I wasn't going to take my Phylux out until he was a month old, but since Vodun is caught in the dark forest (the beta world), I decided to let Lux roam a bit.

We found the most delightful deer!



"Just a couple o' bridge statues..."

Remember that survey some of you took a few months ago? Well, that was to create a user profile to help me develop a diorama game for my Human Factors Methods class. We had to design a product based on user feedback. We had to do a user profile, task analysis, a prototype, user testing, and write a final report.

What you see here is a prototype of a diorama flash game that I made in PowerPoint with a macro that allows one to drag and drop items. It is a screenshot of only one of the biomes of the Nature Diorama game. Right now, it includes the Forest, Desert, and Savanna biomes with animals and plants to manipulate. The buttons on the bottom "glow" when you're at the diorama biome.

In case you're curious, human factors is a domain that blends principles of cognitive psychology and engineering and applies these principles to design with early and frequent focus on the users' needs. More information can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_factors. I am currently working on my Master's in Human Factors and Ergonomics/Applied Cognitive Psychology.

I am thinking of doing another iteration of this design and doing more user testing. After that, I might put it on the Internet and invite user feedback.

Here is a screenshot of one of the diorama screens. The shapes were done using a mouse and photoshop. Keep in mind that this is a prototype:


http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu128/Redkora/eco1.jpg

Also, if you are interested, I can send you the final report. It's pretty big, as it is 75 pages long. I got a 99 on it, so I'm pretty pleased with the results.

Since I haven't seen a post like this yet, I though I'd make one. (If there is one, let me know and I'll delete this~) If you feel comfortable doing so, list yourself as one of the players doing the beta!

The new world can get really lonely, can't it? Vodun is getting to be a very bitter little fawn, trying to brave the darkness by himself.

Tobbie sat in the fine straight grass, it was time." I am scared, lossaki! " She told her mate." Don't be, it will be over soon. " he replied to her. She rested her head down on the grass.
She was worn out. The two fawns lay there, one black, one white. " I will name you lilyanna. " She spoke softley to the baby girl. Lossikal nodded and looked at the baby boy. " I will name you yarn. " He said to the baby. It was over, and the fawns were very healthy. Tobbie and lossaki succeded.

[

Speak only when spoken to
Forgive always, greet always

Bow and always show respect

And kindness will be passed to you
And give it freely little ones

Try and leap, over the hills

Your legs, strong they will grow
And when you are great and mighty

Come back and tell me your story

inspired by a previous blog

Ask me anything and I promise to be honest

I think I'm lost


These surroundings are not familiar

The sun has set


And the light

Will disappear in a few minutes


Yet my heart doesn't pound

I'm calm as could be

Mayby this is how it's supposed to be

Chained to some unknown enemy

Lost in the sea for eternity

CUT

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