The Sidequest was an immersive dark fantasy experience exploring the intersection of storytelling, technology, and physical space. Created as a collaborative interactive installation, the project transformed a familiar environment into an enchanted forest where participants became active protagonists rather than passive observers. Through a combination of interactive technology, environmental fabrication, projection, animation, and cinematic worldbuilding, The Sidequest invited groups of four to navigate a mysterious world with one objective: escape.

At its core, the experience used interaction as a storytelling device. Guided by a magical talking hat, participants uncovered the path forward through a sequence of three collaborative challenges that gradually revealed the secrets of the forest. The installation was built using Arduino-powered ultrasonic sensors, Isadora, VDMX, custom animation, and projections to create responsive moments that reacted to each group's actions. Scenic elements including real branches, leaves, rocks, and other natural materials helped turn the space into a forest that felt real enough for participants to forget they were standing in a gallery.

Collaboration was central to the project's development. Four artists combined their skills in programming, design, storyboarding, illustration, lighting, and fabrication to create a cohesive experience where every discipline contributed to the illusion. The result was an immersive world where technology disappeared into the environment, allowing participants to experience the excitement of adventure together.

A full walkthrough of the experience can be found here: