Game developers help Blackwood turn everyday life into a digital challenge

Game developers have been drafted in to give a ‘fun and interactive’ twist to living and working in a trio of Scottish communities. The team at Hyper Luminal normally create entertainment games for Xbox, PlayStation and iPhone – but were challenged to gamify everyday life and encourage thousands of Scots to live in healthier ways.

The MyLife app, developed by the Dundee-based studio, is being rolled out as part of the Peoplehood project, led by Blackwood, which aims to transform life for locals in three Scottish communities.

Peoplehood is a £12.5 million project to develop a future-proof model for independent living in communities in Glasgow, Dundee and Morayshire, helping people to live healthier, happier and longer. The three-year initiative will create a blueprint for welcoming communities with age-friendly homes, supported by cutting-edge technologies and safe outdoor spaces to sustain physical activities.

The funding will see each area benefit from free tablets and Wi-Fi for participants to help them get digitally connected, while also delivering e-bikes, electric cars and a host of equipment and activities within communities, all according to local demand.

Stuart Martin, CEO of Hyper Luminal Games, said the app was developed during a process involving local people who will use it, part of the co-design ethos at the heart of the Peoplehood initiative.

He added: “Blackwood residents are our beta testers, because only by finding out what is important to them – identifying services and functionalities which should be prioritised and seeing them interact with the app–  can we be sure that MyLife will improve their lives.”

The co-design process showed that many testers enjoyed digital games, puzzles and brainteasers, but did not consider that gaming.

Mr Martin added: “The common response was ‘we don’t play games’, but, just because you don’t pick up a game pad or use a PlayStation, doesn’t mean you are not a gamer.

“Once we probed further, we found many played Candy Crush or Sudoku on phones or did crosswords on a tablet, and they accepted that MyLife could be an interesting and valuable addition to daily life.”

He also praised Blackwood for its attitude to tech.

He added: “The way that Blackwood embraces technology, and especially games technology, has been revolutionary. MyLife is another example of how they are at the forefront of innovative technology which makes their residents’ lives happier, healthier and more fun.”

The app features an on-screen avatar character to keep residents informed of local events and motivate them to take part in community activities, with suggestions suited to their needs, interests and abilities.

Each avatar will also take into account the medical, health and mobility circumstances of individual users, who can earn real-life awards – such as free gardening work or use of an electric car or e-bike. The more they engage with MyLife, the greater the potential rewards.

Fanchea Kelly, Chief Executive of Blackwood, said: “MyLife will get to know a resident’s daily schedule and can suggest tasks or activities which encourage mobility. It could be as simple as washing some dishes, going for a walk or speaking to a neighbour, all of which earn rewards which can be used to customise their avatar.

“Blackwood credits can also be earned from community engagement or interaction, for example, doing a neighbour’s shopping or taking part in a dance class. Those credits can be used in a variety of ways such as the free use of a community e-car or getting their garden done for free.

“The avatar will be a friendly personal assistant. but it is also designed to be a gateway to making new friends and a portal to allow residents to connect with other individuals. MyLife will be mindful of a person’s individual health circumstances, such as mobility and mental health, and it can be enhanced by input from a person’s care provider or family member.”

The app will also collate data which will guide Blackwood in shaping and improving future services for Peoplehood residents. It can also be used for issuing questionnaires and act as a notice board for relevant announcements.”

The Peoplehood Project received £6 million UK Research and Innovation funding as part of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund/Healthy Ageing Challenge – the only project in Scotland to win funding – which was match-funded by a further £6.5 million from Blackwood and its nine industry partners.

Detailed research identified the three most suitable Peoplehood locations. Charleston in Dundee was chosen, because it already has a high number of specialist Blackwood Homes. Cardonald in Glasgow is best suited to explore the development of an integrated community, while Buckie, situated between Banff and Elgin, presents challenges around its rural location, public transport and Wi-Fi accessibility.

The nine partner organisations working with Blackwood on Peoplehood are: University of Edinburgh; Canon Medical Research Europe; Carebuilder UK; CENSIS; Cisco International Ltd; Enterprise Rent-a-Car UK; Lewis & Hickey Architects; Mydex CIC and The DataLab.