Designing player agency experiences for environmental awareness gameplay

• Autor(a) principal: Fernandes, Diogo Luís Spínola
• Data de Publicação: 2023
• Tipo de documento: Dissertação
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.13/5103
• topic: Farming; Simulation; Video game; Environment; Agency; Interaction; Environmental awareness; Survival; Agricultura; Simulação; Jogo de computador; Ambiente; Sentido de agência; Interação; Consciência ambiental; Sobrevivência; International Master of Design Media Interactives; .; Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia; Domínio/Área Científica::Engenharia e Tecnologia::Engenharia Eletrotécnica, Eletrónica e Informática

This study applies the creation of a survival-themed video game called Little Farm Island. The goal of the game is to provide players with an immersive and challenging survival experience that tests their problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. The game Little Farm Island is set in a low poly environment with limited resources and features character customization to enhance player immersion. The objective of this project is to design and implement gameplay mechanics that can effectively increase player engagement and enjoyment, evaluating the effectiveness of these mechanics through playtesting and analysis based on survey data gathered by players. Through the development process, various mechanics were enforced and tested, including growing crops and open-world exploration. The results of the playtesting showed the potential of this game for promoting environmental awareness and problem-solving skills through engaging gameplay. In addition, the game was found to provide players with knowledge and skills that can be applied in real life, and the importance of caring strategies for increasing player satisfaction and happiness through meaningful gameplay experiences. This project demonstrates that is possible to create an engaging and immersive survival game through the use of well-implemented mechanics and character customization.