WildVerse is more than a concept, it’s a movement
And it’s only getting louder
The Reality Behind the Wild
India’s endangered species are disappearing faster than ever, despite decades of conservation laws.
Hidden Global Trade 🌍 International markets drive exploitation, with many species not even protected under CITES.
Human-Caused Extinction 📉 Species vanish 1,000–10,000 times faster than natural rates due to deforestation, pollution, and illegal trade.
Rising Threats 🐅 Habitat destruction, poaching, and human interference accelerate the decline of critically endangered wildlife.
Tech for Empathy 🕶️ AR and VR create powerful, non-invasive experiences that raise awareness without disturbing habitats.
Going back to how it started…
Let's rationalise some of the design decision together!
Why Young Adults?
We decided to focus on Gen Z, i.e. young adults, for this project because they are a generation that blends digital fluency with a strong sense of social responsibility. They are deeply engaged with global issues, quick to adopt new technologies like AR and VR, and driven by values that align with sustainable living. Their influence on cultural trends, purchasing power, and activism gives them the ability to drive awareness and inspire action on endangered wildlife protection at an unprecedented scale.
Sneak Peek of WildVerse: The Mumbai Chapter 🌿✨
Wait Let’s Rewind A Bit ⏪
AND IT'S A WRAP
WildVerse is more than a concept, it’s a movement
And it’s only getting louder
Framing the Challenge
Why Young Adults?
We decided to focus on Gen Z, i.e. young adults, for this project because they are a generation that blends digital fluency with a strong sense of social responsibility. They are deeply engaged with global issues, quick to adopt new technologies like AR and VR, and driven by values that align with sustainable living. Their influence on cultural trends, purchasing power, and activism gives them the ability to drive awareness and inspire action on endangered wildlife protection at an unprecedented scale.
Going back to how it started…
Let's rationalise some of the design decision together!
The Reality Behind the Wild
India’s endangered species are disappearing faster than ever, despite decades of conservation laws.
Hidden Global Trade 🌍 International markets drive exploitation, with many species not even protected under CITES.
Human-Caused Extinction 📉 Species vanish 1,000–10,000 times faster than natural rates due to deforestation, pollution, and illegal trade.
Rising Threats 🐅 Habitat destruction, poaching, and human interference accelerate the decline of critically endangered wildlife.
Tech for Empathy 🕶️ AR and VR create powerful, non-invasive experiences that raise awareness without disturbing habitats.
Solution in Action 🚀
🌱 Lack of Engaging Education
Conservation efforts rely on static, traditional methods; younger audiences crave interactive, digital-first experiences that spark lasting curiosity.
🦉 Overlooked Urban Wildlife
Conservation stories focus on rural landscapes, ignoring Mumbai’s own endangered species hidden in mangroves, parks, and coastlines.
🤝 Minimal Public Involvement
Led mostly by experts and NGOs, with few entry points for citizens to take small, impactful actions in their daily lives.
📉 Short-Lived Social Media Impact
Campaigns trend briefly online but lose momentum without sustained, on-the-ground engagement strategies.
🌱 Lack of Engaging Education
Conservation efforts rely on static, traditional methods; younger audiences crave interactive, digital-first experiences that spark lasting curiosity.
🦉 Overlooked Urban Wildlife
Conservation stories focus on rural landscapes, ignoring Mumbai’s own endangered species hidden in mangroves, parks, and coastlines.
🤝 Minimal Public Involvement
Led mostly by experts and NGOs, with few entry points for citizens to take small, impactful actions in their daily lives.
📉 Short-Lived Social Media Impact
Campaigns trend briefly online but lose momentum without sustained, on-the-ground engagement strategies.
My Role
User researcher, Game strategist, Campaign strategist, System designer, Game experience analyst, Narrative designer, Tech-Driven creative lead, Video editor
Solution in Action 🚀
Key Gaps
Key Gaps
🦉 Overlooked Urban Wildlife
Conservation stories focus on rural landscapes, ignoring Mumbai’s own endangered species hidden in mangroves, parks, and coastlines.
🌱 Lack of Engaging Education
Conservation efforts rely on static, traditional methods; younger audiences crave interactive, digital-first experiences that spark lasting curiosity.
🤝 Minimal Public Involvement
Led mostly by experts and NGOs, with few entry points for citizens to take small, impactful actions in their daily lives.
📉 Short-Lived Social Media Impact
Campaigns trend briefly online but lose momentum without sustained, on-the-ground engagement strategies.
Wait Let’s Rewind A Bit ⏪
Defining the problem
India’s wildlife faces quiet, relentless threats - habitats shrinking, seas filling with plastic, species slipping closer to extinction. For many, these struggles exist only in headlines, documentaries, or occasional campaigns that fade as quickly as they appear.
But what if I told you that even Mumbai, a city better known for its skyline than its forests, is home to endangered species fighting for survival? From hidden mangroves to the edges of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, rare and irreplaceable life is disappearing in our own backyard, often unnoticed.
What’s missing is not just awareness, but a way to keep that awareness alive. A connected, engaging space where curiosity turns into understanding, understanding into action, and action into a movement that makes protecting the wild as natural as living in it.
Defining the problem
India’s wildlife faces quiet, relentless threats - habitats shrinking, seas filling with plastic, species slipping closer to extinction. For many, these struggles exist only in headlines, documentaries, or occasional campaigns that fade as quickly as they appear.
But what if I told you that even Mumbai, a city better known for its skyline than its forests, is home to endangered species fighting for survival? From hidden mangroves to the edges of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, rare and irreplaceable life is disappearing in our own backyard, often unnoticed.
What’s missing is not just awareness, but a way to keep that awareness alive. A connected, engaging space where curiosity turns into understanding, understanding into action, and action into a movement that makes protecting the wild as natural as living in it.
It began with an Olive Ridley hatchling, trapped in plastic, struggling for the ocean.
A moment of sympathy. A quick swipe. And it’s gone.
But saving wildlife demands more than a passing glance.
What if protecting turtles was as fun as scrolling?
What if conservation wasn’t just seen - but felt, lived, and impossible to ignore?
It began with an Olive Ridley hatchling, trapped in plastic, struggling for the ocean.
A moment of sympathy. A quick swipe. And it’s gone.
But saving wildlife demands more than a passing glance.
What if protecting turtles was as fun as scrolling?
What if conservation wasn’t just seen - but felt, lived, and impossible to ignore?
Before we tackle the challenge, hit play - I promise the editing is better than my cooking.
Before we tackle the challenge, hit play - I promise the editing is better than my cooking.
Meet the Users, up close
Meet the Users, up close
Designing for Action
We explored multiple concepts, but ultimately chose to create diverse touchpoints aimed at engaging Gen Z and running bold marketing campaigns to spark the next movement. While our initial goal was to design a VR game, we quickly realized that awareness could not thrive on gameplay alone - strong marketing was essential to amplify the cause.
Designing for Action
We explored multiple concepts, but ultimately chose to create diverse touchpoints aimed at engaging Gen Z and running bold marketing campaigns to spark the next movement. While our initial goal was to design a VR game, we quickly realized that awareness could not thrive on gameplay alone - strong marketing was essential to amplify the cause.
Hence Introducing WildVerse
Hence Introducing WildVerse
Before I spill the solution…
Why not scan the QR and find out for yourself? I’m curious - what’s your spirit animal?
Before I spill the solution…
Why not try the filter and find out for yourself? I’m curious - what’s your spirit animal?
Team
Vrushti Mehta (hey, that's me!)
Vidhi Shah
Sarah Anil
Palak Jhaveri
Tridib Saha
My Role
User researcher, Game strategist, Campaign strategist, System designer, Game experience analyst, Narrative designer, Tech-Driven creative lead, Video editor
Framing the Challenge
Why VR for our final solution?
VR lets users step into endangered ecosystems, experience wildlife struggles firsthand, and form a powerful emotional bond. Through interactive, mission-based gameplay, it transforms learning into action and bridges the gap between virtual adventures and real-world conservation impact.
Why VR for our final solution?
VR lets users step into endangered ecosystems, experience wildlife struggles firsthand, and form a powerful emotional bond. Through interactive, mission-based gameplay, it transforms learning into action and bridges the gap between virtual adventures and real-world conservation impact.
Logic behind the game
Set in a dystopian Mumbai of 2095, the gameplay loop blends narrative-driven rescue quests, NPC-guided strategy from Mayor Aira, and collectible power-ups that enhance player abilities. Core mechanics center on saving endangered species and restoring habitats, with each mission completion triggering visible world-building changes through environmental asset restoration and species repopulation. This progression system, reinforced by reward feedback loops, fosters player agency, emotional investment, and mastery over the game’s eco-restoration challenges.
Logic behind the game
Set in a dystopian Mumbai of 2095, the gameplay loop blends narrative-driven rescue quests, NPC-guided strategy from Mayor Aira, and collectible power-ups that enhance player abilities. Core mechanics center on saving endangered species and restoring habitats, with each mission completion triggering visible world-building changes through environmental asset restoration and species repopulation. This progression system, reinforced by reward feedback loops, fosters player agency, emotional investment, and mastery over the game’s eco-restoration challenges.
UI Design
We designed the VR world’s UI using spatial interfaces that feel native to the 3D environment, ensuring elements are intuitive and immersive rather than flat overlays. Interactive cues, dynamic scaling, and diegetic menus were incorporated to keep the player engaged without breaking presence.
UI Design
We designed the VR world’s UI using spatial interfaces that feel native to the 3D environment, ensuring elements are intuitive and immersive rather than flat overlays. Interactive cues, dynamic scaling, and diegetic menus were incorporated to keep the player engaged without breaking presence.
Blurring the Lines Between Game and Reality
As part of our project, we built an entire world around WildVerse - launching an Instagram page , designing a website , and creating eye-catching posters for our AR campaign. We even reached out to environmentalists and nature enthusiasts . It felt so real that people actually came up to us asking, “Wait… are you guys the co-founders of WildVerse?” 👀
Blurring the Lines Between Game and Reality
As part of our project, we built an entire world around WildVerse - launching an Instagram page , designing a website , and creating eye-catching posters for our AR campaign. We even reached out to environmentalists and nature enthusiasts . It felt so real that people actually came up to us asking, “Wait… are you guys the co-founders of WildVerse?” 👀
Now Let’s Talk Business
We have mapped out WildVerse: The Mumbai Chapter using the Business Model Canvas framework, covering every key aspect from partners and resources to revenue and costs. With defined partners like local NGOs, tech collaborators, and government bodies, plus clear value propositions for Gen Z, NGOs, sponsors, and the city, we are set to reach audiences through both digital and physical channels. Our activities span AR/VR development, community engagement, and data analysis, backed by sustainable revenue streams like in-app purchases, sponsorships, exhibitions, and merchandise.
In short, we have not just envisioned this experience - we have developed a full execution plan to launch it as a viable, impactful business. 🚀
Now Let’s Talk Business
We have mapped out WildVerse: The Mumbai Chapter using the Business Model Canvas framework, covering every key aspect from partners and resources to revenue and costs. With defined partners like local NGOs, tech collaborators, and government bodies, plus clear value propositions for Gen Z, NGOs, sponsors, and the city, we are set to reach audiences through both digital and physical channels. Our activities span AR/VR development, community engagement, and data analysis, backed by sustainable revenue streams like in-app purchases, sponsorships, exhibitions, and merchandise.
In short, we have not just envisioned this experience - we have developed a full execution plan to launch it as a viable, impactful business. 🚀
AND IT'S A WRAP
Sneak Peek of WildVerse: The Mumbai Chapter 🌿✨
I have a feeling you’ve already discovered your spirit animal!
You’re probably wondering why we went for AR instead of a regular quiz (yes, I read minds sometimes).
AR makes wildlife awareness exciting, personal, and instantly shareable by letting you transform into an animal. It grabs attention, builds real connections, and turns learning into something fun that people can’t wait to pass on.
How the Magic Happens
We used ZapWorks to craft an AR filter that mapped your face in real time using the MIT face tracking API. As you answered the quiz, your score determined which spirit animal you’d become - instantly transforming your face into a custom mask that you could see, snap, and share.
Team
Vrushti Mehta (hey, that's me!)
Vidhi Shah
Sarah Anil
Palak Jhaveri
Tridib Saha
I have a feeling you’ve already discovered your spirit animal!
You’re probably wondering why we went for AR instead of a regular quiz (yes, I read minds sometimes).
AR makes wildlife awareness exciting, personal, and instantly shareable by letting you transform into an animal. It grabs attention, builds real connections, and turns learning into something fun that people can’t wait to pass on.
How the Magic Happens
We used ZapWorks to craft an AR filter that mapped your face in real time using the MIT face tracking API. As you answered the quiz, your score determined which spirit animal you’d become - instantly transforming your face into a custom mask that you could see, snap, and share.