Bini Park
Role
Unity developer/scene designer
Team
Christine Chang, Yushi Wang, Sophia Xu
Time
3 days
Skills
Unity, Blender, Figma
Problem!
People often feel overwhelmed by emotions but lack a safe, non-disruptive way to release them and feel a sense of relief.
Answer!
Wave Goodbye transforms the simple act of throwing into a powerful emotional release. By screaming into a virtual bottle and casting it into the ocean or sky, users physically let go of their stress.
About
In this shared virtual space, connections can be made by discovering messages left behind or breaking bottles for other, offering support, or simply reflecting on the collective release of emotions. For those who value privacy, thoughts can remain entirely personal, symbolically transforming into stars in the sky. Wave Goodbye is about creating a sense of peace, fostering connection, and embracing the freedom to let go.
Element
This experience is centered around two simple elements: expressing emotions through speaking and seeing them transformed into 3D forms.
Emotions can then be shared in two ways—through a sea bottle, inviting connection, or a star bottle, keeping them private while turning them into a shining star in the sky.
Speak: Players share their concerns in their personal space by speaking and recording their voice.
3D Model: The recorded voice is transcribed into text, converted into a 3D model, and placed inside a chosen bottle.
Sea Bottle: These 3D models are stored in "Sea Bottles" and sent into the ocean. Other players on the same server can pick up a bottle to reply to your message or break the bottle for you.
Star Bottle: Your message can also rise to the sky as a "Star," staying there to protect your privacy.
Goal
Can virtual reality become a deeply personal and secure space for anonymous users?
VR apps like VR Chat have already shown how VR can create amazing shared spaces for connection and conversation. But what if we flipped the concept? We explore how virtual reality can become a deeply personal and secure space for anonymous users, enabling them to share secrets and process emotions in creative ways, like breaking a virtual bottle to symbolize letting go.
How Built
Wave Goodbye is built with Unity (version 2021.3.22f1) with HP Reverb G2 headset
Auto Speak-to-Text Integration
We implemented a system that automatically converts the user’s spoken words into text, which is then used to create the personalized message inside the bottle.
Throwing Behavior
We designed and refined the throwing mechanics in VR to ensure the act of casting a virtual bottle feels natural and satisfying, enhancing the symbolic release of emotions.
Interactive Environment
The virtual environment was crafted to mimic the serene and expansive ocean and sky, reinforcing the theme of emotional release and renewal.
Design
Theme: Vacation & Island
