{"id":234,"date":"2026-01-23T16:39:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T16:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/re-create\/?p=234"},"modified":"2026-02-11T17:25:25","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T17:25:25","slug":"week-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/re-create\/week-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Week 2"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>This week, we shifted from defining emotional goals to exploring more concrete interaction ideas. After clarifying what kind of feelings we want to create, we began asking what alumni and guests will actually experience inside the space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-x-large-font-size\">Gameplay Exploration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We brainstormed several interactive activities that could support conversation and shared creativity during the reunion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some early ideas included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Improv-based social prompts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A juggling interaction, possibly rhythm-inspired<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A playful shooting interaction<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Drawing-based activities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The drawing direction felt especially aligned with an alumni gathering. We discussed variations such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A 30-second portrait drawing challenge<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An ETC-themed draw-and-guess activity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Co-drawing, where alumni collaborate on one shared canvas<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-x-large-font-size\">Core Spaces and Functions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond mini games, we identified several essential spaces that would structure the reunion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A lobby as an entry and orientation point<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A photo booth for shared memories<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A gallery space to showcase projects and workspaces<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A message board for connections<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-x-large-font-size\">Visual Identity and Concept Development<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This week, we also created early Rec Room graphic sketches and began drafting the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1Tc6SYQAI0sg9snsR_3SOsB9z-8jybY8REHefo0l9Lw4\/edit?usp=sharing\">RECreate Identity Document<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2472\" height=\"1370\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/re-create\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-237\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/re-create\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image.png 2472w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/re-create\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-300x166.png 300w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/re-create\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1024x568.png 1024w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/re-create\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-768x426.png 768w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/re-create\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1536x851.png 1536w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/re-create\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-2048x1135.png 2048w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/re-create\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-600x333.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2472px) 100vw, 2472px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2208\" height=\"1276\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/re-create\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-240\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/re-create\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-3.png 2208w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/re-create\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-3-300x173.png 300w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/re-create\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-3-1024x592.png 1024w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/re-create\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-3-768x444.png 768w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/re-create\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-3-1536x888.png 1536w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/re-create\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-3-2048x1184.png 2048w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/re-create\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-3-600x347.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2208px) 100vw, 2208px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-x-large-font-size\">Team Progress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>On the production side, we began narrowing down which environments are essential and what level of scope is manageable. We discussed what basic systems would be needed for the mini games to function smoothly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Technically, we started exploring the Rec Room pipeline and tools to better understand how rooms and interactions are structured. However, we have not started building rooms yet. This week was primarily focused on planning and preparation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We also decided to create a survey for alumni. Since this experience is for them, gathering feedback early will help ensure the space reflects real interests and expectations instead of just our assumptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-x-large-font-size\">Challenges<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The main challenge this week was prioritization. We generated many ideas, but we need to focus on the interactions that best support meaningful alumni connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We are also continuing to balance creativity with platform constraints. Understanding Rec Room\u2019s capabilities more deeply will help guide our next steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-x-large-font-size\">Plan for Next Week<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Decide on the set of environments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Define the basic functional structure for selected mini games<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Continue exploring the Rec Room building pipeline<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prepare and distribute the alumni survey<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2026-01-23T16:39:00+00:00\">January 23, 2026<\/time><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This week, we shifted from defining emotional goals to exploring more concrete interaction ideas. After clarifying what kind of feelings we want to create, we began asking what alumni and guests will actually experience inside the space. Gameplay Exploration We brainstormed several interactive activities that could support conversation and shared creativity during the reunion. Some [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-234","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/re-create\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/234","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/re-create\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/re-create\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/re-create\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/re-create\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=234"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/re-create\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/234\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":244,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/re-create\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/234\/revisions\/244"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/re-create\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=234"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/re-create\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=234"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/re-create\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=234"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}