Riley Wood

Learning Goals

• Learn the stages of simulation/game development in a professional context by participating in the research, design, programming, and testing of simulations in order to improve my development skills over the course of the summer.

• Gain an understanding of advanced C# programming techniques through development of a simulation to improve my computer science knowledge base and prepare me for the coming computer science curriculum next semester.

• Gain experience working on a team of developers, combining code and design with them in an efficient and productive manner as teamwork is essential to all future development. Meet regularly with teammates as a way to analyse development.

Accomplishments

• Designed the gameplay experience for a six-scene educational simulation

• Developed simulation using Unity and Google Cardboard

• Programmed interaction between a user-controlled manatee and other objects

• Added score mechanics and streamlined linear progression

• Developed a simple AI to control another manatee that the player can interact with

• Created and implemented underwater environment effects

• Tested and updated the simulation based on user feedback

• Integrated own work with other programmers and artists

Manatee Feeding

Manatees feed primarily on sea grass, and the simulation enables players to experience this feeding process for themself. Players read informational signs describing manatee feeding behavior and can then direct Skitles the manatee to eat sea grass which increases their score.

Manatee Respiration

Manatees are aquatic mammals which need to surface in order to breathe. The simulation demonstrates how manatees must surface regularly by incentivizing the player to send their manatee to the surface every couple of minutes during the simulation.

Manatee Social Behavior

Manatees are highly social creatures, which was something we wanted to highlight in the simulation. Players learn about the social tendencies of manatees and can send Skitles to interact with their friend Twinx, which prompts a sequence of underwater motions and smiley-faces.

Gameplay Video

This video shows the entire gameplay sequence of the simulation

It was recorded on a computer rather than the Google Cardboard headset