Superzeroes is a mobile game that helps its players create new social connections by providing them with opportunities to meet new people, make new friends, and collaborate with them in a massively multiplayer experience set in the real world.

The Challenge

Contribute a new body of knowledge to the field of interaction design by creating a marketable product or service.

The Story

Superzeroes takes places in the midst of the global economic collapse, where a world once protected by its superheroes has become corrupt with evil-doers of all kinds running wild. In these tough times, most superheroes have called it quits to seek simpler lives. With towns all over the world panicking, a new pantheon of heroes must step forward to conquer evil…

And so the game begins with a “mixed bag” band of misfits volunteering themselves to the cause. These nobodies have absolutely no superpowers to speak of, yet they genuinely believe they can develop them through experience fighting crime. In this time of need, the townships of the world have no choice but to trust the protection of their homes and citizens to these incredibly ordinary… Superzeroes.

Comparing gameplay parameters

Some initial concept sketches

A concept map of core game components

How it Works

As a location-based mobile game, players are required to go places in order to advance their character’s strength and the game’s plot. Public spaces become game locations that players must journey to as part of missions that are assigned to them. Completing missions in the game, whether solo or on a team, will allow players to “level up” and tackle more difficult forthcoming missions.

Armed with their mobile phone as the game’s interface, map, communications device, and GPS, players will re-discover the fun of adventuring in their own city, meeting new people in the process. When playing Superzeroes, players will see the line between reality and fiction blur into one.

Finding the sweet spot for my prototype

Prototyping social gameplay

The game's system map

Why it Matters

In a time when many of us are so fixated on just getting stuff done, Superzeroes aims to help players re-establish an emotional connection with their cities. Players are encouraged to explore the streets, parks, and the various institutions and shops that surround us. And in doing so, the true goal of Superzeroes comes to light as players will encounter other players who are playing the game.

Using the game as a platform, and continuously encouraging collaboration and teamwork, Superzeroes can help break down the barriers of social ambiguity, making it easier and actually fun to meet new friends you wouldn’t otherwise have met. Superzeroes helps its players create new social connections that extend beyond what’s being offered to us behind our screens.