Area 51

Virtual Alien Autopsy
Processing, Cinema 4D, Photoshop

Inspired by Stanley Milgram's Experiments on obedience to authority, Area 51 is a dark twist on the 2000s 'Virtual Pet' craze in which audiences are coerced into performing torturous experiments on an alien character.

In the experience a variety of actions are avaliable, but intentionally limited to create an illusion of choice. Bright, wriggly pixel art animation, sound effects and narration respond to the satisfyingly tactile controls- obfuscating the cruelty of the situation through gamification. The user is in control of the virtual apparatus... but are they in control of their own choices?