Reflection Focus

The emphasis for Week 7 lies not in gathering new material, but in revisiting my existing primary research to discern which experiences have genuinely translated into design decisions, and which remain merely sensory observations.

Reflecting on my solo trip to Vienna, I realised that the most significant aspect of my project is not the journey itself, but the manner in which I pause within environments.

Design Insight 1 – Stillness as Interaction

This reflection crystallised a crucial insight:
Stillness itself can constitute a valid interactive state within a game, rather than merely representing a void or waiting period.

Within the project, this implies players need not constantly input actions,
but can instead trigger memories, emotions, or environmental shifts through ‘pausing’.

This directly reshapes my understanding of the core game loop:
the player’s experience isn’t linear progression, but a natural cycle between movement and pause.

Design Insight 2 – Passive Entry Is Meaningful

I previously harboured reservations about whether ‘passive immersion’ might diminish player engagement.
However, this week’s reflections have strengthened my conviction that this mechanism is both valid and essential.

When players “passively enter” a state due to fatigue, curiosity, or shifting emotions,
they become more receptive to reflection rather than utilitarian goal-oriented thinking.

Therefore, I have decided to retain and enhance this pathway, rather than forcing all experiences to stem from active exploration.

Design Insight 3 – Ordinary Moments as Content

This week also reaffirmed the project’s core value:
The game’s essential content stems not from climactic events, but from ordinary moments.

This reinforces my commitment to preserving Ordinary Beauty within the design pillars,
while avoiding overly dramatic feedback that disrupts the player’s emotional flow.