As we have discussed in this tour, different physical elements of the toy can influence the experience of the user or connect to the associations that they already have. They do not exist separately, but rather make one coherent presentation. Taken together, they create a user experience for the person playing with it.
As Legaard (2023) argues, the different forms of meaning unlock experiences. The instrumental experiences are unlocked through symbolic and associated meaning - these are markers coming from the physical and aesthetic attributes of the toy. We are able to directly perceive them and ascribe value to them. For our toy, these are its shape directly resembling a gun, as well as the colours giving us an association with its elite function. These associations are different for each user and can influence how users play with the toy and shape their experiences.
The usage experience is linked to more pragmatic aspects, also linked to physical design. This time focusing on the affordances that the toy provides. As a toy gun, the Elite 2.0 Commander affords the user a possibility to shoot darts. This shapes the way one can interact with it into a specific experience. A user is then less likely to use the toy as something else, e.g., a door stopper, as the object does not afford good door stopping capabilities.
Profound experience is about unlocking deeper meaning in play. The toy enables the players to engage in play that is meaningful to them. The object itself is not always the main focal point. Rather, the experiences that it unlocks are. For the Nerf gun, we have described two different categories of meaningful experiences - the shared play and the power dynamics enabled by the toy. We elaborate on the power dynamics in the third tour.
Lastly, a temporal dimension of experience refers to a strong emotional bond with the toy. A bond that is able to strengthen attachment and extend the time they interact with it. For this experience, we have discussed an interesting example of toy attachments afforded by the toy, as well as the extensive modifications done by adult enthusiasts. Especially the latter showcases how a strong bond with the toy can stand the test of time.