Chris also provided feedback on our character design:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- He appreciated the patterns we used but suggested incorporating brighter colors to make the visuals more vibrant.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- He recommended that the character be more confident and humorous, helping build a stronger connection with players.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Adding a celebration ceremony at the end of the game could reinforce a sense of achievement and fun, encouraging positive reinforcement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/step-up\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/image-2-1024x471.png\")
Current Character Design<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n These insights will guide our next steps as we refine the character design and gameplay elements to align better with the preferences of our target audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eric Buron<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Yawen also had a productive interview with Eric Buron, who has lived in Musanze for four years and founded a community program called Turabizo. His program, developed with local people, offers six studios: Film, Food, Fitness, Mentorship, Art, and Lodging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since our past SMEs were based in Kigali, Eric provided valuable insights into life in Musanze, a smaller, more rural town:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Community Life: Musanze feels more like a small town, with only a few main roads, and everything is easily accessible by foot or bike. Eric shared that the locals made him feel like part of a big family, which motivated him to stay and help the community.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Children\u2019s Access to Technology: Many children in Musanze enjoy technology, but access is limited. Most only have basic track phones for communication, and even public schools don\u2019t have tech devices. When exposed to modern technology like smartphones, the kids were amazed by how unfamiliar it seemed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Daily Activities and Interests: During their free time, kids in the program enjoy playing football, collecting scrap metal to sell, and swimming in rivers (though these rivers, formed by volcanic water, can become dangerous when it rains).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Eric expressed a strong interest in our project and is willing to meet with us again before our trip to Rwanda, offering further insights into the needs and challenges of children in Musanze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/step-up\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/image-4-1024x577.png\")
These are all the SMEs the team had talked with.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Game Development<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Our main focus has been completing the prototype for Mini-Game 2<\/strong> before the next playtesting session. The concept is simple but engaging: the player rides a soap bar while surfing across a giant foot, aiming to defeat as many germs as possible along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Art<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Our artists conducted thorough research on the common germs found on feet that can cause diseases. Using these references, they\u2019ve started creating 3D models of the germs to add more authenticity and educational value to the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/step-up\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/image.png\")
Research about the germs<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n \n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/step-up\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/image-1.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nProgramming<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Tyler, our programmer, has been working hard to perfect the surfing mechanics<\/strong>. One of the key challenges has been ensuring the player stays attached to the foot\u2019s surface\u2014even when they slide to the bottom. It was no easy task, but Tyler managed to overcome it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Below is a sneak peek of Mini-Game 2 in action:<\/p>\n\n\n\n