TerrARium

TerrARium is a pilot research project exploring the effectiveness of mixed reality as a tool for exposure therapy in helping high school and early college students overcome social anxiety. Inspired by games such as *Journey* and *It Takes Two*, we aim to make short co-op experiences, including simulated social situations, that inspire a sense of confidence in social activities while staying in a safe environment with the use of Quest Pro passthrough. The project is experimental in nature, and we are consulting with medical professionals with profound knowledge and experience to ensure we are appropriately interacting with mental health issues. Player data will be collected to analyze and research the effectiveness of the experience. Our research methods include playtesting, observation, questionnaires, interviews, and data analysis. At the end of the semester, we will publish an academic paper with the findings of our research.

Project Instructor: Ricardo Washington, Ralph Vituccio

Team Members: Varun Girdhar, Xiao Han, Ezra Hill, Marie Leung, Nolan Pearson