Final Year Project, 2022
THE PROBLEM
Haw Par Villa is a Chinese mythological theme park that aims to educate people on morality lessons through various depictions of Chinese folklore, legends, and history. However, due to its infamous landmark – the 10 Courts of Hell, the park has otherwise established a terrifying reputation for itself, and its significance has been lost in translation; Singaporeans are misled to fear Haw Par Villa as a whole.
As a result, the original intent of the park is diluted and Singaporeans are afraid to visit the park, leaving them out of touch with their roots.
So, how can we reintroduce, re-educate, and re-attract Singaporeans to visit Haw Par Villa?
THE SOLUTION
Introducing Hell's Soup Kitchen, an interactive role-play tour experience with a hella witty and playful twist that aims to shift Singaporeans' scary perception of Haw Par Villa. Shedding light on different parts of Haw Par Villa, it encourages Singaporeans to look beyond the 10 Courts of Hell and discover what else Haw Par Villa has to offer.
Through gamification, participants will explore different stations scattered across Haw Par Villa, finding missing ingredients that are all linked with a virtue – subsequently reconnecting with their roots through something fun, modern, and relatable.
Immerse in the storyline of being newly appointed junior chefs of Hell's Soup Kitchen and helping Chef Meng find the missing ingredients for her new soup recipe!
APPETISER: ADVERTISEMENTS
Print advertisements will be placed at bus stops and MRT stations along with Instagram posts to garner attention.
Potential players can then visit the microsite to learn more about Chef Meng and the tour, how Hell’s Soup Kitchen came to be, and reserve their tour dates – just like how one can book a restaurant reservation online!
MAIN COURSE: THE TOUR
Players will be greeted by Chef Meng at Hell’s Soup Kitchen, located at Haw Par Villa’s visitor centre. Along with writing materials, they will be given an activity booklet consisting of a map, prologue, some hints and station puzzles.
The newly appointed junior chefs will then explore stations all across Haw Par Villa, decoding keywords for the missing ingredients of Chef Meng's new soup recipe – all linked with a virtue.
Upon gathering all keywords, players will have to solve the final puzzle. They will then be prompted to tear a hidden perforated page at the back of the booklet, where the final part of the storyline will be revealed.
DESSERT: REWARDS
After completing the activity, players will head back to the visitor centre for a debrief.
They are rewarded with a Hell’s Soup Kitchen takeaway bag as an incentive.
The bag consists of:
• Chef Meng's Signature Soup Base » for players to cook their very own soup at home
• Hell's Soup Sticker Pack » for players to keep as collectables
• Chef Meng's Sinful Recipes » an alternative post-tour guidebook to Haw Par Villa, focusing on sins in the form of sinful recipes
All of which are given to encourage players to revisit this park even after the tour.
Thank you for viewing, have a hella wonderful day!
