Week in Review: Iteration and Prototype Preparation
This week, our primary objective was to focus on iteration and preparation for the next round of playtesting. With the prototyping phase approaching quickly, our goal was to catch up on our timeline and ensure we were ready to begin prototyping without delay. This week was all about setting the groundwork for the next steps in the project—aligning the team’s efforts, securing resources, and making sure we were prepared for the upcoming stages.
One of the major challenges we faced this week was catching up on our timeline goals. The project is progressing rapidly, and in order to stay on track, it was crucial to start iterating as quickly as possible. Prototyping plays a key role in testing and refining our ideas, so we needed to ensure that everything was in place to move forward. This involved aligning with our programmers, finalizing design concepts, and ensuring both physical and digital resources were ready for use.
Despite these challenges, we made significant progress across multiple fronts. We began by meeting with each of our programmers for one-on-one iteration discussions. These meetings were instrumental in aligning our goals, defining technical requirements, and ensuring everyone was clear on the next steps. It also provided us with an opportunity to offer context and answer questions, helping the team move forward confidently.
While the week was filled with work, we also made time for team bonding. We had a great time at Sandbox VR and followed it up with a visit to the food court. These moments of relaxation not only gave us a much-needed break but also helped strengthen the camaraderie within the team—something that is just as crucial to the project’s success as the work itself.
In addition to team bonding, we spent time planning the next steps. With the playtesting round fast approaching, we outlined our immediate goals for the prototype, identified key focus areas, and discussed how to integrate the feedback we’ve received so far. Having a clear roadmap in place is vital for maintaining momentum and keeping everyone aligned.
A huge milestone this week was securing a dedicated room for prototyping. This space will allow us to test physical components, conduct playtests, and iterate on our design in a controlled environment. Having a dedicated space for prototyping is essential to the success of the next phase of development.
We also dedicated time to research the motors needed for our haptic devices. This research helped us identify the best options in terms of performance, size, and cost, giving us the foundation we need to integrate them into our prototype for more realistic tactile feedback.
Lastly, we officially began the iteration process with our programmers. The team has started refining the functionality of the components, testing different interactions, and adjusting elements based on initial feedback. Early iteration is crucial for uncovering potential issues and enhancing the overall user experience before diving further into the prototyping phase.
Looking ahead, next week will be focused on refining prototypes and preparing for the upcoming playtest. We will continue iterating based on feedback, test new ideas, and further explore the integration of haptic technology. With the strong collaboration and team bonding from this week, we are ready to move forward with a more focused and cohesive approach. We’re excited to continue on this journey, and we can’t wait to see where the next iteration takes us.