OnlyBans Game
OnlyBans is an interactive game that critically examines the policing of marginalized bodies and sexual labor to empathetically teach people about discrimination faced by sex workers online. Players encounter content moderation algorithms, shadowbanning, "real name" policies, facial recognition software, and other threats based on actual experiences of sex workers. Based on research by Hacking//Hustling and featuring real images and stories from sex workers themselves, OnlyBans offers a speculative vision of how marginalized communities can unite to protest these unjust policies and create better alternatives.*
*Text taken from from the About section on OnlybansGame.com Read more about the here.
Role: Sound Designer
Description: Conceptualized and created all the sounds, effects, and songs featured in the game. The prompt was to create sound effects for the pop up videos, the cut scenes, and additionaly create a sonic environment that matches the mission, vision, and values of the game. The goal was to create an environment that is fun and engaging yet still underscores the subject material it’s intensity and material conditions.
For the soundtracks, the video game scenes were isolated into 4 main categories that would be associated with different tonal environments - ambient, sexy, outside a club, and dark. An event sequence diagram was used to make sure that all of the sound effects would be correctly sonically situated depending on each moment in the video game. There were three categories for the sound effects to design for - positive sounds, neutral sounds, and negative sounds.
Tools used: Figma, Spreadsheets, Ableton, Field Recordings, Voice
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Credits
Creator: Lena Chen
Narration Nympho (writer): Lena Chen
Software Princess (programmer): Maggie Oates
Vaporwave Vixen (graphic designer & videographer): Goofy Toof
Sound Design: Adrienne Cassel
Contributors: Amala Azul, Fae Brite, Hellbait, J.P. (Themme), Lync Johnson, Karren, Nimina Harley, Stonerdomme, Quin
PRESENTATION HISTORY
October 5, 2021 – Design & Technology Cloud Salon, Parsons School of Design
September 10, 2021 – OnlyBans: A Playthrough and Discussion on the Policing of Bodies, Ars Electronica
September 10-December 10, 2021 – TRACKED & TRACED, Science Gallery, Detroit, USA
May 5-18, 2021 – Designing In Troubling Times, Uroboros Festival, Prague, Czech Republic
April 15-May 28, 2021 – what’s ur handle?, Pfizer Building, School of Visual Arts, New York, USA
Promotional image taken from https://www.lenachen.com/onlybans/
Sound Design
Background SoundtracksSound Effects