Trashcan Dream

trashcan dream poster
intro video
gameplay

Inspiration

Our inspiration came from New York City trashcans. They are everywhere on the streets, yet always overlooked. Every day, they are filled and surrounded by trash produced by humans. What if a trashcan dreams of escaping all the garbage and going to a clean, beautiful place? This question sparked the idea for our game: a creative, fun, and educational experience that brings attention to overlooked objects and inspires players to think about waste and the environments around them.

What it does

Trashcan Dream is a 3D web game built with Google Photorealistic 3D Maps. In this game, players take on the role of a New York City trashcan who dreams of escaping the dirty streets and going to Coney Island. With the help of balloons, the trashcan floats through the air, traveling to different locations and overcoming challenges to finally reach its destination. Along the journey, players will learn about trash pollution, waste management issues, and how composting and recycling can address these problems.

How we built it

We utilized Photorealistic 3D Maps to allow players to explore New York City from above.
Polylines guide players seamlessly to their next destination, while extruded polygons and markers emphasize key locations.
Custom 3D models bring the trashcan and other elements to life, enriching the narrative.
We conducted research on New York's waste management challenges and the NYC Compost Project, integrating quizzes to engage players and promote learning.
We also created an introductory video and an emotional ending to tie the story together.

Challenges we ran into

We learned about this hackathon quite late so there's only less than one week for us to build this experience. Also, this is our first time using Google Maps Platforms so there was a lot to learn in a short period of time. Some challenges we ran into during development included we couldn't change the shading of the 3D models, the map sometimes zooms out when users are clicking the page, etc. But after all, we are very happy with what we made.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We’re incredibly proud of turning our initial concept into a working game! By using Google Photorealistic 3D Maps in a creative and meaningful way, we successfully built an interactive experience that addresses trash and waste management issues, topics we deeply care about. Our project not only highlights an important urban challenge but also demonstrates the potential of combining storytelling with technology.

What we learned

This project was a fantastic learning experience. We learned how to use Google Photorealistic 3D Maps for game development and how to create compelling narratives through interactive media. Additionally, we explored the New York Compost Project in depth, which inspired us to participate in community composting initiatives in the future.

What's next for Trashcan Dream

We plan to expand the game by adding more locations and quizzes, as well as implementing a scoring system to enhance user engagement. Gathering feedback from players will also be a priority as we refine and improve the overall experience. Our vision is to make TrashCan Dream not just a game, but an impactful platform to promote sustainability and environmental awareness.