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Virtual Reality Experience
The Issue ~
Overview
In today’s increasingly globalised and mobile world, many people experience a sense of cultural disconnection - especially those from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. Research has shown that changes in environment and lifestyle, such as relocation or migration, can weaken social ties and dilute collective identity, leaving individuals feeling isolated and detached from their cultural roots.
Studies highlight that food is often used to build, strengthen, and negotiate relationships - through acts of sharing, talking, caring, and belonging. This shows that food is more than something we eat - it is a way we connect with others and express who we are. In this context, food can become a bridge between generations and cultures, helping people rediscover and reconnect with their heritage.
Approach
Our experience, DISHcovery, builds on this idea by creating an interactive virtual reality (VR) cooking game that allows CALD communities to explore cultural recipes, share stories, and foster a deeper sense of community - both within and across cultures. VR allowed us to make the experience immersive in nature, while the engagement and storytelling potential of games makes it an ideal medium for fostering cultural connection.
Unlike many existing digital or social spaces that may feel performative or alienating, DISHcovery is designed to be pressure-free, story-rich, and welcoming - making it a meaningful application of the metaverse’s potential to break down physical boundaries and offer authentic, inclusive connection.
Designing for Virtual Reality ~
Currently, existing VR cooking games focus on entertainment or realism but do not cater to the emotional, cultural, or communal needs of CALD users. They lack narrative depth, intercultural understanding, and accessibility features like multilingual content or cultural context. Moreover, few offer collaborative, social features that allow for cultural exchange or reconnection.
We used 360º sketches and XR Head mounted Displays to test the early stages of our solution
Our Journey ~
User Testing
We tested our 360º sketches with users to gather insights and feedback on the concept
Iterate and develop a Unity Prototype
Using what we learnt, we started develop the space in Unity to get users interacting with the experience
User Testing Round 2
We continued to test the interact-able version of our experience to learn about how users engage with the VR environment
What did we learn?
Based on these insights, we made several targeted changes.
We made the bar table’s purpose clearer by adding an NPC sitting with a drinking mug, and to enhance social realism, we introduced name-tags above NPCs’ heads to mimic a multiplayer environment.
We redesigned the window textures, adding a realistic glass effect and high-resolution images to replace the previous painted appearance.
The high ceilings were lowered to make the space feel more intimate and proportionate, and the bar table was resized to standing height for casual interaction.
For movement, we completely removed joystick navigation and implemented teleportation throughout to improve comfort and maintain users’ physical boundaries.
To deepen the cultural integration, we refined the environment concept to represent a specific CALD community, enriching the visual style with culturally resonant details - in this case Korean elements throughout (landscape through the window and specific korean furniture).
Our Solution ~
DISHcovery is a social, team-based Virtual Reality (VR) cooking game, aimed to help Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) individuals re-connect with heritage. Through communal cooking class competitions, this fun and relaxing game teaches new cooking skills and recipes, strengthening individuals’ connection to their culture as well as providing the opportunity to learn about others’ cultures. Meet new people and catch up with friends in a class and start learning together!
Sarah Samarasinghe
Sydney 2024