Photosynthesis

Users will need to balance the resource for the plant. If the resources fall too low or too much, plant health will be reduced. The simulation itself, takes place in an enclosed space, to enhance the feeling of resource balancing. Because User need to control the resources inside the enclosed area.

This is the main Mechanic of this prototype. As it will teach the player, how much a plant can tolerate before it dies, or grow.

So why did I chose this mechanic? Basically photosynthesis itself is a process of transforming energy, and resource management. So, I think this type of mechanic will be the most accurate representation and best approach to fulfill the game pillars.

This is the main objective of this game. Grow the plant to certain level in certain condition.

On the first iteration, I make the plant growth gradually as long as the sugar level is enough. However I notice that the gradual change in plant size, didn't reward user enough.

That is why I decided to change the grow mechanic a bit (at a cost). The new grow mechanic is player can choose to grow the plant at any time considering there are enough sugar level. And when chosen, the plant will grow to a certain level automatically, while consuming the sugar. This new mechanics prove to be more "rewarding", however It come at a cost. The Decrease of scientifically accuracy. since no plant grow like this.

Well since this is a gamified approach I decided that this is the best balance between game and science. Because who doesn't know that plant doesn't grow like this? Just kidding, No, the information on how the plant actually growth will be shown when user press the grow button to avoid misconception on user perspective, and to maintain the value of the game.

There are a lot of external factors that can affects the photosynthesis process. By transforming those variables into a mechanic, the gameplay could have more depth and realistic value.

For example, user can put cover if the light is too hot or too intense, if not covered, the plants might die because of high temperature. Or put in more water, because the water level on the dirt is too low.

This is also the second main mechanic in this prototype. Quiz and help menu information can help user to further understand about photosynthesis.

The quiz themselves will popup at random time/situation, and if answered correctly, will provide user with extra resources which can be used to supply the plants with necessary resource.

The way I designed this quiz, is to make the quiz essential, in other words, the game will failed since player also failed to understand how the photosynthesis work. This kind of enforcement is important because of the game pillars.

So actually I also planned to add this in the prototype, however, the time constraint won't allow me.

This scenario selection have a purpose to serve as extra educational simulation, and not to mention so the prototype will have full core loop rotation.

Each scenario will have different external factors value, and also different plant, which will behave differently. So as a game, this will serve as progression and challenge for user. At the same time, as a educational media, this will provide user with scientifically accurate information on how each plant grow in different environment.