THRIVE MUNCIE

THRIVE MUNCIE is an interactive digital narrative (IDN) focused on uncovering the changes Muncie, Indiana has gone through over time. The IDN follows Emma, a Ball State University Journalism student, tasked with uncovering the truth about how Muncie has changed over time and what factors aided this change. Although Emma is a Ball State student, she has not spent a lot of time in downtown Muncie.

The experience was created by Morgan Hagerty, an Emerging Media Design and Development student at Ball State University. This experience was created for an Interactive and Nonlinear Storytelling course (EMDD 630). Morgan implemented and designed the entirety of the experience, with the help of various other creators that will be mentioned below.

Throughout the development of this experience, four rounds of usability tests were done to evaluate the ease of use, efficiency, and overall user experience of this product. Feedback was taken and evaluated, determining what changes needed to be made to ensure this experience fit all aspects of good usability. Feedback was implemented within the experience using a checklist system. 

This experience offers agency to users through the use of interactive elements. Agency refers to the degree of control the user has over the storyline, characters, and narratives. Through branching narratives, dialogue choices, exploration and discovery of hidden clues, and more, the user gets to shape their personal narrative and final outcome. Are they going to play the uninterested student looking to just receive a grade? Or are they going to dive into the experience and open their eyes to the positive aspects of Muncie? Play to find out!