1. PROJECT TEAM
Joe Fratini (Computer Science)
Daniel Rogness (Computer Science)
Erin O’Hagan (Time Arts)
Eamon Newman (Instructional Technology)
SPRING 2013 (DEVELOPMENT)
ASSISTANT COACH
Eric Russell
COACH
Jason Underwood
Surviving The Ash: A Game

2. Agenda
• Background
– The Digital Convergence Lab
– The STEM Teen Read
• Project Overview
• Design and Development
• Future Work and Implementation
• Demonstration
• Questions

3. Digital Convergence Lab
• Interdisciplinary Partnership
– University Libraries
– Division of Outreach, Engagement, and Information Technology
Services
– Co-Directed by Aline Click and Drew VandeCreek
• Goals
– Community Outreach
– Shared Research and Development
– Experiential Learning

4. The STEM Teen Read began in 2011 as part of the STEM Outreach
initiative to promote science, technology, engineering, and math. In
2012, we received funding from the Center for P-20 Engagement
and NIU’s Virtual Lab School to create online programming.
Fast Facts
• Partnerships with libraries in DeKalb, Sycamore, Cortland, and
Hinckley
• Regular input from teens, youth librarians, and publishers
• 4 YA books per year
• Face-to-face and online programs
• Author visits at various events throughout the year

5. Game Concept: Design Stage
• What is Surviving the Ash
– Educational Game
– Focus on STEM
– Multiplayer Virtual Environment
• Who is it for?
– TeenRead
– Middle School – Adult
• Project Purpose
– Immerse players in the world of Ashfall by Mike Mullin
– Reinforce usefulness of STEM

6. Game Design & Development
Graphic
Assets
Content
Programming
User
Interface
Testing
Field Trials
(Sycamore High School
Sycamore Library)
FALL 2013 SPRING 2013
Design
Document

7. Game Concept: Design Requirements
• Base game theme and narrative on Ashfall by Mike Mullin
• 3D Virtual World, Multiplayer
• STEM Based Quests
• Multisession
• Integrated with Teen Read
• Interactions with Consequences

8. Ashfall Technology & Building Tools
• Unity 3D
• Jibe/Smartfox
• Programming Languages
– Javascript, C#
• Game Building Tools:
– 3D Studio Max, Photoshop

9. Game Structure & Story
Camp Quest
Player
Movement
Latrine
Duty
Water
Pump
Tree
Chop
Town Quest
All is Not
Well
Find a
Cure
Treat
River Quest
Get Across
River

10. Concept Art and Prototypes

11. Game Development: Basic Functionality
• Jibe
– Login
– Avatar Creation
– Character Movement
– Chat
• Custom Framework
– Quest System
– Backpack (Inventory)
– NPC Talk
– NPC Behavior
– Give/Receive Inventory
– Health/Hunger/Thirst

12. Game Development: Quest Programming
• Camp
• Town
• Raft
• Mini-quest
– Chopping Tree
– Cleaning Latrine
– Fixing Pump
• Interactions with Consequences
– Giving Water
– Helping NPCs

13. Game Development: 3D Art

14. Game Development: 3D Art

15. Sound Track and Effects
• Sound track
• Interface Sounds
• Various organic sounds
manipulated to achieve designated
sound
• Directional Sounds
• Environmental Sounds

16. Field Trial: Sycamore High School
• Alpha Test
• April 3rd, 2013
• Findings from players
– Player movement
– Instructions
– Quest completion
– Finding objects
– Capacity for fun

17. Field Trial: Sycamore Library
• Beta Test
• April 17th, 2013
• Findings from players
– Fun
– Music and visuals impressive
– Happy with player controls
– Good balance of fun and science
– Bugs

18. Future Work
• Further Development
– Continued Development in DCL
– Additional
• Quests
• Miniquests
• Interactions with consequences
• Playtests
• Support
– TeenRead Website
• Implementation
– TeenRead, Summer 2013
– Playtesting
• Research

19. Demonstration

20. Thank You
Center for P-20 Engagement
Gillian King-Cargile
Mary Baker
Alexia Clay
Sycamore High School
Sycamore Library
Digital Convergence Lab
Mike Mullin, Author of Ashfall
Peggy Tierney, Tanglewood Press

21. Questions