Arctic Balance:

Tilt, Twist, and Traverse the Frozen Ocean

This is an arcade game that was made in university.

Arctic Balance is an innovative arcade game; we aim to make all the player's physical and console gameplay and mechanics into one exciting feeling and also get a sense of physical balance exercise. Players will take on the role of a single polar bear and embark on a dangerous journey across the cold ocean. Developed by a two-person team of students in an arcade course, Arctic Balance challenges players to balance on a physics ball while tilting a virtual ice floe that the polar bear catches flying fish. Arctic Balance is a unique blend of physics and virtual gaming that delivers an immersive and exciting experience for arcade enthusiasts who love to work out.

Project Description

Arctic Balance

Role

Overview

Game developer, UI/UX designer, 3D modeler, and Animator.

Nov - Dec, 2023

How we built it

In traditional arcades, the only thing that mobilizes the player is the player's hands. In an age where digital experiences often dominate our leisure time, blending physical and virtual elements in games has excellent appeal. We created this game to bridge the gap between the real and the digital to some extent and provide players with an immersive and interactive arcade experience. Players are engaged mentally and physically by using a physical balance ball as a controller, promoting movement and active participation.

Additionally, the thematic backdrop of Arctic Balance is the growing awareness of environmental issues, particularly the challenges faced by wildlife in the Arctic due to climate change. The game fosters empathy and awareness of the plight of these creatures through the footage of a lone polar bear searching for food on a treacherous ice floe. By combining entertainment with education, Arctic Balance becomes a game that promotes awareness of environmental conservation and inspires players to protect the Earth's fragile ecosystem. As such, Arctic Balance has been developed with a dual purpose: to provide a novel and engaging gaming experience while promoting a broader conversation about the environment and the importance of preserving the Earth's natural wonders.

Background

User Research

We researched by visiting three gyms and two arcade game stores in New York. Our findings showed that around 70% of fitness professionals found traditional core training slightly boring. On the other hand, 60% of game enthusiasts expressed their willingness to try arcade games if they could help them improve their core or balance. Based on this research, we decided to target fitness professionals and game enthusiasts looking for an enjoyable way to enhance their traditional core training.

We used Unity to develop the game and built the Arduino code through IDE. This enabled us to combine the action points of training the core, choosing appropriate training equipment, and completing the game through the mechanism of maintaining balance. Our idea is about a baby polar bear fishing on an ice floe, trying to catch fish to survive and eventually reach the safe island. We combined elements of adventure and exercise to provide players with both entertainment and health experiences.

Gameplay

The main objective of Arctic Balance is to help a little polar bear catch flying fish to fill his stomach. Players stand on a balancing ball equipped with sensors that detect their body movements. By shifting their weight, players tilt the virtual ice floes to guide the bear towards the fish. However, players must be cautious not to swing too much, as excessive movement can put the ice in danger mode. If the ice begins swaying uncontrollably, players must operate carefully to stabilize it and prevent the bear from falling into the freezing waters below.

Game Mechanic

Level 1 - Take Direction:

The game starts with the polar bear standing on an ice floe facing three possible directions: left, center, and right.

Flying fish swim by in the distance, and the player needs to quickly tilt the balance ball in the direction of the flying fish's appearance so that the polar bear's body is facing the direction of the flying fish.

The player will win the first level as long as the polar bear maintains enough blood before reaching the island.

Level 2 - Different Fish Challenge:

In the second level, different types of flying fish appear, some of which are faster and require the player to react faster.

Some particular fish will cause the polar bear to lose blood if he encounters them. Players need to be careful to avoid these dangerous fish.

The goal remains maintaining enough blood before reaching the island to win the second level.

Level 3 - Threat of Poisonous Fish:

The third level introduces poisonous fish that will stun the polar bear if it eats them.

In the stunned state, the player must maneuver the balance ball oppositely. For example, when trying to tilt to the left in the game, the player realistically needs to swing their body to the right to regain their balance.

Players must carefully choose which fish to eat to avoid vertigo and maintain enough blood to win the third level before finally reaching the island.

Common Fish

Speedy Fish

Dangerous Fish

Poisonous Fish

Weather Changes:

Random ice storms, ice floes, etc.

In addition to adding visual appeal, it also affects the balance of difficulty in the game.

Ice Storm: Ice floes will be blown backward by the storm, and the player will have to dodge the floating ice floes simultaneously, or the ice will be knocked small. The polar bear will fall into the sea if the ice is too small.