Ziying (Milk) Fan
LinkReal
How might we bring the game experience into online communication services?
The starting point of this project is my own experience, as a casual gamer, who had been looing to study more deeply in my favourite subject area. With the curiosity of what in games can bring happiness to players and if it can be applied to other areas to solve problems, I started my journey. Afterward, I discovered that socializing elements are highly preferable in games, and the existing online social services lack entertaining elements. “So, is it possible to combine them in a diverting way?” This idea became “LinkReal”, a service that is a hybrid of a game and online social platform. Controlled by users’ actions, the figures are users’ digital projections in the virtual world. It fulfills the need for socializing in a fun but “real” way. Users can enjoy it in both the digital and physical world, and their normal actions will be captured and transformed into the digital world, which allows other users to know what they are doing and obtain the feeling of being together.
Insight
The gaming or entertaining industry is one that grows at an incredible speed. Through my study of the business, I discovered that there are a lot of different “wishes” that players want to achieve through games, not only limited to “being thrilled or entertained”. Socializing elements stand out within Generation Z, who see the game as a socializing tool. However, the existing mainstream social platforms and games cannot fulfill some needs; for example, the social platforms are not entertaining enough. I decided to learn more about socializing elements within games and the existing social platforms in order to see where design could provide more value.
Idea
LinkReal is a service that is a hybrid of a game and online social platform. Controlled by users’ actions, the figures are users’ digital projections in the virtual world. Although we are separated by distance, users can still see each other in a different way. LinkReal blurs the border of real and unreal and is there to provide an immersive and fun experience to everyone. Users can enjoy both worlds and have the feeling of staying together even if they are in different spaces.
Impact
LinkReal aims to provide a seamless transformation between the physical and digital worlds. Users can continue with what they are doing and do not need to stop their previous actions. This project will provide a new possibility for users to interact with their faraway friends and family, and can apply to different businesses to activate a new era of interactions.
Biography
Ziying (aka. Milk) is a UX and product designer based in Toronto. She mainly focuses on designing game and toy-related products, regardless of whether they are digital or physical. She gained happiness through games and toys and wanted to share these feelings with others through her design. Driven by this dream, along with her understanding of design, the design process, and other related knowledge, Milk is ready to create products and experiences that will bring a positive impact to users. “Let’s enjoy life and bring fun to others!”