Cosmic Odyssey
AR / VR/ MR / HCI
Problem Statement
Designing a VR space game in Unity poses challenges in simulating realistic orbital mechanics, intuitive planet manipulation controls, performance optimization for VR, and hardware compatibility. Overcoming these hurdles is crucial for crafting an immersive and educational experience that ignites curiosity about space.
Target Audience
The game Cosmic Odyssey is designed for junior school kids aged 10 to 15 who are eager to learn about space and gain knowledge about astronomy and astronauts.
Literature Review
This paper explores the transformative potential of Virtual Reality (VR) in daily life, focusing on its applications in education, fitness, social interaction, and relaxation. Highlighting a case study in astronomy education, it underscores VR's ability to provide immersive, engaging learning experiences while addressing challenges like cost, accessibility, and ethical considerations. The future of VR promises significant advancements across various fields, enhancing personal well-being and offering innovative, interactive experiences.
Research Evidence
Realistic Orbital Mechanics: Current simulations may lack precision in replicating real-world orbital dynamics, affecting planetary interactions.
Intuitive Controls: Designing intuitive VR controls for planet manipulation can be challenging due to the complexities of three-dimensional space.
Performance Optimization: Achieving seamless VR immersion requires meticulous performance optimization to handle the computational demands of rendering expansive space environments.
Hardware Compatibility: Ensuring VR hardware compatibility is crucial, as differences in specifications may impact performance and user experience.
Goal of VR App
The primary goal of the VR space exploration game is to immerse players in a captivating journey through the cosmos, allowing them to discover celestial objects, explore planetary systems, and uncover the mysteries of the universe. Through navigation, planet manipulation, and completing challenges, players deepen their understanding of astronomy, fostering curiosity, wonder, and a passion for exploration.
Solution
Utilizing Virtual Reality (VR) technology, we've crafted an immersive space exploration game. VR enhances engagement by providing an authentic experience, allowing players to navigate celestial objects intuitively.
Our solution addresses challenges by fostering curiosity and deepening understanding of astronomy.
By simulating realistic orbital mechanics and integrating educational content, our VR game offers an engaging and educational experience, inspiring curiosity and wonder about the universe.
2D Ideation of VR Game
I created a 2D diagram in Figma, depicting a player standing on a plane, and visualizing how the scene would appear from the player's perspective when brought to life as a Unity VR game.
Interaction Design
The Teleportation ensures comfortable movement, preventing motion sickness in VR.
The grab interaction adds a tactile, intuitive way for players to interact with objects, enhancing immersion.
The Sockets anchor objects, enabling planetary orbits and space station docking.
The Environmental interactions add depth with puzzles and challenges, encouraging exploration and problem-solving.
Space Rules
Game play
User Testing & Reviews
The numbers are based on the 46 reviews provided, and the ratios are approximate.
Here's a brief interpretation of the chart:
The majority of reviews (43%) mention the features of the game, such as teleportation and grab interaction, which suggests that these aspects are important to users.
About 22% of reviews mention that users are able to understand the game, which suggests that the game's design and instructions are clear and effective.
A significant number of reviews (39%) mention the playing interest, such as how engaging and fun the game is, which indicates that the game is successful in capturing users' attention and interest.
A smaller number of reviews (17%) mention the usage of the game, such as how it's used in classrooms or at home, which suggests that users are finding practical applications for the game.
Summary
Cosmic Odyssey is a VR space exploration game for kids aged 10 to 15, designed to educate and inspire. By using immersive VR technology and intuitive interactions, the game allows young learners to explore celestial objects and understand space concepts. Cosmic Odyssey aims to ignite curiosity and foster a passion for astronomy and astronautics.