Coral bleaching puzzle game
Taiwan's diverse coral ecology is rare for subtropical regions but has faced significant damage in recent years. To address this, we chose coral bleaching as the focus of our graduation project to raise awareness and promote protection.
Coral bleaching puzzle game
Taiwan's diverse coral ecology is rare for subtropical regions but has faced significant damage in recent years. To address this, we chose coral bleaching as the focus of our graduation project to raise awareness and promote protection.
My role
Game Designer,
Illustrator, Film Director
Deliverable
Puzzle Design, Sketch, Illustration,
Usability Testing, Animation Storyboard
Duration
Sep 2018 ~ May 2019
Team member
4
Story of Game
Story of Game
A girl enters a parallel undersea world where mutated coral reefs are consuming the ocean. To find her way back to reality, she must navigate and explore the depths.
A girl enters a parallel undersea world where mutated coral reefs are consuming the ocean. To find her way back to reality, she must navigate and explore the depths.
Brief
Brief
Taiwan boasts a unique and diverse coral ecology, uncommon in most subtropical regions. However, in recent years, Taiwan's coral reefs have suffered significant damage. Recognizing the urgent need for their protection, we feel it is our responsibility to raise awareness about coral bleaching, making it the focus of our graduation project.
Taiwan boasts a unique and diverse coral ecology, uncommon in most subtropical regions. However, in recent years, Taiwan's coral reefs have suffered significant damage. Recognizing the urgent need for their protection, we feel it is our responsibility to raise awareness about coral bleaching, making it the focus of our graduation project.
Challenges
Challenges
457 surveys revealed that 80% of people did know “Coral Bleaching”, but didn’t know the cause of it. How might we solve the problem even if we don’t know the causes?
457 surveys revealed that 80% of people did know “Coral Bleaching”, but didn’t know the cause of it. How might we solve the problem even if we don’t know the causes?
81.0 %
81.0 %
People who take action for protecting environment
People who take action for protecting environment
78.3%
78.3%
People who know coral bleaching but don’t know the cause of it
People who know coral bleaching but don’t know the cause of it
UX Vision Statement
UX Vision Statement
We believe, there is an opportunity to design a product or service for Taiwanese individuals who recognise coral bleaching but lack understanding of its causes, that increase their awareness so that we can empowering them to actionable steps for coral reef conservation and restore marine ecosystems.
We believe, there is an opportunity to design a product or service for Taiwanese individuals who recognise coral bleaching but lack understanding of its causes, that increase their awareness so that we can empowering them to actionable steps for coral reef conservation and restore marine ecosystems.
Secondary Research
25 to 40 age group
Target Users
1
Internet Usage Rate
In 2018, 98.7 % of the target audience used the internet.
2
Family Education
This age group is the stage of building a family or having a family. Family education is very important for children, sharing environmental knowledge with children from an early age can subtly influence their understanding of environmental conservation.
Secondary Research
25 to 40 age group
Target Users
1
Internet Usage Rate
In 2018, 98.7 % of the target audience used the internet.
2
Family Education
This age group is the stage of building a family or having a family. Family education is very important for children, sharing environmental knowledge with children from an early age can subtly influence their understanding of environmental conservation.
Secondary Research
25 to 40 age group
Target Users
1
Internet Usage Rate
In 2018, 98.7 % of the target audience used the internet.
2
Family Education
This age group is the stage of building a family or having a family. Family education is very important for children, sharing environmental knowledge with children from an early age can subtly influence their understanding of environmental conservation.
Design Concept
Design Concept
Accessibility
Knowledge
Entertainment
By the accessibility of the internet and mobile, and the usage habits of internet. Our design is aimed to use the mobile game as a medium to help people be aware of coral bleaching.
By the accessibility of the internet and mobile, and the usage habits of internet. Our design is aimed to use the mobile game as a medium to help people be aware of coral bleaching.
Why mobile game
Why mobile game
Accessibility
Accessibility
Broadband Coverage
Broadband Coverage
Taiwan
Taiwan
82.1%
82.1%
Device
Device
Mobile
Mobile
96.8
96.8
Laptop / Computer
Laptop / Computer
66.4
66.4
Internet usage among individuals over 12 has reached 82%, or around 17.38 million people, with an average daily online time of 4.3 hours. Mobile phones are the most popular device (96.8%), followed by desktops or laptops (66.4%).
Internet usage among individuals over 12 has reached 82%, or around 17.38 million people, with an average daily online time of 4.3 hours. Mobile phones are the most popular device (96.8%), followed by desktops or laptops (66.4%).
Knowledge & Entertainment
Knowledge & Entertainment
Game-based learning for target user and their children
Game-based learning for target user and their children
Over 40% of people in each of the three age groups (target user) participate in gaming, with one group approaching 50%, and the average weekly gaming time is 11 hours.
Over 40% of people in each of the three age groups (target user) participate in gaming, with one group approaching 50%, and the average weekly gaming time is 11 hours.
Gaming rate
Gaming rate
49.1%
49.1%
25-29
25-29
y.o.
42.8%
42.8%
30-34
30-34
y.o.
45.21%
45.21%
35-39
35-39
y.o.
Mobile phones are the most popular gaming device, used by 89.8% of gamers. (Taiwan Communication Survey, 2018)
Mobile phones are the most popular gaming device, used by 89.8% of gamers. (Taiwan Communication Survey, 2018)
Device for game
Device for game
89.8%
89.8%
Phone
33.8%
33.8%
Computer
12.1%
12.1%
Tablet
2.2%
2.2%
Game Console
Benefits of Video Games For Kids & Adults
Benefits of Video Games For Kids & Adults
Improve literacy and creativity
Improve literacy and creativity
young players engaging in related reading and writing activities, such as in-game messaging and fan fiction, which helps reluctant readers feel more involved in storytelling (APA; National Literacy Trust)
young players engaging in related reading and writing activities, such as in-game messaging and fan fiction, which helps reluctant readers feel more involved in storytelling (APA; National Literacy Trust)
Boost mental abilities
Boost mental abilities
Like attention and spatial awareness, particularly in fast-paced or action games, which have been linked to increased cognitive flexibility and problem-solving skills in adults.
Like attention and spatial awareness, particularly in fast-paced or action games, which have been linked to increased cognitive flexibility and problem-solving skills in adults.
Support mental health
Support mental health
As studies find that they provide an outlet for stress relief and emotional regulation in both children and adults, particularly during challenging times like the COVID-19 lockdowns.
As studies find that they provide an outlet for stress relief and emotional regulation in both children and adults, particularly during challenging times like the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Better in cognitive tasks
Better in cognitive tasks
An National Institutes of Health study found that children who played video games for three or more hours daily showed stronger performance in memory and impulse control tasks compared to non-gamers.
An National Institutes of Health study found that children who played video games for three or more hours daily showed stronger performance in memory and impulse control tasks compared to non-gamers.
・Create illustrations using Clip Studio Paint
・Develop the game using Unity for coding
Technique
Story
The game combines narrative irony with the current event.
Nuclear Plant
Miramar Resort
Coral Poaching
Design Method
Game Mechanics
Easy to play, simply drag and click to pick up objects.
Aesthetics
Hand-painted brushstrokes depict oceanic ruins and coral textures, while piano and string music evoke the sorrow of coral destruction, enhancing game immersion.
・Create illustrations using Clip Studio Paint
・Develop the game using Unity for coding
Technique
Story
The game combines narrative irony with the current event.
Nuclear Plant
Miramar Resort
Coral Poaching
Design Method
Game Mechanics
Easy to play, simply drag and click to pick up objects.
Aesthetics
Hand-painted brushstrokes depict oceanic ruins and coral textures, while piano and string music evoke the sorrow of coral destruction, enhancing game immersion.
・Create illustrations using Clip Studio Paint
・Develop the game using Unity for coding
Technique
Story
The game combines narrative irony with the current event.
Nuclear Plant / Miramar Resort / Coral Poaching
Design Method
Game Mechanics
Easy to play, simply drag and click to pick up objects.
Aesthetics
Hand-painted brushstrokes depict oceanic ruins and coral textures, while piano and string music evoke the sorrow of coral destruction, enhancing game immersion.
Puzzle Design
Puzzle Design
(click to view fullscreen photo)
There are multiple causes of coral reef destruction.
It is normally caused by rising temperature, sedimentation, garbage ,and coral poaching, which we utilize for designing the game.
There are multiple causes of coral reef destruction.
It is normally caused by rising temperature, sedimentation, garbage ,and coral poaching, which we utilize for designing the game.
Opening
Nuclear
Plants
Resort
Poaching
Vessel
Ending
Temperature
Sedimentation
Garbage
Coral Poaching
Causes
Opening
Nuclear
Plants
Resort
Poaching
Vessel
Ending
Temperature
Sedimentation
Garbage
Coral Poaching
Causes
Nuclear Plants
Episode 1
Temperature
Large amounts of warm water used to be discharged by the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant, which caused the death of coral.
Resort
Episode 2
Sedimentation
Human settlement, agriculture, construction, and mining contribute to soil runoff into the sea. This sediment smothers coral reefs, blocking sunlight and nutrients, preventing fish from feeding, and stopping coral growth.
Poaching Vessel
Episode 3
Coral Poaching
The penalties for coral poaching can’t stop thefts effectively, without the coral ecosystem, the balance of the food chain may be devastated, and it become extremely vulnerable when the environment changes.
Nuclear Plants
Episode 1
Temperature
Large amounts of warm water used to be discharged by the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant, which caused the death of coral.
Resort
Episode 2
Sedimentation
Human settlement, agriculture, construction, and mining contribute to soil runoff into the sea. This sediment smothers coral reefs, blocking sunlight and nutrients, preventing fish from feeding, and stopping coral growth.
Poaching Vessel
Episode 3
Coral Poaching
The penalties for coral poaching can’t stop thefts effectively, without the coral ecosystem, the balance of the food chain may be devastated, and it become extremely vulnerable when the environment changes.
Nuclear Plants
Episode 1
Temperature
Large amounts of warm water used to be discharged by the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant, which caused the death of coral.
Resort
Episode 2
Sedimentation
Human settlement, agriculture, construction, and mining contribute to soil runoff into the sea. This sediment smothers coral reefs, blocking sunlight and nutrients, preventing fish from feeding, and stopping coral growth.
Poaching Vessel
Episode 3
Coral Poaching
The penalties for coral poaching can’t stop thefts effectively, without the coral ecosystem, the balance of the food chain may be devastated, and it become extremely vulnerable when the environment changes.
Sketch of Episode 2 - Resort
Sketch of Episode 2 - Resort
Game Flow
Game Flow
Usability Test and Iteration
Usability Test and Iteration
We recruited 13 individuals from a Taiwanese forum, all aged between 25 and 34, who are either parents or prospective parents.
Unclear Purpose of the Game
Unclear Purpose of the Game
Adding a note at the top of the screen at the beginning of every episode as a mission description. Visually, mottled notes and handwritten words correspond with the game's visual style.
Weak connection between puzzle and objects
Weak connection between puzzle and objects
To enhance the connection between the puzzle, we added the protagonist’s dialogue to guide the users to find appropriate objects, making the game run more smoothly.
