OCEAN IV - Plastic Overload

Metamorphose the Ocean from Plastic A game focused on bringing awareness to marine plastic pollution through puzzling mazes and exhilarating combat.

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Inspiration

The inspiration for OCEAN IV - Plastic Overload came from our growing concern for the state of our oceans. We were particularly moved by the staggering amount of plastic pollution—5.25 trillion pieces by 2024—and its devastating impact on marine life, with millions of animals dying annually. This crisis compelled us to create a game that could raise awareness and encourage people to take action. We wanted to leverage our passion for game development to build something that could make a real difference, blending entertainment with a powerful environmental message.

What It Does

OCEAN IV - Plastic Overload is a 2D game where players take on the role of a submarine captain tasked with cleaning the ocean of plastic waste. The game offers players choices in how they interact with polluters—either through peaceful negotiation or more aggressive actions—each decision impacting the outcome of the game. The goal is to educate players about the consequences of plastic pollution and to inspire them to think critically about how they can contribute to solving this global issue.

How We Built It

We built OCEAN IV - Plastic Overload using Unity 2022.3.29f1, a powerful game development engine well-suited for creating 2D games. Our team started by brainstorming the core mechanics and narrative, designing the submarine, ocean environments, and polluters using Adobe Photoshop, paint.- We used Canva to design the game's logo, leveraging its intuitive interface and vast array of design elements to create a visually appealing and memorable logo that captures the essence of OCEAN IV - Plastic Overload. To create the video intro, we utilized Panzoid, selecting a dynamic template and customizing it with our own text and imagery to effectively set the tone for the game.The video intro was then edited in Filmora, where we fine-tuned the visuals, and ensured the final cut was polished and aligned with the game's aesthetic. The game's interactive dialogue system, which allows players to choose their approach to dealing with polluters, was implemented using Unity's UI tools and C# scripting. We iterated on the game multiple times, refining the gameplay and educational content to ensure both were engaging and effective.

Challenges We Ran Into

One of the major challenges we faced was balancing the educational content with the gameplay. We wanted the game to be informative without feeling like a lecture, so we worked hard to create dialogue and interactions that were both engaging and meaningful. Another challenge was developing the branching narrative system, which required careful scripting to ensure that player choices led to different, impactful outcomes. Additionally, Producing Sound audio and optimizing the game for performance across multiple platforms was difficult, requiring extensive testing and code optimization to ensure smooth gameplay.

Accomplishments That We're Proud Of

We’re particularly proud of how OCEAN IV - Plastic Overload manages to blend education with entertainment. The game not only provides a fun and engaging experience but also raises awareness about a critical environmental issue. We’re also proud of the branching narrative system that offers players meaningful choices, making each playthrough unique. Successfully optimizing the game for multiple platforms and achieving a smooth gameplay experience was another significant accomplishment.

What We Learned

Throughout the development of OCEAN IV - Plastic Overload, we learned a lot about the technical aspects of game development, particularly in using Unity’s 2D tools and creating interactive dialogue systems. We also gained a deeper understanding of how to integrate educational content into a game without sacrificing entertainment value. On a personal level, this project deepened our awareness of environmental issues and reinforced our belief in the power of games as a medium for education and change.

What's Next for OCEAN IV - Plastic Overload

Looking forward, we plan to expand OCEAN IV - Plastic Overload with additional levels, different game modes, and new scenarios that further explore the impact of human activities on the ocean. We also aim to introduce new features like multiplayer modes and more complex branching narratives to enhance the gameplay experience. Moreover, we’re exploring partnerships with environmental organizations to use the game as a tool for education and advocacy, reaching a broader audience and making a greater impact.

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