AnyWay is a playful digital space thats nurtures existing connections through various modes of simultaneous and sequential interactions.
GAME DESIGN, 24HR DESIGN-A-THON
Emma Deng, Arielle Turullos, April Chou
TEAM
We all have relationships in our life that we hold close to our hearts, as well as ones we wish were stronger.
But in an increasingly digital world, human connections can be difficult to navigate and feel shallow. Through user research, we identified three major pain points associated with digital interactions:
01
Lack of reciprocity
People feel uncertain about how much to engage because they don’t know the level of interaction the other person expects.
03
Passive engagement
The most popular form of digital interaction, texting, tends to be passive, leading to stalled connections.
02
Limited emotional depth
Digital interactions can feel surface-level, making it hard to express or experience genuine emotions.
How might we reimagine digital connections to capture the natural rhythm of in-person interactions that shift between light touchpoints and deeper engagement?
OUR SOLUTION
Introducing AnyWay
AnyWay
Friendship, Your Way
Users can send friends daily prompts drawn from randomized interaction types, including drawing, photo, video, audio, and written prompts.
Because every relationship is unique, we designed prompts to be flexible. What feels natural to share with one friend may not feel the same with another. To support this, users can choose which friends to send prompts to, building connections at their own pace. AnyWay uses a friendship level system that grows based on prompts sent and received, as well as shared simultaneous actions like Sync Up!
FEATURE SPOTLIGHT
Daily prompts
To add a playful dynamic, we introduce team-based “boss fight” challenges where pairs of friends compete against others in real time. Sync Up, a multiple choice quiz, tests how well friends know each other, reinforcing bonds through fun, shared experiences. At the start of the game, users choose personal details to reveal as their friendship progresses, motivating them to earn points and level up.
FEATURE SPOTLIGHT
Synch Up!
You know that feeling when a shared moment suddenly brings you closer to someone?
We designed milestones to recreate that spark digitally. At the start of a connection, users set “gifts” that unlock as friends reach milestones through successful Synch Ups. These “gifts” are personal tidbits—stories, quirks, or surprises—that spark laughter, moments of resonance, and open new conversations.
FEATURE SPOTLIGHT
Level system and milestones