Development Roadmap

The Brain Dance Game follows a phased development approach to ensure thorough testing and refinement at each stage. This roadmap outlines the progression from concept to completed product, with clear milestones and deliverables.

Phase 1: Concept Development (Completed)

Objectives

• Establish core game concept and Brain Dance integration
• Assess technical feasibility
• Develop preliminary music composition
• Define target user personas and needs

Deliverables

• Concept document outlining game purpose and structure
• Initial storyboard sketches
• Preliminary music samples from Aaron Vaders-Collins
• Technical feasibility assessment
• User persona definitions

User Impact Assessment:

• All Users: Core concept tailored to meet varied needs
• Jamie & Alex: Careful consideration of neurodivergent needs from inception
• Dr. Taylor: Evidence-based foundation aligned with therapeutic goals

Phase 2: Vertical Slice Development (Current)

Objectives

• Create polished implementation of Cross-Lateral component
• Develop core technical systems for camera-based interaction
• Establish visual identity and user interface
• Implement basic audio framework

Deliverables

• Functional prototype of Cross-Lateral ("Complexity") component
• Working camera capture and pose detection system
• Prototype Unity environment with core functionality
• Basic visual assets and UI elements
• Integrated "soothe" and "groove" audio elements
• Technical testing documentation

Current Development Focus:

• Movement4Motion (m4m) tool implementation for pose detection
• Depth mapping visualization options
• Cross-lateral movement pattern recognition
• User interface for demonstration and feedback
• Testing on standard hardware configurations

User Impact Assessment:

• Alex: Early testing focuses on coordination challenges
• Jamie: Visual instruction clarity assessed with similar users
• Maya: Interface tested for intuitive use with minimal instruction
• Dr. Taylor: Therapeutic accuracy validated with professionals

Phase 3: Expanded Storyboard & Design Document

Objectives

• Develop comprehensive game flow documentation
• Create detailed visual assets for all components
• Complete audio composition for full experience
• Define accessibility feature specifications
• Expand user interface design

Deliverables

• Comprehensive game design document
• Complete visual storyboard showing all game states
• Full audio composition suite from Aaron Vaders-Collins
• Detailed accessibility implementation plan
• Hub World design specifications
• Visual asset library

Planned Activities:

• Detailed storyboarding of all 8 Brain Dance components
• Design of title screen, menus, and transitions
• Flow mapping of complete user experience
• Multiple visual concepts for review and selection
• Documentation of complete game mechanics

User Impact Assessment:

• Alex: Visual and audio customization options prioritized
• Jamie: Clear visual progressions and transitions designed
• Maya: Flexibility and variable session design considered
• Dr. Taylor: Professional interface aligned with therapeutic documentation

Phase 4: Full Prototype Development

Objectives

• Expand from vertical slice to complete implementation
• Develop all eight Brain Dance components
• Refine motion detection and feedback systems
• Implement Hub World interface
• Create complete achievement system

Deliverables

• Functional prototype with all components
• Completed Hub World implementation
• Full achievement and progress tracking system
• Alpha version for internal testing
• Technical documentation for all systems

Planned Activities:

• Implementation of remaining seven Brain Dance components
• Development of complete achievement framework
• Creation of full progress tracking system
• Alpha testing with development team
• Technical optimization for performance

User Impact Assessment:

• Alex: Testing progression from simple to complex components
• Jamie: Visual reward system evaluated for motivation
• Maya: Variable difficulty and component selection tested
• Dr. Taylor: Assessment of therapeutic progression logic

Phase 5: User Testing & Refinement

Objectives

• Conduct thorough testing with target user groups
• Collect structured feedback through IRB-approved research
• Refine game based on user input
• Optimize for varying hardware capabilities
• Prepare for release

Deliverables

• Beta version incorporating testing feedback
• User testing documentation and research findings
• Optimized final build
• User guide and support documentation
• Launch plan

Planned Activities:

• IRB-approved testing with neurodivergent participants
• Structured feedback collection and analysis
• Iterative refinement of user experience
• Performance optimization across hardware configurations
• Documentation finalization

User Impact Assessment:

• Alex: Testing with similar users to validate sensory considerations
• Jamie: Evaluation with children of various ages and abilities
• Maya: Testing in limited space environments for accessibility
• Dr. Taylor: Validation with occupational therapists for clinical use

Phase 6: Release & Post-Launch Support

Objectives

• Official release of completed game
• Gather ongoing usage data and feedback
• Develop plans for updates and enhancements
• Expand research component

Deliverables

• Released product
• Support documentation and resources
• Update roadmap based on initial feedback
• Research publication plan

Planned Activities:

• Official launch
• Support system implementation
• Ongoing data collection (with consent)
• Research analysis and publication preparation
• Community engagement and feedback channels

User Impact Assessment:

• All Users: Monitoring of adoption and engagement
• Dr. Taylor: Professional community feedback collection
• Research Community: Data analysis for therapeutic outcomes

Budget Allocation Across Phases

Current Funding

• $1,500: Core coding and software development
• $3,000: Game design consultation and storyboard development
• $1,000: Dance components and motion design
• $500: Game testing and research participation
• Total: $6,000

Budget Distribution

• Phase 1 (Completed): 15% - Concept and planning
• Phase 2 (Current): 30% - Vertical slice development
• Phase 3: 20% - Complete design documentation
• Phase 4: 25% - Full prototype development
• Phase 5: 10% - Testing and refinement

Additional Funding Strategy

• Grant applications for expanded research component
• Partnership development with therapeutic organizations
• Academic research funding for outcome studies
• Potential for educational technology funding streams

Timeline Projections

• Phase 1: Completed
• Phase 2: Q2 2025 (Current phase)
• Phase 3: Q3 2025
• Phase 4: Q4 2025
• Phase 5: Q1 2026
• Phase 6: Q2 2026

Note: Timeline subject to adjustment based on funding, development progress, and research requirements.

Risk Assessment & Mitigation

Technical Risks

• Motion Detection Accuracy: Extensive testing with diverse body types and movement patterns
• Hardware Compatibility: Development focused on standard equipment with flexible requirements
• Performance Issues: Optimization throughout development with regular benchmarking

User Experience Risks

• Engagement Sustainability: Focus on variable reinforcement and achievement design
• Accessibility Gaps: Continuous testing with diverse user groups
• Therapeutic Validity: Ongoing consultation with occupational therapy professionals

Project Management Risks

• Scope Expansion: Clear prioritization of core therapeutic functions
• Timeline Delays: Phased approach with functional deliverables at each stage
• Budget Constraints: Modular design allowing for scaled implementation

Success Criteria

The development will be considered successful based on the following criteria:

1. Technical Performance: Reliable motion detection on standard hardware
2. Therapeutic Validity: Demonstrable alignment with Brain Dance methodology
3. User Engagement: Sustained usage patterns in testing
4. Accessibility: Successful use by diverse user groups
5. Research Outcomes: Collection of meaningful data on effectiveness