Treat Team: Tackling mental health through video gaming
Project Overview
Treat Team is a mobile game designed for 18-24-year-old college students and young professionals seeking a fun, engaging way to improve their self-discipline habits and manage responsibilities. The app gamifies productivity by allowing users to build and customize an in-game village based on the completion of real-world tasks and habit goals. By turning everyday responsibilities into rewarding challenges, Treat Team fosters positive behavior change while promoting mental health through mindfulness prompts and self-care activities. With features like habit tracking, progress visualization, and collaborative gameplay, Treat Team transforms productivity into a creative, immersive experience that encourages personal growth and balance.
Solution
My Role: Customer Discovery Specialist, User Researcher
Methods Used: Needs assessment, Affinity Mapping, Semi-Structured Empathy Interviews, Thematic Analysis, Surveys.
Tools used: Zoom, Miro, Dovetail, Figma, Notion
Our solution leverages the power of immersive storytelling and thoughtfully curated mental health content within a mobile video game. This unique combination creates an engaging, calming, and rewarding experience that helps users develop positive daily habits and better manage their emotions.
Key System Features:
Engaging design to foster consistent use: Captures users' attention and encourages daily interactions.
Immersive gameplay: Keeps users motivated and invested, making it a powerful tool for building habits and fostering personal growth.
Empowering mental health content: Provides practical guidance for navigating emotional challenges.
Curated lessons and resources: Offers valuable techniques to help users develop emotional awareness and resilience.
Community Development at the Forefront
Our solution places community development at its core, fostering a sense of belonging and collaboration among users. By prioritizing user engagement and addressing societal needs, we empower individuals to connect, share experiences, and support one another in their journey toward personal growth and mental well-being. This communal approach not only enhances user motivation but also creates a positive ripple effect, contributing to a more connected and empathetic digital community.
Animal Characters for Enhanced Engagement
The game features charming and relatable animal characters that bring the virtual world to life. These characters serve as guides, companions, and motivators, making the gameplay more immersive and enjoyable. By interacting with these playful creatures, users feel encouraged to complete tasks, build positive habits, and stay engaged in their self-growth journey. The whimsical nature of these characters adds a sense of fun and emotional connection, making the experience both meaningful and entertaining.
Multidisciplinary Collaboration for Mental Health
The game brings together collaborators from varied disciplines, each contributing unique expertise to prioritize mental health. This multidisciplinary approach ensures a well-rounded, thoughtful experience that combines elements of psychology, game design, and education to support users in developing healthy habits and emotional well-being.
Key points
Reflections
Working in a startup
Working in a dynamic startup environment has emphasized the importance of proactive planning and adaptability. It’s teaching me how to prepare for the unexpected and remain flexible with my approach, ensuring I can pivot when needed
Exploring a new field
Exploring the new field of game development has opened my eyes to the complexities and creative possibilities of this industry. It’s an exciting challenge to learn how to design interactive experiences that balance entertainment with purpose, while understanding the technical aspects and user needs that drive a successful game. This journey is broadening my skills and perspective, particularly in how to blend storytelling, design, and technology in a way that truly resonates with players.
Translating user insights to different stakeholders
I’m refining my ability to communicate user research effectively by translating findings into terms that resonate with multiple stakeholders. This involves creatively bridging the gap between user insights and the specific needs of each audience to drive informed decisions.