The BrainLift by Sara Beth Way documents an in-depth exploration of the intersection between AI, board games, child development, and Generation Alpha. The research journey entailed identifying and following industry experts, unraveling the social and cognitive benefits of board games over screen time for children, dissecting board game mechanics, and evaluating the impact of augmented reality and gaming on learning and socialization. Explorations spanned niche mechanics, the evolution of gaming culture, child psychology, and critiques of modern educational and gaming frameworks.
Sara Beth Way is a sophomore at the Austin campus, passionate about board games, child development, and innovative technology. She enjoys gardening and playing strategy games with her family. Her current focus is on developing Valaria, an augmented reality board game designed to engage Gen Alpha and bring children back to the world of board games.
Continue developing and launching Valaria by building an audience, establishing expertise in child development, and releasing the game to the public through social media platforms.
Sara Beth identified her passion for board games and recognized the need to make them more appealing to Gen Alpha. She conceptualized Valaria as a unique fantasy board game that would integrate augmented reality, setting the foundation for a project that blends traditional and digital play.
To make board games appealing to Gen Alpha by combining traditional gameplay with augmented reality, encouraging children to reconnect with board games in a modern, engaging way.
Children ages 6-13 (Gen Alpha) and their families.
Valaria is a fantasy board game for children ages 6-13 that integrates augmented reality to enhance gameplay. Players collect and spend coins, purchase items, and engage in strategic battles, with real-time statistics displayed through AR. This project represents months of dedicated research, development, and implementation, resulting in a solution that addresses real-world challenges and creates meaningful impact.
"I am revolutionizing the board game industry by creating a series of VR/AR-enhanced board games that will reach millions of children in Generation Alpha, introducing an entirely new generation to the joy of board games."
Valaria aims to foster a renewed interest in board games among younger generations by blending physical and digital play. The long-term vision is to create a platform that not only entertains but also supports cognitive and social development in children, potentially inspiring a new wave of interactive, educational board games that bridge technology and traditional play worldwide.
Prototype board games produced
Podcast appearances about the project
Investor pitch events participated
Follow Sara Beth Way's journey and connect on social media to stay updated on the latest developments of this project.
Want to collaborate with Sara Beth Way?
Send an email
