Virtual Booth

Many students struggle with original character creation, often resorting to imitating existing designs without understanding character identity or development. This project introduces From Zero to Identity, a gamified, first-person simulation developed using Unity and enhanced with animated storytelling to guide learners through a structured yet flexible character design process. Unlike traditional design tools, this simulation places users directly in the shoes of a character, allowing them to experience life-shaping moments and make decisions that dynamically shape personality traits such as resilience, empathy, and creativity. Through interactive drag-and-drop customization, narrative choices, and quick-time events (QTEs) simulating real-life struggles, students engage in meaningful storytelling and emotional immersion. The game forgoes rigid archetypes, instead encouraging organic character growth influenced by player decisions. By combining visual design tools with story-based interaction, the simulation bridges the gap between aesthetic design and narrative function. It is an essential integration in character development education. The first-person perspective acts as a key innovation, promoting deeper empathy and engagement by enabling players to experience character evolution from within. The project supports educational objectives in Prop and Character Design by fostering critical thinking, creativity, and experiential learning. Its minimalist aesthetic ensures focus remains on narrative depth and player-driven storytelling. Future development may expanded life simulations to further enrich character-building scenarios. Overall, this project offers an immersive, research-informed solution to teaching character creation in a more engaging and emotionally resonant way.

Keywords: Character Design, First-Person Simulation, Gamified Learning, Unity Game Engine, Interactive Storytelling