Adventure Buddies

How much do you know about people with disabilities?

Over the years, society's attitudes towards people with disabilities have improved significantly. It is through advocacy and awareness that people have come to understand that we are all equal and that the unique qualities that individuals with disabilities possess make them special. These abilities are innate, and individuals are born with them.

Pity

Inferiority

Discomfort

Fear

Stereotyping

Respect

Inclusion

Empowerment

Advocacy

Indifference

Discrimination

Timeline

2023/03 —— 2024/06

Adventure Buddies

A game that highlights the strengths and unique contributions of players with disabilities.

Project Type

Game Design

Contribution

Individual Work

Tools

Unity
Photoshop
After Effects

Motivation

During my middle school years, I had my first encounter with disabled people when I came across a Developmental Disabilities Program (DDP) class. Being curious, I wanted to know more about them. What made their class different from ours? What kind of special attention did they require? What challenges did they face, and how did they live their lives? As I moved on from middle school, I noticed fewer groups of disabled people in society, which only added to my curiosity about them. It's already challenging enough to survive in today's competitive society, so how would they manage? This led me to explore further their lives, the obstacles they face, and the issues currently affecting them.

Common Barriers

People with disabilities face many barriers that can limit their daily activities, independence, and overall quality of life. These barriers not only affect their physical and mental health but also their social inclusion and ability to participate fully in society. It is important to address these obstacles to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal opportunities to live their lives to the fullest.

Characteristic

Peculiarity

Getting to Know Them

Stephen Hawking

Physicist

Lou Gehrig's disease

Despite his condition, which gradually paralyzed him over the decades, Hawking made significant contributions to the fields of cosmology and quantum gravity, especially in the context of black holes.

Frida Kahlo

Artist

Spina Bifida

Following a bus accident, she suffered multiple injuries, including fractures to her spine and pelvis, which led to a lifetime of pain and medical issues, deeply influencing her art.

Temple Grandin

Animal behaviorist Autism

Grandin is one of the first individuals on the autism spectrum to publicly share insights from her personal experience of autism.

Chris Burke

Actor

Down Syndrome

Burke was one of the first actors with Down syndrome to have a regular role on a network television series, which helped to increase visibility and change perceptions about disabilities.

Game Concept

everyone is born with a special ability.
What's yours, and how can it change the world?

Adventure Buddies is all about celebrating diversity and showing off the awesome contributions of individuals with different abilities. By featuring characters with various disabilities, it really brings out the fact that everyone has unique skills and talents that are super valuable when working together. With cooperative gameplay and puzzles that need different abilities to solve, it's a great way for players to see firsthand how diverse teams can achieve amazing things. This inclusive approach isn't just entertaining – it also teaches players about the importance of acceptance and teamwork in reaching common goals.

Accessibility

Ensure the game is accessible to players with varying abilities, including those with intellectual disabilities.

Adjustable difficulty levels.
Provide clear instructions.
Option to customize the user interface.

Art Style

The game's visual design is captivating and encourages empathy with its calming colors that capture the characters' distinct and extraordinary worlds. The hand-drawn artwork mirrors the characters' perspectives, presenting a world that is not tidy, straightforward, or strictly structured. Instead, they perceive a lively, intricate setting filled with genuine emotions. The color selection is carefully chosen avoiding shades like red or yellow that may provoke strong reactions, and instead favoring soothing and neutral tones.

Game Strategy

Players decide the best action or character to use in each scenario, reflecting strategic planning and the need to understand each character’s strengths. Two players must work together and use their abilities to solve the puzzles and challenges. The goal is to collect three keys and save your friend! And try not to die.

Character Roster

Autism

A character who excels in tasks requiring pattern recognition and attention to detail. They are highly skilled in solving puzzles, often noticing intricate information that others might miss. Their gameplay involves navigating environments that require logical thinking and problem-solving.

ADHD

A character who thrives in dynamic environments that require creativity, quick thinking, and high energy. They are spontaneous and adaptable, excelling in fast-paced scenarios. Their gameplay highlights their ability to think on their feet and their enthusiasm for energetic activities.

Down Syndrome

A highly sociable character with strong visual and memory skills. They are excellent in tasks involving routine and repetition, bringing a calm and structured approach to challenges. Their gameplay focuses on activities that benefit from their friendly nature and strong retention skills.

Bipolar

A character whose abilities and interactions vary based on their mood. They experience high energy cycles, with enhanced speed and strength, and low energy, where they require rest and have limited capabilities. The gameplay involves managing these mood swings effectively to progress.

Game Story

Two kids gathered to play video game on a sunny afternoon.

But they feel erupted and angrily yelled back.

It draws attention to a group of kids.

A strange change occurred on the computer screen and this force dragge d the two kids into the computer.

One kid nicely asked if they wanted to play together.

A line of mysterious text appeared on the screen: "Now it's your turn. Save them, or don't."

12 years old
Tall and slim boy
Athletic, brave and fiery

Jack

ADHD

Character Design

13 years old
Likes flowers
Quiet, shy and placid

Mia

Autism

Skill: Extremely fast, able to move across the battlefield quickly.

Drawback: Feels uneasy when stationary, needing constant movement.

Health Loss: Gradual health loss when inactive or stationary for extended periods.

Special: Performs consecutive jumps, ideal for overcoming obstacles and rapid movement.

Skill: She can create a protective bubble that blocks external damage and provides temporary immunity to external interference.

Drawback: Mia panics in bright or crowded environments, leading to decreased mobility.

Health Loss: Gradual health loss in environments with strong sensory stimuli.

Special: Sees hidden paths or items.

12 years old
Tomboy, double eye color
Energetic, bold and fearless

Ava

Bipolar

Skill: Ava can push heavy objects or break obstacles during energy peak periods.

Drawback: After an energy burst, Ava enters a low period with reduced movement speed.

Health Loss: After an energy burst, due to extreme fatigue, she loses 20% of health.

Special: Increases team morale when in the team, boosting overall attack or defense during an energy burst.

Charles

Down Syndrome

11 years old
Chubby short boy
Friendly, passionate and sociable

Skill: Continuously restore health to teammates within a certain range.

Drawback: Weaker motor skills, affecting the ability to dodge attacks and perform precise tasks.

Health Loss: Loses health while healing others.

Special: Reduces enemy aggression within a certain range due to a friendly atmosphere.

level

Design

The game levels are filled with beautiful landscapes featuring lush plants, vibrant flowers, and tranquil underwater scenes. These are designed to create a calming and inviting gameplay experience. This thoughtful approach not only adds to the game's beauty but also brings a sense of connection and tranquility.

The designs aim to provide a peaceful atmosphere, making the game accessible and engaging for everyone. By including these elements, each player is welcomed into a gentle yet captivating adventure, where the beauty of nature enhances the overall experience.

Design Process

Brainstorming ideas and creating preliminary sketches.

Undertaking

a color study.

Final Levels

Cooperative

Game

The final level design incorporates interactive puzzle games, including a memory challenge where players collaborate to complete a lotus-shaped puzzle using their recall abilities.

The level features various challenges that require both players to use their unique abilities effectively. This cooperative approach ensures that players must work together strategically to overcome obstacles and succeed in the game.

Final Game Design

Creating game scenes in Unity

Writing codes

Character 3 skill

Character 4 skill

Character 1&2 skills

User Testing

Feedback

Players who tried out the game provided positive comments, stating that they found it enjoyable and calming. They specifically appreciated the art style and the unique abilities of the characters. However, they pointed out some issues with the platforming mechanics, particularly with jumping, and suggested that it could be enhanced for a smoother gaming experience. They also expressed a wish for more stimulating obstacles or adversaries, believing that incorporating these elements would raise the game's level of challenge and make it even more enjoyable to play.