Original Sketch and Design

The original sketch model for Pandora's Box is shown here to the right. The box is covered with symbols, patterns, and Greek letters which initally just serve to visually overwhelm the players with detail. The box is mounted in the center of the room on a table, making it obvious that the players should be drawn towards it. When the players touch the handle to open the box, a microcontroller is triggered to actuate the mechatronics to make it seem like "evil" has been unleashed: the lid pops open suddenly, smoke pours out of the box, air is blown in the direction of the players, and screams emit from speakers in the box.

Ultimately, the clues for the room are hidden in the text on the box. The large Greek letters parallel the shapes of the instruments in the room, and the strings of characters separated by musical notes indicate the corresponding pattern to play on that instrument. The players have to play the correct notes all together, and then they are able to close the box and complete the room.

The Sketch Model

A sketch model of the box was constructed to help understand if implmenting the box more in line with 5 Wits's design philosphy would create the desired emotional effect and sense of foreboding. The smoke effect was removed from the box, as this would create a maintenence requirement of refilling the smoke liquid, and the box opening mechanism was reduced to only 10 millimeters; this both reduced the possibility of catching fingers in the box as it closed and also the possibility of being injured from the box lid violently flinging open.

The sketch model was constructed of foam core and painted gold to resemble a jewelry box. Since this model was mainly to understand how the functionality of the gag would work in the room, the intricate design of characters and symbols was left off. The mechatronics of the box features 4 main subsystems. On the front of the box, a capacitive touch sensor looks like a clasp, but activates the system when touched. A solenoid pops the lid open by about half an inch, and a fan starts blowing inside the box to simulate "spirits" leaving the box. Simultaneously, a speaker inside the box play a tune that will bring some people nostalgia of another adventure they might have played, although this would be sampled from more horrific sounds in a final design

Learnings

Ultimately, the box was tested to see if the design, lacking some of the original features envisaged in the concept sketch, could instill the same excitement as was originally intended. The box was tested with a few users to understand the emotional reaction to all the actuation and feedback of the design.

Alas, while all the sensory feedback was found to be interesting, it didn't quite achieve the grand effect which would make the experience truly engaging and memorable. The removal of smoke certainly detracted from the ominous atmosphere, and the short actuation distance of the solenoid (used for safety and practicality reasons) doesn't create the effect that spirits are rushing from the box, but rather just spilling out. In order to achieve the desired result, pneumatics or a strong electromagnet would need to be used, and it would likely create more design complexity than 5 Wits desires. Additionally, without the smoke, the fan really needs to be significantly stronger to actually be felt (instead of just being strong enought to blow smoke out of the box).

With the addition of smoke and more sophisticated mechatronics, this sketch model does help illustrate that Pandora's Box is potentially worth further investigation, but the feedback of 5 Wits will inform the direction.