Image for the iOS game Data Mine.

How one’s personal information is gathered and exploited as we go about our daily lives, is the subject of this prototype iOS game for the BBC. Working with digital innovation company Chromatrope and game design studio Matheson Marcault, we devised an episodic game that put you in the position of an intern at a data analytics company.

Screen designs for the iOS game Data Mine

In the game, it is your job to choose what user data to collect and sell, in order to maximise the monatery value of your userbase to your employer’s clients. As you make choices in the game, you slowly learn how different corporations use what they know about you in your daily life, as you use social networks, store cards, photo sharing sites, and more.

Screen designs for the iOS game Data Mine

I designed the overall interface, and narrative interaction of the game. Choices are made through a simple messenger-style interface, as the story is delivered to you via messages from your colleagues. Your progress in the game is shown via a leaderboard and stocks-style representation of your userbase’s value.

Screen designs for the iOS game Data Mine

This was a closed prototype for the BBC, but hopefully it will be released on the App Store at some point in the future.

Next project: Pepys Road