Inspiration
As an active member of the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell, I have personally seen the effects of cyberattacks such as phishing, viruses, and social media threats. These attacks can be harmful, and I want to protect children from future threats by teaching them how to protect themselves in a fun, interactive way.
What it does
GATEWAY is an engaging game that allows children to learn about cybersecurity. The player works as an airport officer who scans every character's belongings. A character may have incorrect, mismatched information and even dangerous objects! The player must double-check everything, ensure the information is accurate, and keep hackers out of the rocket ship. It teaches players to check everything before trusting unquestioningly and to look closely (everyday cybersecurity).
How I built it
Using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, I brought GATEWAY to life! I used HTML to build the web page's base and skeleton. Using CSS, I added color to the web page, making it look like an actual game. Lastly, JavaScript was used to create the game logic, the real bread and butter!
Challenges I ran into
Throughout the coding process, I ran into many visual issues, such as oddly scaled boxes, cut-off information, and glitching tools. However, I overcame these problems through trial and error.
Accomplishments that I'm proud of
One aspect of the game I am especially proud of is the stamp animation. The animation and sound effect are really cute. Another thing I'm really proud of is the character designs, which I designed individually. I am also proud of the game logic I coded and figured out.
What I learned
I learned more about JavaScript and more complex syntax with the help of AI. It's intriguing to see the language's length and power. One specific thing I learned is that ".querySelector" is a shortcut that finds HTML elements so JavaScript can use CSS.
What's next for GATEWAY
Because cybersecurity is a topic I am passionate about, I plan to create a part two of this game, where the characters land on this foreign planet. I also want to promote it more widely so everyone can better protect themselves in this rapidly advancing technological world.
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