Kredsløb Sorting Game

Interactive educational game project

Goal

To create an interactive software for a projecting table, using the unity game engine and CG models developed in Maya.

Problem

Learning to work with a novel hardware setup in the form of a projecting table. Finding an interesting use case utilizing the unique aspects of the hardware, and learning the proprietary development software.

Solution

A small educational game teaching the danish waste sorting system following the established guidelines of Kredsløb, who are responisible for energy and resycling in Aarhus municipality.

Hardware platform

Development tool in Unity

First functionality test

Final result main screen

Multiple players at once

Responsive novel controls

Project Context

This project was developed with the Aarhus university Center for Advanced Visual Interaction (CAVI). We were tasked with developing software for a system developed by the center. The system in question is a projection table which combines two screens, with 3d projection technology. One screen is built into the tabletop and allows for interaction through touch and geometric blocks that can be slid along the surface.

We based our idea around the Danish standards for sorting recyclables, creating a game that teaches players to sort correctly. The intent for the game was to exist as a temporary installation at museums or libraries making use of the table’s accessibility where players can come and go as they please.

Phase 1
Brainstorm
The initial challenge when designing for the hardware was to found an idea that fully utilized all aspects of the table. The team held multiple brainstorms before coming up with the final idea. Many interesting ideas would end up not utilizing a screen or the 3d projection. And even the final concept only used one of the screens as a scoreboard.
Development
The team consisted of two programmers and three CG artists. This phase presented two challenges. Firstly that we had to learn the development tool on the fly, and secondly that all development was done in a simulated environment away from the actual hardware.

My role during this phase was programmer. It was my responsibility to collect the code and assets in the final build, as well as conducting tests on the hardware when available.

Phase 2
Phase 3
Implementation & Test
The final phase consisted on fine tuning the software, taking care of bugs and applying polish. We added sound effects for feedback, music, and a small tutorial when to teach players how to interact with the table.