So for the next year I will be working on a research project building a VR game that works as an educational tool for understanding Opioid Addiction.
We are still at a a brainstorming stage but we want it to be an experience that teaches teens how to identify people with opioid addiction, form empathic bonds with digital characters that struggle with the illness, as well as detailing the course of treatment and maintenance.
During our brainstorming session we decided we want the game to have light RPG elements where the players engage in decision making and face the consequences of their actions (Much like Telltale/Quantic dream). We also want each chapter in the game to end with a reflection that the participants can discuss.
One of our main ideas is to detail a story of a family (mother, father, daughter, son) dealing with opioid addiction with the son. We were thinking of maybe different chapters focusing on the perspective of different characters that the player has to fill in for. (Much like That Dragon, Cancer).
We are still in a state of flux so none of this might actually make it into the final cut but I really want to be open to all the possibilities, which is Why I’ve come here.
I’d Really like your help, if you know of any good research using VR as an educational tool for mental illness especially Addiction or any article really. Any advice or suggestion is welcome.