Found in the Fjords

Found in the Fjords is an immersive virtual reality game and embodied learning experience for Meta Quest 2 built from real expedition data collected during a citizen-science mission to Arctic Norway. Created by our all-women team at Three Otters Media, the experience transforms spatial data, underwater footage, and behavioral observations into an interactive world where players live as a wild orca navigating a changing ecosystem.

As Storytelling Lead and Co-Creator, I translated expedition media and scientific research into narrative, gameplay, and worldbuilding. We used GPS coordinates, 360 video, spatial audio, and game engine design to reconstruct the fjords and deployed interspecies embodiment as the core mechanic—allowing players to move, hunt, and perceive as an orca. I embedded calls-to-action to ensure the experience extended beyond the headset, empowering players with tangible ways to support ocean conservation. The project was named a Top Winner of the inaugural Metaverse for the SDGs Prize, recognizing its innovation in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through immersive media.

Impact: Found in the Fjords demonstrates how immersive technology can fundamentally reshape human-nature relationships. By allowing players to experience the world through the body and senses of another species, the project fosters empathy, emotional connection, and a deeper understanding of how human actions shape marine ecosystems. Built in support of global ocean conservation goals, the experience extends beyond the headset—prompting players to commit to real-world action. The project stands as a proof-of-concept for how expedition-derived data, storytelling, and VR can converge to inspire new mindsets rooted in coexistence, stewardship, and a future where humans and orcas can thrive together.