Layoff Evaders

Are you a software engineer scared of unemployment and layoffs? What you really should be scared of is your sedentary lifestyle.

tldr; Layoff Evaders is a VR fitness game where players embody a software engineer fleeing from your evil boss, exercising IRL to move in-game.

What do software engineers fear the most? Unemployment. But what they should really be scared of are the physical health risks associated with sitting for prolonged periods of time.

What it does

Layoff Evaders is a VR fitness game where players embody a software engineer fleeing from your evil boss. Dodge office obstacles and navigate through standup meetings, annual budget cuts, and performance reviews, all while performing real-life exercises like squats, lunges, and jumps. A connected dashboard tracks and displays stats like calories burned, jumps completed, and time spent active, empowering users to monitor their health.

How we built it

We used Unity for game development and integrated motion tracking with VR controllers to detect physical exercises in real-time. For stat tracking, we created a backend using Firebase Realtime Database to store user data, while a sleek dashboard was developed with React for viewing progress and achievements. Each gameplay element was designed to align real-world movements with engaging VR mechanics.

Challenges we ran into

• Mapping VR motion tracking accurately to in-game movements.
• Designing exercises that are fun yet accessible to players of all fitness levels.
• Creating humorous and relatable obstacles that resonate with tech workers.
• Balancing gameplay difficulty to keep it both challenging and entertaining.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

• Successfully gamifying fitness in a way that resonates with a specific audience.
• Creating a polished VR experience with accurate motion detection.
• Designing an interactive dashboard that motivates users to stay active.
• Infusing humor into a health-focused project, making it approachable and memorable.

What we learned

• The importance of accessibility and inclusivity when designing fitness solutions.
• The technical intricacies of integrating VR motion tracking with meaningful gameplay mechanics.

What's next for Layoff Evaders

• Implementing leetcode quick-time events
• Adding different stages and obstacles to further engage the player
• Monthly health reporting to encourage healthy habits
• Integrating wearables for deeper health insights, such as heart rate and step tracking.
• Partnering with tech companies to promote workplace wellness through the game.