STUDIO 5
College of Design and Innovation, Tongji University
Course Outcomes | Studio 5, A Course for Undergraduates:
More than Entertainment — Design & Development of Serious Games
Games are the epitome of digital technology and media art in our current era. They are both a product of the advancements in information technology and a driving force behind the ongoing evolution of computer hardware and software. Beyond generating astounding economic value, games have also shaped contemporary culture worldwide, earning the well-deserved title of the “ninth art.”
Among them, functional games, also known as serious games, have gained increasing attention from domestic game development companies in recent years. These interactive software products are designed in the form of games but are not solely or primarily intended for entertainment. They leverage gamification design principles and game development technologies to serve various industries, including but not limited to education, healthcare, exhibitions, and more.
To this end, the current Studio project, themed “Behind the Industry,” tasked students with designing and developing a complete and creative serious game through group collaboration. Over the course of two months, three groups of students conducted in-depth research, honed their technical skills, and iterated on their designs, resulting in the development of unique game prototypes. This was a meaningful attempt to apply their skills and creativity in a practical, interdisciplinary context.
Advisors
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Aaron Leo & Miao Li (Social Value Research Center, Tencent Interactive Entertainment)
Students
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Zeming Sun, Haoyang Guo, Qiyuan An, Yezi Wu, Shiyu Liu, Hao Xu, Yanqu Chen, Chenyi Wang, Qiutong Yu, Yichen Xu, Xijia Luo, Wenyi Liu
Partner
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Social Value Research Center, Tencent Interactive Entertainment
01 The Road to ArchMaster
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Creators: Zeming Sun, Haoyang Guo, Qiyuan An, Yezi Wu
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Creators: Zeming Sun, Haoyang Guo, Qiyuan An, Yezi Wu
”The Path of Ancient Architecture Masters” is a serious game created using Unity3D, featuring a fantasy ancient Chinese architectural style and focusing on the theme of protecting Chinese ancient architecture.
The story is set in a world after 2180, where urbanization and technological development have led to the near disappearance of ancient architectural relics. The player assumes the role of Ajie, the last student majoring in Tiankeng—Historic Architecture Preservation, who deeply loves ancient architecture and is saddened and frustrated by its current state.
One day, while out for a walk to clear his mind, Ajie is led by a mysterious girl named Zhao’er into the ruins of an ancient underwater village. He realizes that this might be one of the few remaining physical remnants of ancient architecture in the world. Intrigued, he begins to explore this underwater relic, learning ancient construction techniques and gradually uncovering the secrets behind the disappearance of this ancient village, as well as the true identity of the mysterious girl…
02 EM-Power
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Creators: Shiyu Liu, Hao Xu, Yanqu Chen, Chenyi Wang
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Creators: Shiyu Liu, Hao Xu, Yanqu Chen, Chenyi Wang
”EM-Power” is a serious strategy and management game set against the backdrop of power supply planning during Mars exploration.
In the game, players engage in various stages of construction including power stations, distribution centers, substations, and high/low voltage transmission media. They also manage power distribution, responding to random events like solar storms, repairing damaged cables, and preventing overload damage to distribution settings. The ultimate goal is to complete the game by achieving a certain score that determines whether the player successfully clears each level.
EM-Power’s main design focuses and challenges throughout the entire development process include game mechanism design, development of algorithms for current path allocation and electricity value calculation, and construction system implementation. The overall game design emphasizes playability and strategic depth. We aim to immerse players in the scientific background of space exploration and Mars exploration, enhancing their enthusiasm for Mars exploration. Players will learn about the characteristics of various transmission and consumption facilities, as well as understand the basic forms and methods of power supply within the game.
03 Monolith
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Creators: Qiutong Yu, Yichen Xu, Xijia Luo, Wenyi Liu
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Creators: Qiutong Yu, Yichen Xu, Xijia Luo, Wenyi Liu
Monolith is an astronomy industry popular science micro-puzzle game based on the James Webb Space Telescope.
The James Webb Space Telescope, known as the successor to the Hubble Telescope, represents the pinnacle of current astronomical technology. In the game, players take on the role of a miniature astronaut navigating through various intricate industrial design blueprints related to the Webb Telescope. This unique perspective allows players to explore the knowledge and romance of the astronomy industry.
To avoid the high barrier of entry posed by professional knowledge, the game employs an engaging micro-puzzle game interaction format. It educates players on the entire process of the Webb Telescope, from construction to launch, deployment, and operation. The goal is to broaden the accessibility of professional astronomical knowledge from scientists/experts to the general public who are interested but may lack related expertise.
The Road to ArchMaster
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becoming a master of traditional Chinese architecture
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becoming a master of traditional Chinese architecture
“Familiar wharf walls and pavilions,
The moon pond under the bridge remains clear,
The vanished Hong Village, reappears before my eyes.”
（click to enlarge）
Introduction to the Game
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“The Road to ArchMaster” is a fantasy RPG game with ancient Chinese architectural preservation as its theme.
The story unfolds after 2180, where urbanization and technological advancement have led to the near disappearance of ancient architectural relics. Players assume the role of A Jie, the last student of Tiankeng, specializing in historic architecture preservation. A Jie deeply loves ancient architecture and is heartbroken and frustrated by its current state. One day, while taking a break outdoors, he is led by a mysterious girl named Zhao’er into the underwater ruins of an ancient village. A Jie realizes this may be one of the last physical remnants of ancient architecture in the world. He explores the underwater ruins, learning ancient construction techniques, and gradually unravels the mystery behind the disappearance of this ancient village and the true identity of the mysterious girl.
The Story
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Entering the 22nd century, urbanization and population explosion have led to an irreversible disease: the severe shortage of urban spatial resources. Historical relics continue to be overshadowed by new skyscrapers and buildings.
On June 11, 2180, the United Nations declared that there were no longer any historical or cultural traces left in any part of the world…
Gameplay
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The game is primarily an exploration-based RPG where players, guided by their guardian spirit Zhao’er, explore submerged ruins. The main quest involves restoring an ancient building, exploring various components of ancient architecture along the way. Additionally, players can uncover the truth behind the story during exploration.
During exploration, players can enter a “Restoration” mode to fully restore the structure of the ancient building.
Moreover, hidden information within fragments scattered throughout the scenes awaits discovery and reading by players. Ultimately, the information players gather will influence their choices and determine the course of the storyline and endings.
Videos
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Trailer
Creators’ Explanation
（Press Up/Down to adjust volume. Press Left/Right to Fast Forward or Fast Backward.）
Download Link
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https://qiyuan-an.itch.io/archmaster
EM-Power
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the Mars power supply project
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the Mars power supply project
“Exploring the Future and the Unknown
Through Logic and Reflection”
（click to enlarge）
Introduction to the Game
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EM-Power is a serious strategy and management game set against the backdrop of power supply planning during Mars exploration.
Players engage in constructing power stations, distribution centers, substations, and high/low voltage transmission media during the game’s construction phase to build a stable and efficient power system. During the management phase, players allocate electricity, repair damaged equipment and wires, and respond to random events like solar storms. The game culminates in completing the gameplay loop, with outcomes determined by player scores.
Drawing inspiration from real-world electrical grid characteristics, the game features mechanism design, algorithms for current path allocation and electricity value calculation, and system development to enhance educational value, playability, and strategic depth. We aim to immerse players in the atmosphere of space exploration and unraveling the mysteries of Mars, fostering enthusiasm for interstellar exploration and enhancing their understanding of fundamental principles and methods of power supply.
The Story
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The Maras exploration project has been included as a crucial mission in China’s future aerospace endeavors. According to relevant data and image analyses, aside from extensive sandy terrain, Mars’ surface features numerous giant meteorite craters covered with ice and snow.
To explore the water resources on Mars’ surface, the first phase of the CNSA Mars Exploration Program began in 2045, with the initial batch of scientific exploration devices launched into designated landing points within these meteorite craters.
In 2047, the second phase of the Martian exploration project commences. As the head of the power supply plan, players’ objective is to meet the energy demands of the research facilities within the meteorite craters. They must strategically plan transmission facilities on the Martian surface, allocate distribution quotas effectively, and ensure that distribution stations do not overload while providing reliable power to all facilities as efficiently as possible.
Gameplay
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The major goal of a player: Ensure that the power grid supply is neither deficient nor excessively surplus.
Each power station provides perfect power supply to each unit within its tolerance range of total demanded electricity.
Distribution stations can meet the power supply needs of all electrical facilities within a certain distance and have the freedom to choose whether to supply power to specific facilities.
Power facilities may suffer damage from events like solar storms and require maintenance. A significant imbalance between supply and demand at distribution stations can lead to explosions.
Videos
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Trailer
Creators’ Explanation
（Press Up/Down to adjust volume. Press Left/Right to Fast Forward or Fast Backward.）
Download Link
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https://xxxuhao.itch.io/em-power
Monolith
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explore the James Webb telescope
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explore the James Webb telescope
“This is a long story about light,
A distant gaze towards the beginning of time.”
（click to enlarge）
Introduction to the Game
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Monolith is an astronomy-themed, industry-focused, educational micro-decipher game based on the James Webb Space Telescope.
The James Webb Space Telescope is known as the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope and represents the highest achievement in modern astronomical technology. In the game, players take on the role of a miniature astronaut navigating through various intricate industrial design blueprints related to the Webb telescope. This perspective offers insights into the knowledge and romance of astronomical industry.
To avoid high barriers imposed by specialized knowledge, the game employs an engaging micro-decipher interactive format. It educates players on the entire process of the Webb telescope, from construction and launch to deployment and operation. The goal is to make complex astronomical knowledge accessible not only to scientists and professionals but also to enthusiasts who lack specialized expertise in the field.
The Story
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The scientist burning the midnight oil rubbed their eyes. To his surprise, a moving figure appeared on the design blueprint of the Webb telescope. “I must be tired”, he thought, “Maybe it’s time for a break.”
Design Concept
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Fun Interaction + Hardcore Knowledge
As a serious game, it may not have a flashy reward system. Instead, its enjoyment and satisfaction lie in the engaging interactions themselves. Through a fun micro-decipher game format, we educate players on the entire process of the Webb telescope—from construction to launch, deployment, and operation. This approach avoids the high barriers imposed by specialized knowledge while enhancing both educational value and gameplay.
Fun:
Dynamic tooltip prompts and tutorials
Progressive color-changing interactive hints
Trigger-based collision and interactive animations
Educational:
Tutorial Level: Introduces basic game mechics and provides an overview of Webb’s basic structure.
Level 1: Optical System
Level 2: Deployment Process of Webb
Level 3: Alignment of Mirrors
In a world immersed in virtuality, entertainment, illusions, capital, desires, games, leisure, and division, do we still need spiritual guidance from aerospace, the Olympics, physical well-being, reality, the unknown, limits, courage, and peace?
The answer is affirmative.
The spirit of daring to pursue truth, challenge the unknown, and explore further horizons is a goal that humanity must steadfastly pursue.
Videos
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Trailer
Creators’ Explanation
（Press Up/Down to adjust volume. Press Left/Right to Fast Forward or Fast Backward.）
Download Link
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https://yuqiutong.itch.io/monolith
