Inspiration
The heart of MakiWars beats for the unique biodiversity of Madagascar. We were inspired by the tragic beauty of our disappearing forests and the legendary resilience of the Maki Catta (Ring-tailed lemur). We wanted to move beyond simple data and statistics about deforestation, creating a "Malagasy Fantasy" world where players don't just read about conservation—ils la vivent. By turning landmarks like the Tsingy de Bemaraha and the Baobab Alleys into battlegrounds for survival, we aim to instill a sense of cultural pride and environmental urgency.
What it does
MakiWars is an interactive narrative and action game that follows Koto, a clumsy but brave lemur. After the "Fossa-Garous" (mystical shadows of the Fossa) steal the Seeds of Life, Madagascar is plunged into a supernatural winter. Players must guide Koto through various regions of the island, solving environmental puzzles, answering educational quizzes about local flora and fauna, and using a rosewood staff to defeat shadows. It’s a journey from the sharp limestone needles of the North to the high peaks of the South, all to restore the island's natural balance.
How we built it
The project was developed using a modern web-based stack optimized for performance. We used the Maki framework, an Object-Oriented JavaScript engine, to manage the game’s various "Scenes" (Story, Quiz, and Action).
Visuals: We created a custom rendering system that uses organic color palettes—deep forest greens and earthy ochres—to mimic the Malagasy landscape.
Logic: The narrative engine was built to handle dynamic text paging, ensuring the story remains the central focus.
Physics: We implemented custom movement logic to handle Koto’s jumping and combat animations, ensuring the gameplay feels fluid despite being browser-based.
Challenges we ran into
One of our biggest hurdles was balancing education with entertainment. We didn't want the "Quiz" sections to feel like a school test, so we had to integrate them into the narrative flow as "ancient trials." Technically, managing hitbox precision for the combat was difficult. Ensuring that Koto’s staff correctly collided with the Fossa-Garous required constant fine-tuning of the spatial coordinates and timing to ensure the game felt fair to the player.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
We are incredibly proud of the Narrative Atmosphere. Even with simple 2D shapes and textures, we managed to evoke the feeling of a Malagasy night. Successfully implementing a system that transitions seamlessly from a story-driven dialogue to a high-stakes quiz, and finally to an action scene, was a major technical milestone for us. Seeing "Koto" come to life as a symbol for our island’s protection is a huge win.
What we learned
This project taught us the importance of Modular Code. By separating the story data from the rendering logic, we learned how to make a game that is easily expandable. On a personal level, we deepened our knowledge of Malagasy folklore and environmental science, realizing that game development is a powerful tool for social and ecological advocacy.
What's next for MakiWars
The journey is just beginning! Our future plans include:
.New Levels: Adding the "Rainforests of Atsinanana" and "Isalo National Park."
.RPG Elements: A skill tree where Koto can learn new abilities based on the seeds he recovers.
.Local Language: Full translation into Malagasy to make the game accessible to children across the entire island.
.Soundtrack: Integrating traditional Valiha and Sodina music to make the immersion complete.
Log in or sign up for Devpost to join the conversation.