Space Odyssey

Taipei | Learning Through the Looking Glass

Space Odyssey - A visual trip in space

High-Level Project Summary

Space Odyssey is a game concept that will help people learn about the significant milestone for space observation that the James Webb Space Telescope has reached so far. For instance, during its journey, it captured several breathtaking images that helped us better understand the universe's origin. In our game, players will travel with a tour group, the James Webb’s eyes. Players have to solve puzzles composed of actual images captured by Webb. Eventually, players will learn the stories of the images while having fun with the puzzles . Space Odyssey’s game concept is essential since it brings an amusing experience that will evoke people's interest in the Webb Space Telescope.

Link to Final Project

https://www.figma.com/proto/63Fgc2hfZacPa0JXSmzmIs/Space-Odyssey?page-id=0%3A1&node-id=145%3A1973&viewport=-1355%2C-131%2C0.1&scaling=contain&starting-point-node-id=145%3A1973

Link to Project "Demo"

https://youtu.be/ytjd4r8DSz0

Detailed Project Description

What exactly does it do? How does it work?

Introduction Chapter

Initially, Space Odyssey creates an immersive experience to let players become space tourists.

The game begins with a brief introduction about our in-game tour guide, James Webb’s eyes. Additionally, the tour guide will give a miniature Webb telescope to every player.

After that, players will see some introductions about the Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

Secondly, it illustrates the ultimate purpose of the tour group, which is the same as the Webb Space Telescope, is to search for the first generation of stars.

Thirdly, it emphasizes that the Webb Space Telescope is also good at finding compounds such as water and hydrocarbons.

Puzzle Chapter

After that, the tour guide will bring players to the first attraction- “Webb’s First Image”, released on July 12, 2022.

Here comes the first puzzle! Players will have to solve this puzzle. It is essential to mention that it offers introductions to the images captured by the Webb Space Telescope (JWST) that will be shown throughout the game. For instance, descriptions will be displayed once users click the “Check information” button.

After finishing the puzzle, a magnificent view will appear on the window. The tour guide indicates that there are more attractions and more puzzles to be solved.

Then, led by the tour guide, players will be brought to the second attraction, the image of “Cosmic Cliffs (NGC 3324)”. It showcases Webb’s cameras’ capabilities to peer through cosmic dust, shedding new light on how stars form.

In addition, we increase the difficulty of the second puzzle from four pieces to six pieces.

Let’s head to the last attraction! Press the green button!

The last attraction, the destination of this journey, Jupiter.

Let’s have a peek into Jupiter’s life!

In last puzzle, we increase the difficulty from six pieces to nine pieces.Auroras and hazes glow in this composite image of Jupiter taken by the James Webb Space Telescope's Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam).

Puzzle solved!

This is the destination of our journey today.

We believe that all players have learned more about the James Webb Space Telescope!

Hopefully, the James Webb Space Telescope would unveil the mystery of space’s origin soon!

Can’t wait!

What benefits does it have?

Through the game process, players can get familiar with the Webb Space Telescope by giving a brief glimpse into Webb’s images. At each observation station, the strength of Webb can be seen and it highlights Webb's functionality. People will learn more about the value of space observing, and this will stimulate their imaginations. In summation, the more they play this game, the more they are fascinated by the universe.

What do you hope to achieve?

Ultimately, we seek an easy puzzle game that people of all ages will understand more about the Webb Space Telescope, and how crucial the Weber telescope has brought to the space observation field. Furthermore, a game is more interesting than a scientific article and easier to catch everyone’s eye. We firmly believe that Space Odyssey’s game concept is essential since it brings an amusing experience that will evoke people's interest in the Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

What tools, coding languages, hardware, or software did you use to develop your project?

The designer of team developed project prototype by using Figma, some of the images, buttons and icons were also designed by using Figma. The design of astronaut tour guide was refered to the astronaut design of https://www.freepik.com/author/catalyststuff The gif of JWST was designed by using online gif-maker tool —Gifmake and the other gifs were taken from Figma plugin—Imagif.

Space Agency Data

The design team useds the data offered by NASA, including the basic information, the purposes and the features of James Webb Space Telescope. By adding the guide interaction before playing the puzzle games officially, the players can get to know about these JWST Information.

Also, the design team chose some iconic pictures captured by James Webb Space Telescope to let the players can take a look at these stunning space pictures. The pictures that chosen by the design team represent different meanings, too. The first picture, which is the first attraction of th game tour is actually the first picture captured by James Webb Space Telescope.

On the puzzle game interface, the design team add a fuction that the players can click on the button "Check Information" , so that the players can not only finish the puzzle but also can get to more detailed information about the puzzle pictures. All the information used in this area are all from James Webb Space Telescope official website.

At the end of the game, the design team added some expectancy words to let the players can aware the great possibility of JWST in the future. By this way, the players maybe will track the lastest trend of the James Webb Space Telescope after finishing the game.

Hackathon Journey

Hi!

This is our first time to participate in NASA Space App Challenge, we are really excited!

Our team decided to pick this challenge because our common interests revolved around this topic, we wanted to provide a game which is interactive and users can learn about James Web Space Telescope.

During this hackathon journey, we worked closely to make the best use of everyone's expertise. We gain a lot of knowledge and experience about JWST. Thanks to our team members who have pushed themselves and worked so hard on this project and also thanks to all the resources that NASA has provided us so that we can complete this masterpiece!