1/4’s feedback:
We successfully finished our 1/4 presentation and received a great deal of valuable feedback from the faculty. The discussion helped us think carefully about the purpose and target audience of our VR foot tracking project—whether it should function primarily as a fitness tool with gym integration, or as an exploratory, meditative VR journey accessible from home.
On the design side, discussions focused on balancing physical intensity and emotional engagement. Should the experience feel like a demanding uphill climb, or should it prioritize scenery, pacing, and moments of reward? Suggestions included integrating footsteps, breathing, and heart rate feedback, as well as visual motivators like cold breath in snowy environments.
Technically, we were encouraged to research locomotion and safety options, from stair machine integration to foot-tracking solutions and redirected walking. Looking at comparable games and testing Quest tracking limits will be important next steps. Faculty noted that while the vision is ambitious, one semester may be best suited for a prototype or LBE-focused demo, with the potential to expand in the future. Overall, the feedback was constructive and encouraging, giving us a clearer direction forward.
Designs:
This week, all three artists contributed to creating drafts for both posters and logos. Since the project’s theme and visual direction are still at early stage, we each explored different approaches.
For the logos, we experimented with multiple variations: some focused on letterforms and the team name “Ascent”, while others leaned toward more illustrative interpretations inspired by the feelings and meanings of the climbing experience itself.
For the posters, we also produced multiple drafts, with each of us taking a distinct visual direction. These ranged from designs highlighting scenic and meditative qualities to those that emphasized a more graphic, stylized look. Together, these explorations gave us a wide range of options and starting points as we continue to refine the project’s identity and tone.
Tech:
On the technical side, our team decided to move forward with Unreal Engine as our development platform, since several external technologies we hope to integrate are only supported in UE. We also reached out to Kat VR to explore possible support and collaboration opportunities.
