“Project NUW” is an intense simulation game-play experience designed to educate the player on the devastating effects of nuclear power-plant failures, through engaging mechanics and environmental story telling. The game also will promote adaptive thinking by forcing the player into new rooms/environments where they have to quickly make decisions - building or choosing different routes in order to escape.

Players begin within a collapsing nuclear power station, tremors have caused critical damage to the station and water is breaking its way into the station. The player will be provided with a fairly linear level design - where progression is always forwards (once you leave a room, there is no going back as previous rooms collapse and become inaccessible). Within the different levels, there will feature surround sound and dark visuals that contrast from the outside of the reactor - where the devastation will be highlighted. Sounds within the space will be carefully selected to mimic/ simulate a real nuclear reactor meltdown, further immersing the player and bringing a sense of reality closer to home, through the gaming experience.

Players are expected to be challenged, during their attempted escape, but most importantly take notice of the outside environment and recognise how nuclear stations can fatally damage their surrounding areas if there is a malfunction or accident. There will be moments within the experience, when the pacing of the game will slow down and the player can fully embrace and reflect on their surrounding environment. These areas will be “safe rooms” and indicated to give the player some time to catch their breath.

Research

My research was focused on parkour and movement mechanics. Initially, I explored parkour as a sport - recognising its differences from similar movement-centred sports, such as Free-running and Ninja Warrior. Since then, I have broadened my research into movement of not only humans, but animals also. This has given me a great base of mechanics to start with.

From my research into parkour, I wanted to take the game somewhere meaningful and important. A topic that I can relate to and feel passionate about. Additionally, I wanted my game to be engaging and have some learning within it (as during some additional research, I found that “learning” is the best form of fun). This is a challenge as it can be argued “parkour” exists within many different types of games. However, my goal was to keep parkour as pure, loyal to the sport and definition as possible whilst creating an interesting game with some challenge that results in personal growth. Personal growth will occur through learning routes, and adaptability to new layouts of rooms, which players have to find a way to navigate without any assitance.

Research Wix Website : https://tu1g20.wixsite.com/year3