Sheffield game developer turns to dementia care with interactive installations
Alexie Burke-Lejeune writes about game developer’s shift to dementia-focused tech.
A Sheffield game developer is turning his focus to creating interactive installations designed to support people living with dementia.
Alex Johansson, 33, is developing a series of playful, hands-on creations aimed at helping individuals reconnect with everyday tasks and experiences.
The project is being developed in collaboration with the recently launched Bridges Network at the University of Sheffield.
Among the installations is an interactive watering can, which simulates the act of watering plants.
The concept is designed to allow people with dementia to engage in familiar activities they may have once enjoyed, such as gardening, in a simple and accessible way.
The project marks a shift in direction for Johansson, who has moved away from the video game industry to concentrate fully on the initiative.
He said the transition was partly influenced by the challenges currently facing small creators in the gaming market.
Funding for the installations has come from his previous work in the gaming sector, particularly his minimalist strategy game Morse, which he reinvested into the project.
Morse teaches players Morse code through a simplified control system, using one button to navigate letters and another for numbers.
Johansson has worked with amateur radio organisations across the UK and internationally to promote the game as an educational tool, and plans to develop a curriculum to engage students and children with the subject.
Earlier in his career, Johansson also found success with mobile game Corporate Salmon, which received several million downloads after its release.
His interest in technology dates back to childhood when his father, a teacher at Bradfield School, would bring home equipment for him to experiment with.
With more installations currently in development, Johansson hopes his latest project will provide meaningful engagement for people living with dementia while opening up new possibilities in interactive design.