spacehunters_demo.mp4

by Jonathan and Jingjing

Instructor: Andy Garcia

Introduction

Concept

In today’s fast-paced digital age, human communication is often reduced to fragmented texts, fleeting messages, and isolated screens. While technology connects us globally, it has also created barriers to deep, meaningful interactions. Misunderstandings and a lack of true connection have become common in an era where cooperation and empathy are more vital than ever.

This project aims to address these challenges by creating an interactive platform that emphasizes the importance of effective communication. By requiring participants to rely on their ability to listen, articulate, and interpret information, it mirrors the dynamics of real-world relationships and collaboration. It fosters an awareness of the complexities and nuances involved in human connection, encouraging individuals to overcome differences and work towards shared goals.

Through its unique structure, the project underscores the significance of cooperation in solving modern challenges. It serves as a reflection of contemporary society’s need for renewed focus on understanding and mutual support, reminding us of the timeless value of human connection amidst an increasingly isolated digital landscape.

Research

inspiration:

It Takes Two

A 2021 cooperative action-adventure game developed by Hazelight Studios.

This game allows the players to move their perspectives individually and use different weapons to collaborate. While it does stress communication, since players are able to see from the other's screen and adjust their own view, verbal communication might not be well practiced.

Verbal Communication:

Understanding the Power of Words

(Dawn O. Braithwaite, 2017)

"Effective verbal communication is essential in many contexts, including personal relationships, social interactions, and professional settings. In personal relationships, it can help build trust, foster intimacy, and resolve conflicts. Lack of communication can lead to serious problems, including conflicts and the breakdown of relationships. "

Game Background & Mechanism

Background Story:

The Earth is under siege. A highly advanced alien race has launched an invasion, deploying their invisible technology to create barriers and obstacles that humans cannot see or detect. Humanity’s survival rests on the shoulders of two brave pilots and their groundbreaking device: The Soothsayer. This revolutionary invention can detect alien technology, but its capabilities are split between two users to ensure maximum efficiency.

As part of this elite two-person team, you and your partner must work in perfect harmony to thwart the alien forces. With your unique roles and limited resources, success depends on communication, coordination, and precision. You are the last line of defense, and the fate of Earth lies in your hands.

Gameplay Dynamics:

Teamwork Is Key: Success depends entirely on real-time communication between players. Player A must provide precise targeting information to Player B, while Player B must guide Player A through obstacles unseen by them.
Resource Management: Both stamina and missiles are limited. Player A must collect energy pods to maintain stamina, while Player B must carefully manage missile reserves and reload strategically.
High Stakes: The alien forces adapt to your strategies, deploying more advanced invisible barriers and stronger enemies as you progress. Both players must stay in sync to counter these evolving challenges.

Victory Conditions:

Destroy the alien mothership in a climactic final battle by working together to navigate its labyrinth of obstacles and defeat its heavily armored defenses.
Survive waves of alien attacks while maintaining your stamina and ammunition levels.

Game Mechanics:

Player A (The Pilot):
- Abilities:
  - Controls the aircraft, maneuvering it to avoid alien traps and invisible walls.
  - Replenishes stamina for both players by collecting energy pods scattered across the battlefield.
  - Has full visibility of enemy locations but cannot see obstacles created by the aliens.
- Primary Role:
  - Act as the team’s eyes for combat, aiming missiles by guiding Player B and steering clear of danger with Player B's guidance.
Player B (The Gunner):
- Abilities:
  - Launches missiles to destroy alien forces and clears their barriers.
  - Refills missile ammunition to maintain firepower.
  - Detects obstacles that are invisible to Player A, such as alien traps and barriers.
- Primary Role:
  - Act as the team’s eyes for navigation, guiding Player A through dangerous areas while accurately targeting threats based on Player A's aim.

Gameplay Dynamics:

Teamwork Is Key: Success depends entirely on real-time communication between players. Player A must provide precise targeting information to Player B, while Player B must guide Player A through obstacles unseen by them.
Resource Management: Both stamina and missiles are limited. Player A must collect energy pods to maintain stamina, while Player B must carefully manage missile reserves and reload strategically.
High Stakes: The alien forces adapt to your strategies, deploying more advanced invisible barriers and stronger enemies as you progress. Both players must stay in sync to counter these evolving challenges.

Victory Conditions:

Destroy the alien mothership in a climactic final battle by working together to navigate its labyrinth of obstacles and defeat its heavily armored defenses.
Survive waves of alien attacks while maintaining your stamina and ammunition levels.

Manufacturing

3D Printing

3D printing is one of the major ways of the fabrication for our project. It helps us to produce delicate 3D shapes with complex structures.

Things done with 3D printing:

Steering Wheel
Arcade
Joystick
Circuit case
bottle
pedal switch

Arcade

Has slots for insertion of modules

Joystick

Limits the direction to y-axis of the originating joystick

Pedal Switch

Adding a spring to simulate switching feet feelings

Laser Cut

Laser cut is a very fast , efficient and accurate way for us to cut out materials with designed sizes.

Things done with laser cut:

cupholder
base
steering wheel shell

Actuator:

Neopixel Belt

Hardware:

Screen*2

Circuit

Sensors

Joystick
Rotary Encoder
Tilt Sensor

Label the cables

It is always important to label the cables as the circuit can easily fall apart and cables are tangled together. If it is the last minute, then the main part of the cables may have already been taped together. Labeling helps to differentiate the cables without peeling the tapes off.

Collaboration and Job Division

Jingjing

Code:

Movement Logic
Stamina Logic
OOP Enemy's Logic
Arduino Code

Manufacturing:

3D Printing and design
Circuit building and organizing
Photo & Video

Jonathan

Code:

Game main logics
Videos Loop Logics
Screen Split
Player and obstacles' Logics
Collision detection

Manufacturing:

Laser cut

Versions and Upgrades

user test.mov

Version 1.0

This version is a testing version without any decorations. It only contains basic electronic components like the sensors and a minimum program to run the game.During the user testing, it seems that people enjoy this game mechanism a lot.

However, testing users thought that we could improve by:

Add more actuators and sensors.
GIve instructions inside the game program.
Add a Restart loop so that we dont have to drag the windows to the screens every time after one end.

Version 2.0

This version is made for the project presentation. It is nearly done with all components ready.

Compare to v1.0, we upgraded:

The decorations and hardwares
Turn the sensors into interactive tools that are more consistent with the game concept.
Background music and art.

The problems remaining:

Tutorial session after playing the video cannot be loaded properly.

Version 3.0 (Ultimate Version)

This version is used in the IMA Show and opened to the public. It's an integrated console with complete hardware and software.

Compare to v2.0, we upgraded:

A base to hold all the hardwares and an arcade game shell to create a more immersive experience.
Instructions and tutorial at the beginning of the game.
Restart at the end of each game.
Use OOP in program to better organize the code.

We could still improve in:

Engaging more whole-body physical interactions.
Make the hardwares more robust.

Reflections

What we did well...

In-time communication and open to different voices.
Use hollow infill for a big shape in 3D Printing to reduce weight, time consumption and material waste.
Learn from Last Project:
- - Do a test version with only basic functional program and electronic components only.
  - Wrap the cables in the last minute.
  - Always test the hardware before connect into the circuit.
  - Write comments for codes.

What could be improved...

Better time arrangement and plan deadline for each stage.
Save every working version of code even some of the functions do not work.
Communicate with each other when coding so that we do not need to spend long time for reading the other's code.
Measure the length of edges precisely to avoid reprint during 3D printing.