Trial of testudo
Developer | Immersive Media Design Final
Team Members: Leyla Park, Caroline Cooper, Christina Kwon, Steven Su
Trial of Testudo is an immersive VR game that turns stress regulation into play. Using EEG technology and Unity VR, players cross a swaying rope bridge suspended over a canyon. Their brainwaves directly control the game’s difficulty: the more fear detected, the more unstable the bridge becomes. Players must stay calm to survive.
Problem
Stress regulation training is often dry and unengaging. Our challenge was to design an experience that made managing fear feel fun and memorable, especially for students under high pressure.
Solution
We designed an EEG-powered VR game where emotional state impacts gameplay. Some features include:
Fear signals increase bridge sway, forcing players to regulate stress.
Timed obstacles test focus under pressure.
Provides real-time feedback, helping players adjust their breathing and focus.
My Role
Implemented VR functionality and added controller interaction capabilities.
Created and implemented challenges syncing real-time brainwave data with in-game difficulty.
Helped run trial sessions and tuned difficulty curves for balance.
Process
Concept Development
Brainstormed game mechanics tied to stress/focus.
Prototyping in Unity
Built bridge physics and EEG signal input.
3D Modeling & Art
Collaborated with teammates on canyon environment and assets.
Playtesting
Collected feedback from peers to refine pacing, UI, and difficulty.
Impact
Delivered a fully playable VR demo that merged neuroscience and gaming.
Demoed to peers and faculty, generating strong engagement and discussion.
Strengthened my skills in Unity development, EEG integration, and cross-disciplinary teamwork.
Reflection
Trial of Testudo showed me how technology, design, and psychology intersect to create meaningful experiences. It reinforced my ability to work across disciplines and translate abstract concepts like stress and fear into interactive systems.
