Designers
Designers
Designers
Next Stop
Explore the highs and lows of nomadic life through a collaborative game bridging two worlds.
Key Words
Designers
Julie Wu
SUMMARY
Next Stop is a collaborative simulation game that lets players experience life as a digital nomad or a local. I started by researching the emotional challenges of nomadism—burnout, loneliness, cultural disconnection—and interviewed real nomads to understand their stories. After testing and pivoting from a utility app, I designed a game where players complete quests, unlock cities, and connect through shared experiences. It matters because it makes the realities of nomadic life visible and interactive, encouraging understanding in a playful, human way.
challenge
Through interviews and online ethnography research, I found that many digital nomads struggle with emotional burnout, loneliness, and feeling misunderstood. While logistical issues like visas are common topics, the emotional toll is often overlooked. Meanwhile, non-nomads often have limited understanding of this lifestyle. This revealed a key opportunity: to design a space where both groups can connect—not through facts, but through shared, game-based experiences that spark empathy and curiosity.
Outcome
The project became a two-player simulation game called Next Stop, where one player takes on the role of a digital nomad and the other a local. Together, they complete quests, explore cities, and navigate challenges rooted in real nomadic experiences. By turning emotional struggles into interactive missions, the game makes invisible aspects of nomadic life feel tangible and relatable. It offers a playful yet thoughtful way to foster empathy, addressing both the emotional needs of nomads and the curiosity gap of non-nomads.
MEET THE Designers:
Julie Wu