Can a game help children develop hope in uncertain times?
This project is part of an international collaboration between researchers in HRI from the UK, Canada, India, Bangladesh and Japan.

Designed for children aged 7-11, "Whispers of Hope" combines narrative-driven gameplay with augmented reality to cultivate psychological resilience. Built on Snyder's Hope Theory, the game guides children through a whimsical forest where they help six animal characters overcome obstacles.

Developed using the Godot engine with AR integration (UniteAR and Zapworks), children create a customizable robot avatar that serves as their guide. The game's three sequential levels build essential socio-emotional skills: Level 1 teaches conflict resolution and empathy through interactive stories, Level 2 delivers daily affirmations using AI (ChatGPT API) to foster self-esteem and optimism, and Level 3 presents uplifting global news stories with an interactive map to promote perspective-taking and shared humanity.

The experience culminates in an AR moment where children interact with 3D characters in their physical space. Early testing with three children showed high engagement and emotional resonance, with feedback like "This game was so fun, I really enjoyed helping all the animals. I think all children should play this game."