{"id":153,"date":"2026-02-11T22:50:32","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T22:50:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/?p=153"},"modified":"2026-03-30T23:06:02","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T23:06:02","slug":"week-2-defining-the-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/week-2-defining-the-game\/","title":{"rendered":"Week 2 &#8211; Define Game"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>This Week&#8217;s Goals<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8ce23d964ab8e6b788d9b18dab565b70\">In Week 5, we focused on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\" class=\"wp-block-list has-contrast-background-color has-background has-medium-font-size\">\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\">Drafting our first version of the <strong>Game Design Document (GDD)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\">Conducting technical research on Meta Quest 3 setup<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\">Evaluating whether to develop in Unreal Engine or Unity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-base-2-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-base-2-background-color has-background is-style-dots\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Ideation<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Gameloop_ideation1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-507\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Gameloop_ideation1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Gameloop_ideation1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Gameloop_ideation1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Gameloop_ideation1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Gameloop_ideation1-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Mechanics_ideation1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-508\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Mechanics_ideation1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Mechanics_ideation1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Mechanics_ideation1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Mechanics_ideation1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Mechanics_ideation1-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-base-2-color has-contrast-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-sml-medium-font-size wp-elements-c24f40017b012d51932006032d43a538\"><strong>Game Genre:<\/strong> VR, Educational, Simulation, Light Narrative<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-58619254 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"padding-top:0\"><br><strong>Game Identity<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-sml-medium-font-size wp-elements-b32cbc3c1f6fd63025f38926fb146b1d\" style=\"padding-right:0;padding-left:0\">A narrative-driven welding experience in which player uses welding tools to repair a damaged spacecraft and help it safely return to Earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-sml-medium-font-size wp-elements-8542e663d14d748cfebe44f3380ac44c\" style=\"padding-left:0\">The game adapts real-world welding techniques into accessible VR mechanics. Players practice core welding behaviors while progressing through story-driven repair tasks, using narrative context to spark curiosity and real-world interest in welding.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/art-moodboard-3-1024x768.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-39\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/art-moodboard-3-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/art-moodboard-3-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/art-moodboard-3-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/art-moodboard-3-1536x1151.png 1536w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/art-moodboard-3-2048x1535.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-base-2-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-base-2-background-color has-background is-style-dots\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Narrative Premise<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-sml-medium-font-size wp-elements-7c1b40c3b20a4d9a61cc2a1f162ab9fb\">A meteor cluster has critically damaged the spacecraft\u2019s hull and internal systems. Each successful welding task stabilizes the ship\u2019s structure and trajectory, bringing the crew one step closer to a safe return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-base-2-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-base-2-background-color has-background is-style-dots\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Gameplay Loop<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"531\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/gameplay-loop-1-1024x531.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-502\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/gameplay-loop-1-1024x531.png 1024w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/gameplay-loop-1-300x156.png 300w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/gameplay-loop-1-768x398.png 768w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/gameplay-loop-1.png 1350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-base-2-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-base-2-background-color has-background is-style-dots\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"637\" height=\"424\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/teens-and-young-adults.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/teens-and-young-adults.png 637w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/teens-and-young-adults-300x200.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 637px) 100vw, 637px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Target Audience<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-sml-medium-font-size wp-elements-ea2d8534ddf3132d489848d1dc5e1531\"><strong>Teens and young adults <\/strong><strong>(ages 15\u201321)<\/strong> who are preparing to learn welding but currently lack interest, confidence, or prior experience.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-base-2-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-base-2-background-color has-background is-style-dots\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Technical Direction<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:47% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"648\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/unity-1-1024x648.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-58 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/unity-1-1024x648.png 1024w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/unity-1-300x190.png 300w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/unity-1-768x486.png 768w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/unity-1.png 1390w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-sml-medium-font-size wp-elements-4c4ec041fe6ad25c98d17d15c1ec4cc6\">After testing and discussion, we finalized our game engine choice: <strong>Engine &#8211; Unity<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-sml-medium-font-size wp-elements-1c195a8e298706614211a2adcfefe858\"><strong>We chose Unity due to:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-sml-medium-font-size\"><strong>Strong XR support for Meta Quest 3<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-sml-medium-font-size\">Compatibility with our client\u2019s existing XR welding research<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-sml-medium-font-size\">Easier alignment with in-game welding evaluation metrics used in client\u2019s studies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-sml-medium-font-size wp-elements-e1b0a5e7303055c3b36afd101626e57e\">This decision allows us to move faster while staying consistent with the research context of the project.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This Week&#8217;s Goals In Week 5, we focused on: Ideation Game Genre: VR, Educational, Simulation, Light Narrative Game Identity A narrative-driven welding experience in which player uses welding tools to repair a damaged spacecraft and help it safely return to Earth. The game adapts real-world welding techniques into accessible VR mechanics. Players practice core welding [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":661,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-153","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-concepting"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=153"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":621,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153\/revisions\/621"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/661"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=153"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=153"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/sparksmith-studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=153"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}