National Photographic
Adventure game for raising awareness of wildlife
National Photographic
Adventure game for raising awareness of wildlife
Project type: RPG Game Design
Role: Game Designer
Industry: Environment, Education
Duration: January 2024 - June 2024
Project type: RPG Game Design
Role: Game Designer
Industry: Environment, Education
Duration: January 2024 - June 2024
The Problem: Lack of awareness
of habitat destruction
Nowadays, the primary causes of species endangerment and extinction are overharvesting, introduction of nonnative species, and habitat destruction. Tens of thousands of species are driven to extinction every year and global biological diversity is heavily impacted as a result.
The Problem: Lack of awareness
of habitat destruction
Nowadays, the primary causes of species endangerment and extinction are overharvesting, introduction of nonnative species, and habitat destruction. Tens of thousands of species are driven to extinction every year and global biological diversity is heavily impacted as a result.
~ 30,000 species per year are being driven to extinction
~ 80% of the decline in global biological diversity is caused by habitat destruction
~ 30,000 species per year are being driven to extinction
~ 80% of the decline in global biological diversity is caused by habitat destruction
The Solution: A fun educational game to learn about animal habitats
National Photographic is a game that educates players about wildlife and ecosystems while raising awareness of habitat conservation. Players become wildlife photographers exploring various biomes, learning about the species' habits, and their conservation needs through interactive tasks. The game highlights the challenges facing biodiversity, such as species endangerment due to overharvesting, invasive species, and habitat destruction. By comparing real and expected conditions of ecosystems from home, players develop empathy for the environment.
The Solution: A fun educational game to learn about animal habitats
National Photographic is a game that educates players about wildlife and ecosystems while raising awareness of habitat conservation. Players become wildlife photographers exploring various biomes, learning about the species' habits, and their conservation needs through interactive tasks. The game highlights the challenges facing biodiversity, such as species endangerment due to overharvesting, invasive species, and habitat destruction. By comparing real and expected conditions of ecosystems from home, players develop empathy for the environment.
The Solution: A fun educational game to learn about animal habitats
National Photographic is a game that educates players about wildlife and ecosystems while raising awareness of habitat conservation. Players become wildlife photographers exploring various biomes, learning about the species' habits, and their conservation needs through interactive tasks. The game highlights the challenges facing biodiversity, such as species endangerment due to overharvesting, invasive species, and habitat destruction. By comparing real and expected conditions of ecosystems from home, players develop empathy for the environment.
National Photographic sell sheet
Back to the design process
Why do we need a game to solve this problem:
Educational Benefits of Social Good Games
Back to the design process
Why do we need a game to solve this problem:
Educational Benefits of Social Good Games
Game are chosen as a means to raise awareness about wildlife and habitats due to their capacity to offer viewers a deeply immersive experience. Social good games, in particular, excel in providing players with opportunities to perceive the world from diverse perspectives. By stepping into the shoes of characters confronting various challenges, players cultivate empathy and a heightened understanding of others' experiences. Engaging with such challenges fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills, honing players' abilities to strategize and navigate through intricate situations.
Game are chosen as a means to raise awareness about wildlife and habitats due to their capacity to offer viewers a deeply immersive experience. Social good games, in particular, excel in providing players with opportunities to perceive the world from diverse perspectives. By stepping into the shoes of characters confronting various challenges, players cultivate empathy and a heightened understanding of others' experiences. Engaging with such challenges fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills, honing players' abilities to strategize and navigate through intricate situations.
Where is our inspiration come from? And why?
Where is our inspiration come from? And why?
Story Inspiration: The game's concept draws inspiration from National Geographic, leveraging people's love for beautiful imagery and collectibles within games.
Game Category and Mechanics: Inspired by Pokémon Go, Animal Crossing, and Alba, we aim to create a relaxed and charming game. This approach makes the game easy to understand and immersive, allowing players to gradually learn and engage with the content.
Story Inspiration: The game's concept draws inspiration from National Geographic, leveraging people's love for beautiful imagery and collectibles within games.
Game Category and Mechanics: Inspired by Pokémon Go, Animal Crossing, and Alba, we aim to create a relaxed and charming game. This approach makes the game easy to understand and immersive, allowing players to gradually learn and engage with the content.
Story & World setting:
Embark on an adventure as a photographer exploring diverse habitats.
Story & World setting:
Embark on an adventure as a photographer exploring diverse habitats.
In "National Photographic," players take on the role of wildlife photojournalists, documenting species and promoting conservation. The game begins as players arrive at their first "island," a condensed version of a large real-world habitat. Each biome includes a main village where players meet their director, collect a species catalog, a map, and photography tasks. As they explore and interact with NPCs to learn about local wildlife and environments, players complete tasks to earn coins for in-game purchases. After documenting all species in a biome, players submit their photobook and move to the next island, eager to encounter new species and challenges.
In "National Photographic," players take on the role of wildlife photojournalists, documenting species and promoting conservation. The game begins as players arrive at their first "island," a condensed version of a large real-world habitat. Each biome includes a main village where players meet their director, collect a species catalog, a map, and photography tasks. As they explore and interact with NPCs to learn about local wildlife and environments, players complete tasks to earn coins for in-game purchases. After documenting all species in a biome, players submit their photobook and move to the next island, eager to encounter new species and challenges.
The game features a series of islands, each representing a different biome with unique ecosystems and wildlife. These islands simulate real-world locations, providing educational gameplay that highlights the diversity of our world and raises awareness of environmental issues like habitat destruction and climate change. Players actively engage with each environment, facing challenges tailored to each unique setting.
The game features a series of islands, each representing a different biome with unique ecosystems and wildlife. These islands simulate real-world locations, providing educational gameplay that highlights the diversity of our world and raises awareness of environmental issues like habitat destruction and climate change. Players actively engage with each environment, facing challenges tailored to each unique setting.
Core Game Loop & Golden Path
Core Game Loop
&
Golden Path
The core game loop of National Photographic, players are tasked with photographing all animals in a biome. Upon arrival, players receive a map, a task list, and a photobook from the director, outlining the animals to be photographed. Starting from the main village, players explore the biome, using their camera to take photos. Successful photos yield coins, with the amount depending on the animal's difficulty level. The photobook provides details on each animal's traits and endangerment status. Players can also complete optional tasks for extra coins. They can visit the village store to upgrade cameras for challenging conditions like nighttime or underwater photography. Expert villagers offer hints for finding rare animals. The loop ends once all animals are documented in the photobook.
The core game loop of National Photographic, players are tasked with photographing all animals in a biome. Upon arrival, players receive a map, a task list, and a photobook from the director, outlining the animals to be photographed. Starting from the main village, players explore the biome, using their camera to take photos. Successful photos yield coins, with the amount depending on the animal's difficulty level. The photobook provides details on each animal's traits and endangerment status. Players can also complete optional tasks for extra coins. They can visit the village store to upgrade cameras for challenging conditions like nighttime or underwater photography. Expert villagers offer hints for finding rare animals. The loop ends once all animals are documented in the photobook.
The Golden Path in "National Photographic" involves completing the photobook for each biome. The journey begins with a flight to the first biome and a tutorial on wildlife photography in an easy, temperate forest biome. Players learn to track and document all animals, with optional conservation tasks that enhance their engagement. As players master photography and document each biome’s species, they face increasing challenges and complex photography situations. After completing a biome, players are transported to the next, with each new biome introducing unique species and conservation challenges. The game continuously engages players by improving their photography skills and inspiring conservation efforts.
The Golden Path in "National Photographic" involves completing the photobook for each biome. The journey begins with a flight to the first biome and a tutorial on wildlife photography in an easy, temperate forest biome. Players learn to track and document all animals, with optional conservation tasks that enhance their engagement. As players master photography and document each biome’s species, they face increasing challenges and complex photography situations. After completing a biome, players are transported to the next, with each new biome introducing unique species and conservation challenges. The game continuously engages players by improving their photography skills and inspiring conservation efforts.
Demo Video
Demo Video
Takeaways & Reflections
Takeaways & Reflections
This is my first time designed a game, offering me a comprehensive learning experience. I gained insights into the essentials of game design, including understanding the core functions and potential impacts of games. I explored game design principles and UI production, learning to approach problems more broadly and develop digital solutions creatively. Additionally, I discovered the concept of social good games and their capacity to influence societal attitudes and behaviors. This project not only broadened my design expertise but also deepened my awareness of environmental issues like habitat destruction.
This is my first time designed a game, offering me a comprehensive learning experience. I gained insights into the essentials of game design, including understanding the core functions and potential impacts of games. I explored game design principles and UI production, learning to approach problems more broadly and develop digital solutions creatively. Additionally, I discovered the concept of social good games and their capacity to influence societal attitudes and behaviors. This project not only broadened my design expertise but also deepened my awareness of environmental issues like habitat destruction.
