More Works

My City

Reimagining juvenile rehabilitation through interactive, game-based learning.

Gamification for Social Impact

Juvenile Rehabilitation

Interactive Storytelling

Experimental Research

Organization

Culture, Media, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality; LEDI Culture

Role

Lead Researcher & Designer

Team

1 Artist Consultant, 1 Gaming Industry Expert,

& 1 Designer

Duration

2 months

Design Question

Design Question

Design Question

How can we design an interactive urban learning experience that seamlessly integrates into public infrastructure, encouraging juvenile offenders to engage with their environment, rediscover their role in society, and foster a sense of belonging?

How can we design an interactive urban learning experience that seamlessly integrates into public infrastructure, encouraging juvenile offenders to engage with their environment, rediscover their role in society, and foster a sense of belonging?

Solution

Solution

Solution

My City is a narrative-driven educational game embedded in public spaces, where players navigate a gamified city map, interact with virtual mentors, and complete real-world challenges to foster social reintegration. Accessible through ATM-style booths and urban interfaces, it ensures privacy, engagement, and civic awareness.

My City is a narrative-driven educational game embedded in public spaces, where players navigate a gamified city map, interact with virtual mentors, and complete real-world challenges to foster social reintegration. Accessible through ATM-style booths and urban interfaces, it ensures privacy, engagement, and civic awareness.

Understanding Juvenile Delinquency

Slideshow

Project at a Glance

Swipe through to explore the research, design, and insights behind My City.

Social & Environmental Factors

Causes of Juvenile Delinquency

Juvenile delinquency is often influenced by peer dynamics, family instability, and limited access to education. Both subjective (rebellion, peer loyalty) and objective (social disconnection, economic hardship) factors contribute to criminal behavior.

Behavioral Patterns

Characteristics of Juvenile Delinquency

Juvenile offenses exhibit distinct patterns based on time, location, and offense type. Crimes often occur near entertainment venues, schools, and industrial areas, peaking during late afternoons and evenings when supervision is minimal.

Rehabilitation & Education Reform

Insights for Effective Juvenile Rehabilitation

Understanding where, when, and why juvenile offenses occur is key to designing effective rehabilitation strategies. Reform efforts should focus on structured, immersive learning experiences integrated into public spaces, fostering social reintegration and reducing recidivism.

Research-Informed Decision

A Data-Driven, Gamified Approach to Juvenile Education Reform

Using games as a rehabilitation medium resonates deeply with young individuals, offering an engaging and immersive way to learn life skills. Instead of traditional, often uninspiring lectures, this approach leverages interactive storytelling to naturally convey values, responsibilities, and personal growth. Through exploration, decision-making, and meaningful NPC interactions, players internalize lessons in a way that feels organic, heartwarming, and empowering—making rehabilitation both impactful and enjoyable.

System Design

Visual & Concept

Building an Interactive Learning Ecosystem for Juvenile Offenders

This game-based education system is designed to immerse players in real-world environments, fostering social responsibility and skill development through interactive storytelling.

Video Demo

Full Gameplay Walkthrough & System Overview

This video showcases the core mechanics, environments, and interactive learning experiences designed to engage, educate, and reintegrate juvenile offenders into society.


Players can freely explore the city while interacting with NPCs from diverse professions, gaining insights into different life roles, responsibilities, and opportunities for personal growth.

Reflections

# How did the research and game-based approach support the project’s goals?
# What challenges emerged, and how can they guide future improvements?

# How did the research and game-based approach support the project’s goals?

# What challenges emerged, and how can they guide future improvements?

# How did the research and game-based approach support the project’s goals?

# What challenges emerged, and how can they guide future improvements?

# How did the research and game-based approach support the project’s goals?

# What challenges emerged, and how can they guide future improvements?

→ On the Topic

→ On the Topic

This project explored how game-based education can aid juvenile rehabilitation by integrating learning into familiar urban spaces. Research revealed behavioral patterns in offense timing, location, and triggers, informing an interactive, location-based system. While the game encouraged community engagement and social responsibility, the diverse needs of offenders highlighted the necessity for personalized learning paths.

→ On the Project

→ On the Project

The multidisciplinary approach combined behavioral research, urban planning, and game design. Insights from educators, law enforcement, and gaming industry experts helped shape the system, but limited access to juvenile offenders made real-world testing a challenge. Additionally, integrating interactive education into public spaces raised logistical and ethical considerations, underscoring the need for collaboration with policymakers.

→ On My Role

→ On My Role

As the lead researcher and designer, I translated research into a context-driven game system, balancing user needs with real-world feasibility. This experience deepened my skills in UX, game mechanics, and public-space integration. While the prototype demonstrated early potential, future iterations should focus on long-term behavioral impact through real-world testing and stakeholder partnerships.

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