Abstract
The convergence of physical interaction and digital feedback mechanisms in video games offers a unique user experience, enhancing player immersion and responsiveness. Biome Scroller, developed using Unity and Micro:bit, serves as a pioneering exploration into this hybrid interface. Originally conceived as a traditional platformer video game inspired by titles such as Celeste and Hollow Knight, the project evolved into an interactive biome, a mini-ecosystem that exists independently of player interaction yet responds to it. This project presents a wall-mounted screen capable of horizontal movement, which players push to interact with the digital world displayed. Unlike conventional touch-based interactions seen in devices like trackpads and tablets, Biome Scroller introduces a kinetic approach to digital engagement. Here, players affect the digital environment—represented as a static in-game world or biome—through moving the screen, and subsequently, the digital camera. This setup not only demonstrates real-time feedback but also blurs the boundaries between the digital and physical realms, offering a tangible, kinetic method of interaction that emphasizes immediate physical feedback within the digital narrative. The iterative design process of the project highlights the transformative journey from a simple video game concept to a system that integrates digital and physical interfaces. By pushing the limits of how players interact with game environments, Biome Scroller aims to redefine user interaction paradigms in gaming, providing a foundation for future innovations in integrated user interface design. The project exemplifies how blending digital and physical elements can create a more immersive and responsive gaming experience, paving the way for new types of interactive environments.
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