Constructing Change
A light-hearted platformer where students haphazardly roll and tumble construction objects around a jobsite, learning about the construction industry in an engaging way. Made in collaboration with AWIC (Awesome Women in Construction).
ROLE
Lead designer: gameplay design, whiteboxing, narrative and set dressing
TEAM
Inspira Games, team of 4: two designers, a programmer and an artist, with AWIC as client
ENGINE
Unity
PROJECT
University client project, 10 weeks, 2023
Level Design and Whiteboxing
• Designed and built the levels, whitebox to set dressing
• Level 1 is a site manager's desk: linear, with the whole level in view
• Players return to the site manager for each new objective
• Later levels share one jobsite that evolves with the player's work
Narrative and Characters
• Narrative lead: women in each role guide the build of AWIC's new HQ
• One phase per level: planning, structure, mechanical and electrical, interiors
• Recurring characters keep dialogue snappy and easy to digest
Designing for the Audience
• For 14 to 16 year old girls who rarely consider construction careers
• Similar controls across objects, so nothing feels like starting over
• Three playtest rounds balanced silly gameplay with education
• Presented the project to AWIC staff
What I Took From It
• My impact: led the design, kept the team's tasks on track, and presented the game to the client
• Education lands better when it doesn't feel like schoolwork or being spoken down to
• Peer mentor: "Really capitalising on something unique and fun"
• This brief confirmed my interest in designing games for impact
Credits
Inspira Games, with AWIC (Awesome Women in Construction) as client
Lachlan Taylor: Lead Designer
Guang Yang: Designer
Jake Harkins: Programmer
Mirelle Mimiague: Artist
