Monday Plays: Circle Of Six
So this isn't a game, and actually it's still in development, but I thought it was an interesting application of mobile technology and clever visual design. Circle Of Six is an app created to help combat dating violence and sexual assault. Essentially, it lets you pick 6 friends who you can easily text for help through the app, as well as direct lines to 911 and sexual assault/domestic abuse hotlines.
What I think is cool about this app is that they didn't stop at the function, but instead tried to think about the context it would be used in. Because people will likely need the app when they're in uncomfortable or unsafe situations, the developers knew that they couldn't make the app's function look obvious--otherwise, if the user was seen using it, they could be in even more danger. The color palette is sunny, and all of the functions are indicated through icons--not explicit words. Further, the app uses preloaded messages and automatically includes Google Maps coordinates when appropriate, meaning that when there is clear text on the screen (i.e. when the user is sending one of the preloaded messages via text), it can be submitted very quickly, easily, and innocuously, without requiring the user to input anything or check the message over.
Obviously one app is not going to end sexual violence, and there's always the issue of unfair blaming when you shift responsibility for the violence onto the victim's action/inaction (rather than the perpetrator), but I do think it's a good tool to have in one's back pocket, and a good perspective on how to design apps that are used in dangerous/sensitive/emergency contexts.
You can check out more screens of it and a more detailed overview here.
