Trigger Studios

We explored the use of VR-based gamification as a form of exposure therapy to support individuals experiencing social anxiety and crowd phobia. Social anxiety, a long-term and overwhelming fear of social situations, often stems from the anticipation of negative evaluation or the belief that one’s presence may make others uncomfortable. Our goal was to help users gradually build confidence in navigating crowded environments through immersive experiences.

To ground our design in real experiences, we conducted video interviews to uncover common triggers, coping strategies, and sensory sensitivities. Participants highlighted that factors such as loud noise, unpredictable movement, bright lighting, and interactions with strangers often worsened their anxiety. Many expressed that they felt more comfortable in calm, seated settings compared to situations requiring navigation through moving crowds.

Drawing from these insights, we developed a VR experience that gradually increased in intensity. The journey began in a quiet, seated environment and progressed to more dynamic scenes where users would actively move through and eventually find themselves within a crowd. This gradual exposure was designed to support confidence-building through repeated, controlled interactions.

As part of our process, we learned to capture 360° video and filmed real-world footage on the busy streets of London, including Oxford Street. This allowed us to create a realistic and immersive environment that closely reflects the types of situations users may find challenging in daily life.