STARLIGHT EXPEDITION

Starlight Expedition is a game created during the Scientifique Game Jam Paris 2023 by a team of five in 48 hours. The game is based on the PhD thesis of one of our group members, which focuses on the physics of solar cells and the composition of organic solar panels. This scientific theme was integrated through the gameplay and the scoring system, revolving around the power output of the solar panel.

Coming from a scientific background myself, I found it particularly fascinating to collaborate with a PhD student to design a game around such a topic. Since the project was a gamification, it pushed me to adopt a different way of working, transforming complex concepts into something both playful and engaging.

The jam was held in person, which made the experience even richer: I had the chance to meet new people, work alongside talents including developers from Ubisoft, and take on the challenge of building a full game in only 48 hours. It was an intense but truly rewarding experience.

PLAY ON ITCH.IO

TECHNICAL SHEET

RELEASE DATE : Apr. 2023

TYPE : Arcade

GENRE : Solo

SUPPORT : PC (on Itch.io)

ENGINE : Unity

REWARD : Gameplay Award & Trailer Mention

MY ROLE - GAME DESIGNER

Apr. 2023

Design of game mechanics related to the thesis.
Complete balancing of scoring and gamplay mechanics in engine (Unity).
Team management and organization of the documentation.
Creation of the game trailer & voice acting [FR].

MY APPROACH AND INTENTIONS

The design of Starlight Expedition aimed to combine scientific rigor with accessible arcade gameplay. As the only Game Designer on the project, my challenge was to translate the concepts of organic solar panels into mechanics that were both fun and understandable, even for players without a scientific background.

Since the game was developed within a short timeframe, one of the main constraints was time: we needed a playable prototype very quickly, which meant avoiding unnecessary details and focusing on the core gameplay loops. Ultimately, time became a factor that encouraged a structured and efficient organization.

Another challenge was ensuring that the thesis theme was effectively conveyed through the game, striking the right balance between scientific accuracy and entertainment. This required constant iteration and simplification of the mechanics, so that players could intuitively grasp the scientific concepts at the heart of the project.

MY PROCESS

1. Selection of the scientist and thesis that inspired the team.

2. Generation of ideas to translate scientific concepts into fun and intuitive mechanics, followed by filtering of the most relevant.

3. I chose an arcade-style game for its simplicity and effectiveness, making it the best option given the tight schedule. Skills and behaviors to stimulate in players were also defined.

4. Development of main mechanics and loops to be fun, intuitive, and educational. I created a game concept document centralizing key elements (mechanics, educational goals, scoring, visuals) to guide development.

5. I refined difficulty, scoring, and clarity of mechanics on paper and in Unity to ensure smooth and enjoyable gameplay.

6. The project was finalized and tested by mentors to validate experience, educational value, and fun.

7. A trailer, including voice-over, was created. Thanks to good organization, there was time to produce it fully.

8. The project was presented to all participants and mentors, explaining the process and the scientific concepts in an accessible way.

GAME CONCEPT - MILANOTE

This Game Concept document for Starlight Expedition showcases the full creative and technical vision of the project. It brings together all the core pillars of development: the one-page overview with the pitch and design intentions, the core gameplay loops with scoring systems and rational balancing, the narrative framework with lore and script, and the player skills analysis.

It also presents the UI mockups, art direction moodboards, and prototype evolution, highlighting the progression from early ideas to functional gameplay. Designed as a collaborative tool, this concept blends scientific accuracy with arcade-inspired mechanics, ensuring that every iteration remained both engaging and educational.

DOWNLOAD FULL DOCUMENT

[ONLY FR VERSION]