NASA/ASU Psyche
Psyche Quest immerses players in NASA’s mission to uncover the secrets of asteroid 16 Psyche, believed to be a remnant planetary core. Still in development; Expected to go live in May 2025.
Educational 🔬
Space 🚀
Adventure 🧭
Arcade 🕹️
5
8 Mos
RELEASE DATE:
May 12, 2025
STATUS:
In Development
Explore the Final Frontier of Discovery.
How to Play:
Navigate your spacecraft using [control scheme, e.g., arrow keys or controller].
Solve puzzles based on real-world physics and space science to gather data from the asteroid.
Uncover narrative elements and learn about the history and significance of Psyche through engaging story sequences.
Complete missions to unlock new tools and upgrades for your spacecraft.
Project Design Goals:
Ensure accuracy by incorporating real-life data and scientific facts working with NASA.
Create an educational yet engaging experience that balances learning with interactivity.
Optimize performance and visuals specifically for WebGL to ensure accessibility and smooth gameplay.
Design intuitive interactions that effectively communicate the challenges of deep-space exploration.
Reflection:
Psyche Quest began as a way to merge storytelling with education. Collaborating with scientific resources, I wanted to create something that’s not only entertaining but also informative. Developing this project deepened my appreciation for the creativity required in both science and art; Working with NASA has been a revelation in understanding the complicated systems critical to mission success.
-My Contribution-
Game Designer | Level Designer | Gameplay Scripter | Project Manager
Game Systems & Mechanics:
Designed mission accurate gameplay
Prototyped on mission progression and interactive research tasks
Mission & Level Design:
Created an exploration-driven mission structure
Designed interactive research tasks reflecting real-life NASA objectives
Ensured real-world accuracy in mechanics and environmental design
Tools & Prototyping:
Built test environments to refine UI readability and player interaction
Developed a data visualization tool to simulate real spacecraft instruments
UI/UX Design:
Implemented key UI elements:
Mission Dashboard
Navigation Interface
Testing & Analytics:
Conducted playtesting sessions to refine engagement and clarity
Gathered and analyzed player data to optimize mission flow and usability
Collaboration & Leadership:
Acted as the primary liaison between design and programming teams
Led onboarding and mentoring for new designers
Bug Fixing & Optimization:
Optimized for WebGL to ensure smooth performance across browsers
Debugged UI scaling issues for better readability and interaction consistency
Maintained system documentation for mechanics and research tools