"Open Sesame" is a voice-activated virtual reality (VR) game designed specifically for kids who use wheelchairs. The game offers an immersive experience where players can explore various activities and environments through voice commands and wrist movements.
Initial Setup:
The game begins with the player seated in a virtual living room.
Players are initially seated in a chair but can simulate standing up with the voice command “stand,” allowing them to see their virtual body in a standing position.
They can then look around and navigate the room by moving their wrists.
Game Mechanics:
The virtual living room has seven doors, each leading to a different activity.
Players choose a door, approach it, and activate the virtual world behind it by saying “Open Sesame.”
Voice Commands and Activities:
Run a Race:
Commands: “Run, jump, run”
Players simulate running a race, jumping over hurdles, and continuing to run.
Dance with a Partner:
Commands: “Dance, dip, twirl”
Players can engage in a dance routine, including dancing with a partner, dipping, and twirling.
Play Basketball:
Commands: “Lay up, dribble, shoot”
Players can perform basketball actions such as layups, dribbling, and shooting hoops.
Hike in the Woods:
Commands: “Hike, take photo, jump tree”
Players can go on a virtual hike, take photos of wildlife, and jump over fallen trees.
Play Astronaut:
Commands: “Float, peek in a porthole, eat”
Players experience being in space, floating around, looking through portholes, and eating in zero gravity.
Swim in a Race:
Commands: “Dive, backstroke, front stroke”
Players can simulate diving into a pool and swimming various strokes in a race.
Surf a Wave:
Commands: “Paddle, stand, hang ten”
Players can paddle out to catch a wave, stand up on their surfboard, and perform surfing maneuvers.
Exiting the Game:
To exit any activity or return to the living room, players simply say “Stop.”
Implementation Details:
Technology:
VR Hardware: The game requires a VR headset and motion-tracking wristbands.
Voice Recognition: Advanced voice recognition software to accurately detect and respond to player commands.
Immersive Environments: High-quality graphics and sound design to create realistic and engaging environments for each activity.
Accessibility Features:
Customizable voice command sensitivity to accommodate different speech capabilities.
Adjustable movement settings for wrist controls to ensure comfort and ease of use.
Option to switch to simplified commands for players with limited speech.
Game Flow:
Introduction:
The game starts with a brief tutorial on using voice commands and wrist movements.
Players are introduced to the living room environment and the seven doors.
Choosing an Activity:
Players choose a door by approaching it and saying “Open Sesame.”
The chosen activity environment loads, and players are given a brief overview of the commands.
Engaging in the Activity:
Players use the specified voice commands and wrist movements to interact with the environment.
The game provides feedback and guidance to help players perform actions correctly.
Exiting the Activity:
Players can say “Stop” at any time to return to the living room.
They can choose another door or exit the game from the living room.
Conclusion: "Open Sesame" aims to provide a fun and empowering VR experience for kids in wheelchairs, offering them the ability to engage in various physical activities and adventures in a safe and accessible virtual environment.