Cosmic Odyssey

AR / VR/ MR / HCI

Graphic of a planet with rings in space with purple and blue nebula background, titled 'Cosmic Odyssey Space Learning'.

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.

A space-themed user interface with three circular profile pictures of students, names, and schools, connected by lines, on a starry background with a search button.

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.

Full Report

Research Evidence

  1. Realistic Orbital Mechanics: Current simulations may lack precision in replicating real-world orbital dynamics, affecting planetary interactions.

  2. Intuitive Controls: Designing intuitive VR controls for planet manipulation can be challenging due to the complexities of three-dimensional space.

  3. Performance Optimization: Achieving seamless VR immersion requires meticulous performance optimization to handle the computational demands of rendering expansive space environments.

  4. 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.

An educational space simulation app showing the planets of the solar system, highlighting Saturn with a description that it is a gas giant larger than Earth, with a ring system. The app has buttons for learning and playing, and two laser pointers in the foreground.
Digital space-themed game interface showing planets, including Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Earth, and Venus, with game controls and progress indicators.

Interaction Design

Two hands with pink gloves holding colored blocks over a white surface, with text 'VR GRAB' in yellow and white at the top.

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.

A graphic advertisement for Unity VR sockets, featuring two different VR controller adapters with one highlighted by a red arrow against a yellow background.

The Sockets anchor objects, enabling planetary orbits and space station docking.

Unity Asset Store logo with a colorful digital background

The Environmental interactions add depth with puzzles and challenges, encouraging exploration and problem-solving.

A two-step instructional diagram for cleaning a spray paint nozzle. Step 1 shows soaking the nozzle in water, and Step 2 shows moving the nozzle to a dry position after cleaning.

Space Rules

Illustration of Saturn and Jupiter in space, with a controller and a pointer marking Jupiter, alongside space rules for a learning activity.
Illustration of the solar system showing planets with Jupiter labeled as 'Grab Planet' and Earth with a note 'Place into orbit'. The Sun is depicted as a bright yellow star, with planets orbiting around it against a space background. The left side emphasizes Jupiter, and the right side shows the planets in their orbits.

Game play

A woman with long dark hair wearing a virtual reality headset and holding VR controllers, standing in an office or tech workspace with a laptop, shelves with equipment, and a chair.

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:

A table comparing aspects with the number of reviews and ratios, including Features, Playing Interest, Usage, and Understanding.

  • 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.

Final VR Design Document
A man wearing a virtual reality headset holding a white VR controller, standing next to a laptop displaying a space-themed virtual environment.
A space scene featuring a black planet, with colorful rings and a bright star, against a background of purple and blue cosmic dust and stars. The text reads "Cosmic Odyssey" and "Space Learning."

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.