STRAWPOLIS

Description

Strawpolis is a collaborative, environmentally-themed game set in England at the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, a pivotal moment when human impact on nature became significant. Players navigate the delicate balance between human activity and nature's well-being within a diverse ecosystem of forests, urban areas, and mountains. As politicians advocating for growth-driven policies or environmental protection, players are placed in specific categories shaping gameplay. The goal? To maintain a healthy, balanced ecosystem while fostering human activity and development.

Main skill developed

Game Design

Context

3-month school project

Year

2022

The Strawpolis board game box in forest green, shown open

Challenges

Consequence Indicators

Challenge : Communicating the impact of player choices.

Solution : Designed visual feedback like changing landscapes or buildings.

User Education

Challenge : Teaching complex concepts, both ecological and economic.

Solution : Developed interactive tutorials on key concepts.

Multiplayer Collaboration

Challenge : Engaging debates among diverse players.

Solution : Integrated a debate system with balanced teams, offering various formats for strategic discussions and player engagement.

Strategic Interfaces

Challenge : Designing intuitive decision-making tools.

Solution : Implemented data visualizations for informed choices.

DYNAMIC ECOSYSTEMS

Challenge: Creating a realistic 3D map reacting to player actions.

Solution: Implemented a simulation impacting wildlife and habitats.

Hybrid Gameplay Approach

Challenge : Designing a hybrid operating model for gameplay.

Solution : Implemented a mode with screens for map and debate info, phone use for voting and specific indicators.

Engraved iconography and interface components: vote buttons, timer and food gauge
Type specimen for Etna, the Strawpolis crest and the green palette
3D models of industrial revolution buildings: railway station, town hall, iron bridge and coal mine
Player persona, an engraved top-hatted notable
The scenario branch tree
The two play modes, television plus phones and phones only, shown in use
Mobile game screens: the debate, the register, the results and the speaking turn

Outcomes

Strawpolis stands as a testament to the power of collaborative design in creating meaningful, educational, and engaging gaming experiences. By combining immersive 3D environments, intuitive UI/UX design, compelling storytelling, and dynamic gameplay mechanics, the game empowers players to explore the complexities of environmental stewardship and democratic governance. Through strategic decision-making, thoughtful debates, and impactful choices, players emerge with a deeper understanding of the delicate balance between human progress and ecological preservation.

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