Spooky Savings

FOCUS

Project Manager, Level and Game Designer, UX/UI Artist

DESCRIPTION

Our requirement for this project was to create a game based on one of the cases. Our team chose a case about promoting energy-saving behaviors and encouraging students in Groningen to buy products that reduce energy consumption. The game revolves around a player who rents a haunted house due to a lack of other housing options. Ghosts turn on electronics, leading to a higher electricity bill that, if not managed, will result in eviction. The player's objective is to save up enough money to move out of the haunted house. The game's goals and requirements were successfully met, and it was a great experience to work on, thanks to the amazing teammates who worked hard on the project.

TIME

6 months

TYPE

3D game made in Unity

University Project

Team of six

Design Challenges:

My challenge was to create a concept that explained how the game should work and effectively showcase my idea to the team. I had three ideas, one of which was chosen and developed into Spooky Savings. The picture shows one of the first pages of the game concept before development began. I took inspiration from Moving Out! and Overcooked, where players have to handle a chaotic environment and complete tasks within a time limit to earn points. I liked the cooperative nature of these games, as well as their fun, cartoonish art style, which is easy on the eyes. I analyzed their gameplay and incorporated elements into the game concept, such as chaotic events, mini-games that the player needs to handle, a time limit, and a scoring system. Additionally, there is a shop that reduces energy consumption (which aligns with the game’s goal of teaching energy-saving behaviors) by allowing players to upgrade tech products that save energy.

My role:

Created a game concept that the team approved of and was excited to develop.
Developed an empathy map of our audience.
Conducted research on Energy Gamification and interviewed experts in Renewable Energy.
Researched energy-saving products to include in the in-game store and designed related mechanics.
Communicated with the team throughout the project, adjusting the design based on feedback from testers, teachers, and teammates.
Created a small Twine prototype to showcase the game loop and convey the core idea of the game.

Design Challenges

The challenge was to create a prototype for testing sessions at Hanze and showcase the game loop. I also had to design a concept for the environment and how furniture should be arranged for the player to navigate. I drew inspiration from the interior design of Moving Out! and how they designed their interiors. The environment’s challenge was to ensure that players could reach the electronics via optional routes without overcrowding the apartment. I carefully thought through how to create an environment that utilizes space effectively while making navigation slightly challenging.

My role

Created mini-game concepts and determined how they should be played.
Applied research on energy-saving practices into the gameplay mechanics.
Conducted expert interviews on what behaviors should be encouraged in players to reduce energy consumption.
Communicated with the 3D environment artist to explain how and why the environment should be designed in this way.
Created a prototype in Twine to help the team understand our vision and to give teachers a clear idea of what we aimed to create.

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Challenges:

I had to create a cute yet spooky ghost that fits into the hectic gameplay aesthetic. The ghost needed to be both cute and recognizable. I also designed a unique menu for the game that would make our game stand out from the beginning and add "lore" right from the start. The menu takes the form of a memo board that displays the listing for the haunted house, explaining how the player ended up there. It also includes pictures of characters from other teams in my class. If I were to work on this game again, I would pay more attention to maintaining a consistent art style and ensuring that the UX/UI elements match the overall aesthetic.

My role:

Created moodboards for every aspect of the game, including the environment, characters, and ghost (Art bible).
Designed sketch concepts for all 2D assets, characters, and the ghost.
Created 2D assets for the menu and promotional materials.
Created some 3D assets and the ghost.
Actively iterated on the designs based on feedback to improve the pieces.

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Design Challenges:

Before this project, I had managed two other teams with four people, and this time it was six. It was a challenge to mentally keep track of everything, but I managed well by using programs and observing the progress of the development. I learned that I really enjoy leading a team through this project.

My role:

Assigned tasks and tracked the progress of every team member.
Used Trello and Notion to keep the team on track with game development and art style.
Checked in with everyone on the team, staying informed about their well-being, progress, and how their studies were going.
Updated a priority task list every week and delegated tasks accordingly.

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Polina Porshakova | Game Designer

Spooky Savings

Space time

Nunu's adventure

porshakova771@gmail.com