Yuxin Yan
MFA Digital Animation and Interactive Media, 2025

Project Description:
As technology evolves, game designers have increasingly explored new tools and devices to enhance player immersion and expand the possibilities of storytelling. Sensor-based interaction has emerged as one of the approaches. This thesis explores how physical interactions can influence game mechanics and narrative engagement. Rather than using traditional controllers, this study focuses on how players interact within a real-world space where changes in light intensity affect gameplay and story progression.

The research centers on Memory Weaver, an interactive game project that combines the physically simulated environment and the digital world. Players engage with light-based interactions to trigger narrative shifts, uncover hidden elements, and progress through story-driven puzzles. This project reviews the process of developing the game system, including its physical-digital integration and interaction design. The final deliverables consist of a playable game project, a custom-built sensor system, and a reflective analysis of player interaction and design iteration. This research is aiming to discuss about ongoing conversations on sensor-based game design, embodied interaction, and alternative storytelling methods in video game spaces.

Committee Members:
Kyoung Swearingen (advisor), Scott Swearingen, Yvette Shen

Keywords:
Interactive Storytelling, Sensor Application, Game Design, Animation