Abstract

When designing with a material as permanent as plastic, extending the product lifespan is vital. Modularity is a great tool for increasing product lifespan by supporting ease of repair and user attachment. This project concerns game controllers and explores sustainability by using the inherent long lifespan of the video game space to support sustainability efforts and extend the time plastic is not in a landfill. User research for this project discovered that gamers held onto their gaming devices and still purchased retro hardware and software in secondary markets. It is proposed that a modular device would have a longer lifespan than a traditional controller and increase likelihood of a user repairing specific broken parts of a controller, rather than throwing the whole thing away.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Video games--Equipment and supplies--Design; Video games--Equipment and supplies--Maintenance and repair; Modular construction; Sustainable design

Publication Date

5-10-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Industrial Design (MFA)

Department, Program, or Center

School of Design (CAD)

Advisor

Alex Lobos

Advisor/Committee Member

Lorraine Justice

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Plan Codes

IDDE-MFA

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