Inspiration
Our journey began with the keynote speaker on the first day, who shared his experience at SpaceX and discussed the challenge of reusing rockets to prevent them from being discarded into the Pacific Ocean. Initially, we set out to create a game, but as we brainstormed, we were inspired to tackle a real-world issue: space debris. This realization gave our project both purpose and direction, leading to the creation of Cosmic Cleaners.
What it does
Cosmic Cleaners puts players in control of a spaceship tasked with navigating space and removing hazardous space debris. By clearing debris, players help prevent collisions, protect satellites, and contribute to keeping Earth's orbit clean.
How we built it
We used GameMaker as our foundation, starting with a template and then adding custom features through coding. We also designed and hand-drew our own sprites, integrating them seamlessly into the game.
Challenges we ran into
One of the biggest hurdles was a mouse input issue, where clicking wasn’t triggering the intended actions. We collaborated with experts and ultimately redesigned our sprite system to fix the problem. Another challenge was finding the right problem to address. We spent a significant amount of time ideating before locking in our concept, but once we did, everything started to come together.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
Successfully building a fully functional, interactive game from scratch. Designing custom sprites that enhanced the overall visual appeal. Overcoming technical challenges and learning new problem-solving strategies.
What we learned
Through this project, we gained hands-on experience in: Game development using GameMaker Problem-solving and debugging complex issues Collaboration with mentors and teammates Applying real-world issues to game design
What's next for Cosmic Cleaners
We plan to expand the game with: Multiple levels, each tackling a different pollution problem beyond Earth’s orbit. Enhanced gameplay mechanics for a more engaging experience. Multiplayer functionality, allowing players to compete in space cleanup challenges.
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