High-Level Project Summary
Our project is about a game that is called Journey to Psyche : The Series, which consists of 5 levels. Thus, our team developed a simple mini game using Spark AR which is normally integrated for Facebook or Instagram filters. The idea was inspired by the Psyche mission's journey to a unique metal asteroid, led by the Arizona State University (ASU). Unfortunately, while it being the biggest project from NASA, this mission was not known by the world. This game teaches the players in a very entertaining and informative way, from building the spacecraft to landing it and the science and engineering behind which make it a successful project from NASA.
Link to Project "Demo"
Detailed Project Description
The Presentation Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgEoILXL0oQ
The Problem:
The Psyche mission's trip to a peculiar metal asteroid orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter is the inspiration for our project. What makes it fascinating is that Psyche is an exposed nickel-iron core of an early planet, which is one of our solar system's building blocks. Scientists have discovered the presence of metallic core deep below Earth's core, but it is inaccessibly far below, making it impossible to observe or quantify. Therefore, Psyche provides an unprecedented insight into the historical event of planet formation via collisions and accretion. Thus, it is considered as one of the biggest events in the NASA timeline that will happen in 2022.
Unfortunately, while it being the biggest project from NASA, this mission is not widely-known by the world. We face the problem where the community is lacking in knowledge and awareness about the significant aspects of space exploration. Hence, it is in our best interest to find a solution on how to help educate and expose to the people about the architectures and challenges of space exploration, specifically the exploration to the Psyche 16.
The Solution:
Psyche Journey: The Series is an augmented reality (AR) game integrated into a Facebook or Instagram filter, also known as the AR game filters.The game is created based on a real-life mission overview and challenges in exploring a new type of world. It comprises 5 episodes or series of different game filters that relate to the main phases of the Psyche space exploration journey.
Those 5 phases are:
1) Construct: Spacecraft Building
2) Launch: Liftoff!
3) Space Navigating: Avoid The Hits.
4) Landing: Eagle has landed.
5) Game Quiz: Quiz Me!
All together, they are grouped and released as a series of AR filter games. It will be organized in a single account with a standardized naming system so that it is easier for the player to navigate through the game subsequently. Players can have access by searching the name of the filter in Facebook or instagram filter search. From there, they will be directed to the admin profile page containing all of the game series. Then, the players will be able to play and gain basic knowledge on the challenges of those 4 phases which are, constructing, launching, navigating and landing.
Gameplay:
1) Construct: Spacecraft Building
This is a simple catch the object type of game suitable for players of all ages. Player have to tap on the screen to initiate the game, but be reminded not to tap the picture capture button. By turning your face to right or left, the trolley will catch the components or instruments used to build the Psyche spacecraft that is falling downward randomly. The main objective of this game is to introduce the players about the tools and parts needed to build the Psyche spacecraft. The images used in this game are represented in a 2D art style so that it is easier for the player to identify and distinguish the difference in architecture of each component. The instruments mentioned above are the solar arrays, Gamma ray and Neutron spectrometer, Multispectral Imager, Magnetometer, X-band radio telecommunications system, SPT-140 thrusters, Star Trackers, Cold Gas Thrusters and (DSOC) Deep Space Optical Communication. These components will have its name labeled above the image so that players can search it up later for further exploration. Aside from that, this particular game play will enhance the focus of the player and give exposure regarding the amazing construction of the Psyche spacecraft. The game's goal is to pique the player's interest in learning more about spacecraft engineering while having fun.
2) Launch: 3,2,1 Launch it
This level is quite simple for the players to play. The players just need to tap the screen. Tap to launch, then tap to release the rocket vehicle and lastly tap to release the xenon particles. In between of tapping, the gameplay will let the players know what is their next step provided with all the information on launching the Psyche. The objectives here are to give knowledge to the players on how the spacecraft launch, what are the steps involve and what makes it possible to move around space.
3) Space Navigating: Avoid The Hits.
The player needs to navigate and move the Psyche spacecraft using head tilt. The user needs to collect the blue Xenon to gain points and if the user hits the asteroids, then the game will be ended. The objectives here are to give a hindsight that the Psyche spacecraft depends on Xenon as a propellent and one of the obstacles and risks that Psyche spacecraft will faced during its journey is the collision with another asteroids or space debris that might ruin the spacecraft though there is actually only a very small possibility to it.
4) Landing: Eagle has landed.
The player is required to switch into the rear camera to experience the spacecraft that will land on Psyche in the future. The spacecraft will attach to a plane once it has detected the surrounding. The player can also experience taking a picture at this level as the remark of landing. With this, it benefits the player to keep it as a memorial in taking part in this filter.
5) Game Quiz: Quiz Me!
This game is a simple quiz game with a true or false option. Once the game has started, users will have to guess whether the statement carries a right or wrong answer. This game requires the user to tilt their head to answer the questions. Head tilt to the left means TRUE while head tilt to the right means FALSE. Game logic has been set in the quiz Once players have answered the questions there will be a small checkbox at the top side of every question. Players will have to go through 9 questions altogether before they complete the quiz. Quiz statements are all based on Psyche mission facts. The purpose of this game is to test the player's knowledge and at the same time gives new information regarding our recent NASA mission. It is advisable for players to prepare themselves with some space knowledge as scoring will be given at the end of the game. Failure to answer correctly three times in a row will be forced to leave the game. Game over. However, worry not. A game is a game, players can always have multiple go with a randomised set of questions.
Benefits:
The main benefit of our project is that it is easy to access. It can be accessed and played directly through Instagram or Facebook's story by anyone regardless of age. Not just that, through this project, we also make it possible to learn for everyone to learn through AR games and not the old school way of only books, books, and books. This project which based on the journey of the Psyche mission is also flexible, meaning this series can be added by numbers of new AR games from time to time especially if there is any new information on the Psyche Mission. This makes every facts can be shared and learned through games.
Hopes And Goals:
Our hope and goal would be that this AR filter game would be a new trend of learning and discovering knowledges especially for the younger generations. We would certainly like to see how limitless it can be when it comes to learning. Spreading the awareness and knowledges of the space to the whole community throughout this whole world might sound absurd but it is what we are really looking forward too.
Tools and softwares used:
- Spark AR Studio
The development of this game uses a software called Spark AR as it includes all of the features and capabilities we need, from simple templates and asset libraries to complex customizations and controls.
- Javascript
We used javascript to make our filters more diverse and interactive by adding a variety of logical effects into the filter. Aside from that, the Spark AR supports this programming language resulting for an easier integration between the software and the programming language
- Visual Studio
We utilized an editor like Visual Studio Code for programming as it can be set as default app for opening JavaScript files in Spark AR.
- Microsoft PowerPoint
We use Microsoft PowerPoint as a substitute for a simple editing and to remove background for the image used in the game.
- Canva
We make use of canva copyright free art illustration to put a sprinkle of professional artistic taste in our game interface.
Space Agency Data
We have used the following data to gather information which contributes to the succession of the game. Depending on the game, we have used different resources to absorb knowledge since different games have different missions users need to be accomplished.
1) Construct: Build your spacecraft
NASA news and information sites - Resources referred in this game focuses around the spacecraft material used to build Psyche spacecraft.Functions of those materials are taken note to find other alternatives material that can be used to substitute primary materials. We made sure we extract all the details regarding the design to make sure the accuracy are on point.Hence giving players a real life experience in a 2D virtual game.
- https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/psyche
- https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/basics/prime
2) Launch: 3,2,1 Liftoff!
NASA news and information sites - The resources for this level were constructed from these sites, which gives information on how the spacecraft are going to be launched and the science behind, for it to survive in deep space. Even though it is not directly mentioned in the game, we just want to give the idea of how a spacecraft moves around in space to the players.
- https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/psyche/in-depth/
- https://psyche.asu.edu/2018/01/19/electric-thrusters-psyche-spacecraft-work/
3) Space Navigating: Avoid The Rocks
These sites provide information on the challenges and risks that the Psyche Spacecraft might experience later on its journey in outer space. Although there are many risks to consider, due to the limited time of this challenge, we are only able to select and focus on 2 risks in our game prototype.
- https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/psyche/in-depth/
- https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/basics/primer/
4) Landing: Eagle has Landed
Both websites share in-depth information about the Psyche spacecraft, including the exact size and cost of the spacecraft. Besides, the detailed timeline of the Pysche journey. These help us to build our imagination toward the landing that will happen in the upcoming years.
- https://psyche.asu.edu/mission/the-spacecraft/
- https://psyche.asu.edu/timeline/
5) Game Quiz : Quiz Me!
NASA news and information sites - The information in these sources gives us a lot of input for our quiz fact check.From here we gather knowledge such as the characteristics and even the specialties of the metal rich asteroid. The duration from each planet was also noted as we made our way throughout the 9 set questions slot. Any facts regarding the psyche mission make a good foundation to create the true or false quiz statement.
Hackathon Journey
Our Space Apps experience has been fun but challenging at the same time. The workshops provided by the Space Apps have been very helpful in terms of what type of challenge is suitable for us to choose and what we need to do to complete the challenge. We were all grateful for the guidance that we get throughout the journey, it brings out the creativity in us and makes us think out of the box in order to complete the challenge.
Our idea is inspired by the Psyche mission's journey to a rare metal asteroid orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter. The fact that the Psyche is an exposed nickel-iron core of an early planet, which is one of our solar system's building elements, makes it all the more fascinating. Scientists have identified the presence of metallic core deep below Earth's core, but it is inaccessible far below, making observation and quantification difficult. As a result, Psyche offers a unique perspective on the historical event of planet formation through collisions and accretion.
Our approach was putting down all the requirements needed to complete the project and divide the tasks for each member. We had several meetings on what and how to complete the challenge we choose. Each and every one of us give ideas, discuss and agrees to only one solution that have clear objectives related to the challenges on each requirements. We also have schedules and deadlines to finish each tasks given. We try to help each other as much as we could and share any problems or solutions that we get with each other. All the resources that were found and shared is a great help towards our journey, it is to make sure all of us stays on one clear path.
At first, we taught of making a simple space mission to mars, where a simple input of a spaceship travel from Earth to Mars will suffice, but it is not quite challenging with no real objectives. Then, one of our team mate discovered the space mission of Psyche 16. Even though we had to start back from zero but it was totally worth it because with it we had a clear vision of how we need to complete our project. We layout all the plans we had for the first space mission to Mars and widen our ideas to implement for the spacecraft Psyche mission.
We were all grateful to have each other, because we all helped and guide each other through every process. We checked on each other once in a while, so that none of us is left out. We also would like to thank all the mentors and teachers that are involved in giving us the guidance and workshop, that really helped us throughout this space app journey. Teacher Teo never failed to help us in every way, he was always there to answer our questions and doubt about this challenge.
References
- https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/psyche/in-depth/
- https://psyche.asu.edu/
- https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/basics/primer/
- https://psyche.asu.edu/2018/01/19/electric-thrusters-psyche-spacecraft-work/
- https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/psyche
- Spark AR Studio
- JavaScript
- Visual Studio
- Microsoft Powerpoint
- Canva
Tags
#argame #instagramfilter #psyche #explorespace #exploration
Global Judging
This project has been submitted for consideration during the Judging process.