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Inspiration
We wanted to represent this year's themed track "Social Good" in the most creative and engaging way possible while also leaving an impact on our user's perspective and views. Early on in the planning phase, we knew that climate change was a topic we strongly wanted to raise awareness of especially because of the recent devastating effects we have been seeing recently. We knew that many people have heard of climate change but often dismiss it, overwhelmed by the science, statistics, and the feeling of hoplessness due to the negativity that comes along with it. For this reason, we decided to create a game to prove to the player that anyone can be a hero and do their part in preventing climate change and advocating for their environment!
What it does
"Sunny Days" is an immersive game in which the player is tasked with protecting little plant goblins from the threat of "Oilos". The innocent plant goblins represent the endangered species from the real world and the "Oilos" creatively represent the oil spills and other forms of climate change which have devastating impacts to the balance of Earth's ecosystem. The objective of this game is to collect seedlings around the open world game to plant as a barrier around the plant goblins while simultaneously fighting the Oilos that are encroaching towards the plant goblin. If the plant goblins are exposed to the Oilos for too long, the goblins will get sicker and sicker until they eventually die. The player wins if they are able to protect all of the goblins with majority of them surviving. The conclusion of the game ends in a hopeful and motivational note for both winners and losers, urging them to advocate for climate change issues in our own planet.
How we built it
2D Open-World Development In crafting "Sunny Days" as a 2D open-world game, we embarked on a journey to create a vibrant and expansive virtual environment teeming with life and environmental challenges. Here's how we brought this vision to life:
Unity Game Engine Utilizing the Unity game engine provided us with a powerful platform to design, develop, and deploy our 2D open-world game. Unity's robust suite of tools and intuitive interface enabled us to seamlessly integrate various elements, from visual assets to gameplay mechanics, within a cohesive framework.
Pixel Tile Arts Central to the creation of our open-world environment were pixel tile arts, meticulously crafted to form the building blocks of our game worlds. These pixel art assets allowed us to construct intricate landscapes, from lush forests to sprawling meadows, with a charming aesthetic reminiscent of classic 2D games. By leveraging pixel art, we imbued our game with a nostalgic appeal while maintaining flexibility and scalability in level design.
Intricate Game Worlds Drawing inspiration from classic 2D adventure games, we approached level design as a creative endeavor akin to assembling a puzzle. Each element of the environment, from terrain features to environmental hazards, was carefully orchestrated to provide both aesthetic appeal and strategic depth. Players were encouraged to explore every corner of the open world, uncovering hidden secrets and encountering diverse challenges along the way.
Abstract Interactable Classes To manage character interactions within the open-world environment, we employed abstract interactable classes as a foundational framework. These classes encapsulated various interactive elements, such as NPCs, environmental objects, and quest triggers, providing a modular and scalable approach to game design. By abstracting common interaction patterns into reusable components, we streamlined development and ensured consistency across different areas of the game world.
Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) At the heart of our codebase lay the principles of object-oriented programming (OOP), which guided our approach to game development. By organizing code into classes and objects, we fostered a structured and modular architecture that facilitated efficient development and maintenance. Encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism were leveraged to model game entities, behaviors, and interactions, empowering us to iterate rapidly and adapt to evolving design requirements.
Challenges we ran into
The journey of creating "Sunny Days" was not without its hurdles. We encountered various challenges along the way, including technical obstacles and logistical issues:
Git Issues: Version control proved to be a recurring challenge, necessitating meticulous coordination and troubleshooting. Asset Creation: The need to generate most of our assets from scratch added complexity to the development process, requiring creativity and resourcefulness. Unity Learning Curve: For team members new to Unity, overcoming the learning curve presented initial difficulties in navigating the engine's features and functionalities. Game Mechanics Finalization: Refining game mechanics within the broad scope of environmental themes posed a significant challenge, demanding careful balance and iteration. Despite these challenges, our team persevered, leveraging collaboration and problem-solving skills to overcome obstacles and deliver a polished end product.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
The completion of "Sunny Days" within a compressed timeframe of less than 30 hours stands as a testament to our team's dedication and proficiency. Key achievements include:
Full-scale Game Development: Building a comprehensive gaming experience from scratch, showcasing our ability to learn and adapt to new technologies and workflows. Effective Task Management: Successfully delegating tasks and working cohesively as a team to meet project milestones and deadlines. User-Centric Design: Crafting animations and designs that prioritize user experience, ensuring smooth gameplay and engagement. Creative Advocacy: Symbolizing and advocating for environmental issues through the medium of video games, demonstrating the potential of gaming as a tool for social good.
What we learned
The development of "Sunny Days" provided invaluable learning opportunities for our team, encompassing technical skills, project management, and thematic understanding:
Technical Proficiency: Gaining proficiency in Unity game development and associated technologies, expanding our repertoire of tools and techniques. Collaborative Dynamics: Enhancing communication and collaboration skills through effective teamwork and task delegation. Environmental Awareness: Deepening our understanding of climate change and pollution, fostering a sense of responsibility and urgency for environmental stewardship. Creativity and Adaptability: Cultivating creativity and adaptability in problem-solving, particularly within the constraints of game development.
What's next for Sunny Days
What's next for Sunny Days Looking ahead, we envision a roadmap of continued growth and enhancement for "Sunny Days," encompassing several key areas of development:
Enhanced Environmental Challenges: Forest Fires: Introduce mechanics where the player must navigate through areas affected by wildfires, highlighting the consequences of deforestation and climate change-induced fire risks. Flooding: Implement scenarios where rising water levels pose obstacles, emphasizing the impact of sea-level rise and extreme weather events.
Educational Content: Informational Resources: Incorporate in-game resources such as articles, infographics, or mini-games that provide factual information about climate change, pollution, and sustainable practices. Real-world Examples: Integrate real-world case studies or statistics within the game environment to illustrate the immediate and long-term effects of environmental degradation.
Community Engagement Features: Multiplayer Mode: Introduce cooperative or competitive multiplayer modes where players can collaborate or compete to address environmental challenges together, fostering a sense of collective action. User-generated Content: Allow players to contribute their own ideas, challenges, or solutions to environmental issues within the game, promoting community involvement and creativity.
** Outreach and Partnerships:** Collaborations: Partner with environmental organizations, educators, and activists to leverage their expertise and resources in enhancing the game's impact and reach. Awareness Campaigns: Launch coordinated awareness campaigns and events within the game to coincide with real-world environmental initiatives, encouraging players to take action beyond the virtual realm.
Continuous Improvement: Feedback Mechanisms: Implement systems for collecting player feedback and suggestions, enabling iterative improvements and updates to gameplay mechanics, narrative elements, and educational content. Accessibility: Ensure the game remains accessible to diverse audiences by addressing usability issues, optimizing performance on different platforms, and accommodating players with varying abilities and preferences.
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