Subject-Matter/Problem Background
Different beings (whether of the same or different species) experience events and express negative states (pain, anxiety, fear) in disparate ways. The negative effects of our choices on others may not always be readily apparent, or we may not be willing to modify our behavior to improve others’ lived experiences.

Summary of Approach
We built a prototype of a 2-player, 2-device (AR and VR) NYC horse-drawn carriage ride experience in which Player 1 (AR, scene controller) has more power and different experiences than Player 2 (VR, embodied horse). Player 1 can make playful and whimsical choices in the game that create distress and suffering for Player 2. This game uses embodied perspective-taking and parallel but divergent player experiences to encourage players to reflect on others’ experiences and build empathy for other beings.

XR Platform
Tilt 5 and Vive XR Elite

Project Presentation
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1_YaIHYEYbfHvgd8pXfx6tGzSjIZD4t1MH1a9t-S6yNo/edit#slide=id.g25963af9e0f_0_3

References
Maxwell Foxman, David M. Markowitz, and Donna Z. Davis. "Defining empathy: Interconnected discourses of virtual reality’s prosocial impact." New Media & Society 23.8 (2021): 2167-2188.

Fernanda Herrera, Jeremy Bailenson, Erika Weisz, Elise Ogle, and Jamil Zaki. 2018. Building long-term empathy: A large-scale comparison of traditional and virtual reality perspective-taking. PloS One, Vol. 13, 10 (2018), e0204494. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0204494

Cherry Hill. How to Think like a Horse : The Essential Handbook for Understanding Why Horses Do What They Do. North Adams, Ma, Storey Pub, 2006.

Janet L. Jones. Horse Brain, Human Brain : The Neuroscience of Horsemanship. North Pomfret, Vermont, Trafalgar Square Books, 2020.

Geoff F Kaufman and Lisa K Libby. 2012. Changing Beliefs and Behavior Through Experience-Taking. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol. 103, 1 (2012), 1. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0027525

“The Cruelty of Horse-Drawn Carriages.” PETA, 29 Sept. 2022, www.peta.org/issues/animals-in-entertainment/horse-drawn-carriages/

Full Credits for all Team Members and Contributors
Scott Tongue - UE Programmer
Ezra Hill - Gameplay Programmer
Marie Leung - Artist
Emily Xie - Level Designer
Lorena Mueller - 2D Artist
Erica Principe Cruz - Designer
Anna Kasunic - Producer
ALL - Design