Mad Mixologist

ALT Games Lab @ UCSC

In the world of Mad Mixologist, two scientists set out to create the perfect drink. However, during their final experiment, an accident occurred and their vision became swapped. Now each mixologist can only see from the eyes of the other, and they must quickly work together to complete their ultimate drink before it is too late!

Mad Mixologist is a collaborative two-player alternative controller game that uses AR and perspective switching as the main mechanic to encourage understanding of another’s viewpoint. In the game, players use customized VR headsets which have been modified to capture and broadcast video of the view from the front of the headsets. However, rather than looking out of the headsets normally, each player is instead shown video from the other player’s camera/view (i.e., swapping perspectives). In this way, each player is looking at themselves from the other player’s viewpoint when playing, and have to consider how the other player might be seeing their video feed as well. During gameplay, players create an edible non-alcoholic drink by taking turns completing 1 step of the “perfect drink” recipe. Each player will be instructed to either a) pour 1 ingredient into another, b) mix multiple ingredients together, or c) garnish the drink appropriately. When each task is complete, they ring their service bell to move on to the next action and this repeats until the drink is complete. These tasks are notably difficult as both players have to coordinate to perform these actions from the perspective of the other. At the end of the game, players and spectators get to taste the spoils of their labor and enjoy the perfect drink! Perfect drink recipes currently include Raspberry Fizz and Cranberry Limeade with more to come in the future.

CREDITS
Created by Eddie Melcer, Director of the ALT Games Lab at UC Santa Cruz

Learn more

• Website
• Twitter
• LinkedIn