High-Level Project Summary
Space exploration requires overcoming many challenges, such as limited supplies and access to medical care.This time we have created a board game in which the user has to overcome the stresses of space travel by combining diverse animal and plant characteristics to complete various missions.As the concept of the game, we have tried to make it a game-like yet simple game based on the concept of "a board game that can be enjoyed by ages 10 and up.The game is about completing missions on the "Moon" and "Mars" by using the player's occupational skills and the power of plants and animals.
Link to Final Project
Link to Project "Demo"
Detailed Project Description
Project Idea:
Space exploration requires overcoming many challenges, such as limited supplies and access to medical care.
This time we have created a board game in which the user has to overcome the stresses of space travel by combining diverse animal and plant characteristics to complete various missions.
As the concept of the game, we have tried to make it a game-like yet simple game based on the concept of "a board game that can be enjoyed by ages 10 and up.
Game Overview:
The game title is "Genemod.
The game is about completing missions on the "Moon" and "Mars" by using the player's occupational skills and the power of plants and animals.
Some of the missions include random accidents that may occur during space exploration, which must also be cleared.
Number of players: 2 to 4
For the sake of time, we will explain the case of 2 players.
Game set up:
1. Players must be
"Engineer / Pilot".
Biologist / Doctor".
The player selects one of the following occupations.
The initial parameters are different depending on the occupation.
2. Next, every player draw three of the gene cards, and choose two of them and place below the player character card and returns the rest back to the "Genes" deck.
The contents of the gene cards have an effect during game play.
Set the initial parameters on the cards in hand and prepare the gene cards in a way that they can be viewed.
Each player can also have one "med pack" card, which can be used in case of low life during the game.
Playing the Game:
Here is a Demo video of the game in action.
Depending on the roll of the dice each turn every player will be assigned a missions written on each board .
In the missions on the science board, you will get a no-negative or positive effect if the gene card in your hand matches the mission. Otherwise character may bare mission consequences.
The choice of the gene card affects each mission and should be considered when making the initial selection.
Once all turns for the "Moon" stage are completed, you can move on to the next stage.
Only one gene card can be replaced at the time of moving on to the next stage and genes set can be kept as it is.
By experiencing this game, you can advance your understanding of the accidents that can occur in space exploration and the plants and animals that can be involved in space exploration in the future. As well this game gives some insight on the abilities of animals on earth that can be quite useful even outside in the space environment on on other planets.
We believe the game can be utilized as an initial learning tool to create future "superheroes of astrobiology".
Space Agency Data
We were using some Images from NALA Image and Video library for parts of the game design.
NASA logoNASA Image and Video Library - https://images.nasa.gov/
Hackathon Journey
Viktor:
As soon as I read about the "Build a Space Biology Superhero" challenge I realized that I want to make a PC game or board game.
I big fun of board games but I never develop a board game on my own. So eventually I decided that I want to challenge it it and try to develop fun and educational game.
It was really great and fun to work with Hatanaka-san and Sekido-san.
This was a good experience and I think I would like to challenge Board Game development in future again because I believe that board games are good for encouraging communication, problem solving and just fun thing to do. Plus some games help you to learn new things and this s what we wanted to do with our game as well.
I would happy to hear about any feedback regarding the project from anyone. =)
References
Literature & materials used as a part of game content
(references can be found in the the content of the game cards):
1) To investigate whether or not medaka can lay eggs in space, and whether the spawned eggs can develop normally in space, that is, whether the process from fertilization to hatching progresses normally.
https://humans-in-space.jaxa.jp/faq/detail/000550.html
2) Plants can grow even in lunar soil! In anticipation of long-term stays on the moon.
https://lab-brains.as-1.co.jp/serialization/sciencerelease/2022/05/20041/
3) Silkworms are the best food for space food
https://www.nhk.or.jp/radio/kodomoqmagazine/detail/20200322_01.html
4) A Solution to Space Junk: Satellites Made of Mushrooms?
https://www.universetoday.com/150960/a-solution-to-space-junk-satellites-made-of-mushrooms/
5) Will it help us understand human aging?
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abl7811
6) Elucidation of the skin regeneration process of newts
https://www.shinshu-u.ac.jp/faculty/medicine/topics/pressrelease.pdf
7) NASA logoNASA Image and Video Library
Tags
#boardgame #space #exploration