The Games for Change 2020 Festival came alive as a fully digital 3D world developed in Unity at Virtual Planet Technologies, drawing global participants and significant media attention.
Introduction
The Games for Change Festival has always stood as a testament to the power of gaming as a tool for social impact, education, and community-building. In 2020, due to the global pandemic, the festival took on a new challenge: to transition from a physical event to a virtual one. This led to the creation of an innovative project while I was at Virtual Planet Technologies, which saw the festival transformed into a 3D virtual world.
Challenge
The challenge was twofold: creating an engaging digital counterpart of the traditionally physical festival and designing it in a way that could connect participants from all corners of the globe. As a level designer, my responsibility was to design the structure and flow of this virtual environment, encompassing aspects such as aesthetics, gameplay mechanics, and narrative elements. In other words, I was responsible for creating an accessible, intuitive, and engaging virtual space where festival-goers could experience the event fully.
Solution
Using the Unity game engine, I developed a comprehensive 3D virtual world, replicating the immersive and interactive experience of a physical festival. The platform, with its carefully designed levels, enabled countless participants worldwide to connect, navigate the virtual festival space with ease, engage in various activities, and interact with other attendees. The digital design not only allowed for an effective adaptation to the pandemic constraints but also expanded the festival's reach to a truly global audience.
Conclusion
The Games for Change 2020 digital festival was a resounding success, garnering significant media attention, including features in Folha de São Paulo, Band, and various digital media outlets. The project not only managed to maintain the festival's core essence in a fully digital environment but also demonstrated the power and potential of well-executed level design in creating engaging, immersive, and interactive digital spaces. This venture stands as a testament to how digital technology can facilitate global connectivity and collaborative problem-solving in challenging times.