Redesigning Switch

Switch is the first game device that I have ever purchased, and it provided me the best gaming experience among all the other digital devices, such as PSP, PS4, iPad, etc.

I love Switch for it’s portable (light, thin), powerful (high-resolution, support big games), and can go beyond screens (ability to connect to 4K TV and projector).

But maybe it can be redesigned to be more powerful.

Idea generation card deck/toolkit

I looked through all the idea generation toolkit suggested, and I prefer SCAMPER.

SCAMPER is a mnemonic that stands for: Substitute. Combine. Adapt. Modify. Put to another use. Eliminate. Reverse.

Here’s my ideation process with the help of SCAMPER.

Screen Shot 2020-10-11 at 10.03.27 PM.png — 1. Substitute:
Case Design

I love everything about Switch, but the back is kinda useless.
We can definitely make it more functional.

The back of the Switch only has a kickstand. It’s not super light and thin, not stable, cannot adjust the angle of it, can only be applied to hard and flat surface.

Screen Shot 2020-10-12 at 9.59.51 PM.png — 2. Combine: Camera Lens

Switch is super powerful. But, it’s missing a camera lens.

With a camera lens, Switch will be able to take photos, track motions, and support AR. Here are my sketches of where to put the camera:

I downloaded a photo of the iPhone 12, and photoshopped the cameras on the back of the Switch:

Screen Shot 2020-10-12 at 10.47.23 PM.png

Here’s a rendering for the camera design on Switch:

First, I added another kickstand to make it more stable. The angle is also adjustable.

I also added a 12 MP Wide Camera, a projector, and an Ultra Wide Camera. So that the Switch now is able to take normal photos, ultra wide photos, face recognition, motion tracking, screen projection, project mapping, AR, etc.

Screen Shot 2020-10-12 at 10.59.57 PM.png — 3. Adapt: Capture and Project

Since now our Switch has all the functions that a regular iPhone would have, we are able to apply some mixed reality experience to this powerful device.

AR-Overcooked (AR Version)

Overcooked is probably one of my favorite games on Switch. It’s a cooking simulation game that support multi-players. In a local cooperative experience, players control a number of chefs in kitchens filled with various obstacles and hazards to rapidly prepare meals to specific orders under a time limit.

Now, since our Switch has powerful cameras and projector, why don’t bring this game to real life.

Photoshop characters inside a real kitchen

Players can hold Switches to scan the real kitchen environment and project 1:1 characters into the scene. Multiple players can connect to the same Wi-Fi to play together.

Rendering of the moving AR avatars in real kitchen

Screen Shot 2020-10-12 at 11.56.57 PM.png — 7. Reverse: Motion Capture

In reverse of the experience of projecting 3D avatars to real space, why don’t we just put our self inside the virtual world?

Sketch for the Motion Capture function on the new Switch

Just Dance (Motion Capture version)

Just Dance is a dancing game that turns any room into a crazy dance floor. With Switch’s new camera function, it’s able to track player’s real-time actions.

Photoshopped Jude inside the Just Dance screenshot

Rendering of Just Dance Motion Capture Version

Overall, I think Nintendo probably has already been developing a console with cameras, but they just haven’t released yet. Can’t wait for more immersive experience!