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Thesis
You are Under Watch: designing an uncomfortable pervasive game for critical reflection and player equity
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Sep 2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00011151
Abstract
Discomfort in digital design has recently emerged as an open space for exploration, challenging notions that play and digital experience should strive towards pure "fun" or frictionless interaction. Pervasive games, which blend gameplay into players' regular lives, offer an apt means of exploring discomfort by situating play activities within the real world. Uncomfortable pervasive games are uniquely positioned to prompt critical reflection in players by integrating discomfort from gameplay with real-world concerns encountered during everyday life. This thesis details the design process and pilot study results of Under Watch, a pervasive mobile game experience aimed at investigating the relationship between uncomfortable interactions and moments of critical reflection during play. Under Watch's design considers the ethical and safety concerns of both pervasive play and discomfort design. This work offers implications and poses challenges to those seeking to further explore artistic works and interventions within the space of uncomfortable pervasive games.
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Details
- Title
- You are Under Watch
- Creators
- Vivian Tian
- Contributors
- Frank J. Lee (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- vii, 53 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Digital Media; Drexel University; Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design
- Other Identifier
- 991022085555904721