Ames' syllabi

Simulation games

• No before you go driving simulator – This would be a driving simulator for people who have driving anxiety and it could help them practice routes that they may need to drive so that they are already familiar with the roads and the surroundings and any interesting traffic situations. The game would not include any crashes or really any consequences because I want the driving experience to be presented in a way where it is not this scary terrifying thing where you feel like you’re going to die. I think there also could be a mode where you can practice certain situations and other things. For instance, one situation could be what do you do when you get pulled over by a cop or what do you do if there is an ambulance coming or your windows fog up. For a little more context, I have experienced driving anxiety and I often study and try to memorize my routes before I even take them on Google Maps and Streetview. This would help people like myself and even first time drivers. To gear the game even more towards anxiety, I think the game could include tips to help reduce anxiety while driving, especially because judgment can become impaired at a certain point. 
• City Girl Simulator – This game would simulate what it’s like to be in a city alone as a woman, including the catcalling and dangerous situations that a lot of women unfortunately experience. This would be mostly for men to emphasize with women. 
• Get a Job – A simulation about the process of trying to get hired as a minority (especially relevant now)
• Overstimulation Simulator. simulating what its like to be overstimulated in different situations to show people what its like who don’t really experience that feeling as much as other people. 
• Food allergen simulator. people would try to live like they have specific food allergies and dietary restrictions to see what other people go through, especially those who have celiac disease and may need to worry about food cross contamination. This could be something that is playtested irl. 

Other game ideas 

• Garden Sabotage from last semester but it’s with a native plants and flowers and invasive bugs to teach people about the importance of biodiversity and maintaining a good native plant garden and why invasive bugs are bad 
• State park conservation game this is similar to my National Park game idea but It would focus on more local parts even though those aren’t going through a lot of stuff right now with laws but it would teach people the importance of maintaining them and what they’re good for and it would get people to know about some of the different outdoor spaces that are in Pennsylvania and in particularly the side of the state and I think it would be effective because it would present some more local effects as even national effects can feel really distant from people
• Turning my mural into a game of hide experience where people can learn about the stuff that I’ve studied with myspace and a can show the benefits of trees it can show how art can be a powerful tool for social change and really just get people to experience my work on another level instead of seeing and reading about it
• Game about managing your emotions and daily tasks. You can only manage so much and do so many things so you have to make difficult sacrifices like do you do your homework or do you go to someone’s funeral it’s the really difficult decisions whenever you have a busy life and you are a college student and you have a lot going on
• A 2 player or 2 team game about one side being the government the tries to surprise the general public’s protests and revolts and tries to stop it from reaching mainstream media and the general public just wants their causes to be heard they want to be seen and they want change to be made so it’s just a battle between these 2 opposing forces
• we all make mistakes – party game where you share something you’re ashamed of, embarrassed about and regret. leads to an open discussion that its okay to make mistakes. 

1. Elderly Simulator: a VR simulation experience to build empathy for the experience of the elderly. Movements and actions would be altered to resemble the reality of their situation.
2. Civil Engineering Simulator: build bridges, roads, and other constructions and see the simulated effects on the environment and community. Experiment and alter traffic signs to better regulate traffic flow.
3. Detective Investigation Simulator: see the clues, solve the crime. the game simulates the experience of investigators. Investigate the crime scene, interrogate witnesses, and do outside research to solve the crimes.
4. History Time Travel Game: travel through history in VR and experience that time period. Perhaps players could be sent to a time period and observe happenings to answer trivia questions.
5. Hurricane Relief Simulator: See the immediate effects of a hurricane on both the social wellbeing and physical state of the community. Help initiate recovery and rebuild the communities with proactive measures to prevent further destruction.

1. VR Life improvement game, In this game, users will be able to go through a series of books that touch on various topics that some may not have the chance to learn, such as changing a car tire, tying a tie, and basic first aid, as well as how to make (various foods) This VR gives the idea of “hands on” without needing to rely on the help and coaching of others. The books allow users to choose from various tasks based on their personal goals, and then the “game” begins by putting users in a virtual setting where they will begin. Think of it as Duolingo, and Cooking Mama, but you don’t deal with a pesky bird, and no mom will be disappointed in you for messing up!

• Plant Meditation, This VR game essentially allows the player to become a plant in simulation. They get to choose what plant they are, what color pot they are in, and a general location in the world, as well as the time of day and season. This game uses sensors to track heart rate and breathing and will give players the ability to unwind and meditate. The goal of the simulation is to have calm breathing, thoughts, and be still, once users match this state, their plant will slowly grow, begin to flower, and thrive.

• To be with Fauna, This VR game allows players to experience forests and nature through the eyes of various animals. There is no solid goal in this game other than to walk around, see the sights and observe different animals and plants. Players can also switch between animals to get unique views, like going from a black bear to a hawk.

• Depression Nap, this game creates a simulation of what it can be like living with extreme depression. The player starts the game by waking up in a dimly lit room that is almost completely trashed. Throughout the game, players will slowly get achievements by cleaning the room, reaching out to friends, and generally trying to get life for the character back in order.

• A walk-through life, this is a collaborative game where various people will essentially record a day in their life and allow users to experience a different life, culture, and situation through the eyes of others. Think of this as a playable “A Day in the life” video. There can also be a feature where multiple choices are made so players have a more choice based experience depending on what interests them.