Project Shiphunt Case Study

Robert Bader

Project Shiphunt Case Study

A $1,000,000 reward competition to find 6 hidden Ship Wrecks across Google Oceans!

 

UNIT9 - Project Shiphunt Case Study

UNIT9 - Project Shiphunt Case Study

The Game comes as a Facebook App, accessible by anyone on the planet to search the planet.

The Player has to install the Google Earth Plugin to hunt the Ship Wrecks and claim the winnings.

Brief:

 

One of the first ever full story-based games created in Google Earth.

UNIT9 was approached by 180 Los Angeles to provide an immersive online experience that takes the user along the journey with shiphunters to find a lost shipwreck at sea, for the chance to win a real loot and all this powered with Sony and Intel Technology.

This was a challenging task, since we had to stretched the Google Earth Plugin capabilities, which were never intended to be used as a gaming platform, to provide a fluid gaming experience.

Our Approach:

We split the experience into two Phases. Phase 1 is the Game: Shiphunt and Phase 2 is about the expedition: Gold Hunt.

Shiphunt

UNIT9 - Project Shiphunt Case Study

Using the Google Earth plugin, the user is challenged to find the locations of six Ship Wrecks spread across the globe in different locations – each surrounded by their own story – starting from their current location. The first challenge is to research and find the area where the ships have gone missing. Once arrived at the site, a submarine style sonar scanner will provide a better idea of direction and distance. The final steps are under water, where a marker is to be found on the sea bed, representing the location of the Ship Wreck.

This challenge is time based, the faster you manage to find each location the better. A weekly price draw for the fastest find would encourage users to return to the site and play the game again.

Gold Hunt

UNIT9 - Project Shiphunt Case Study

The site now offer an exclusive look below the sea. An updated video intro, a 3D model of the ship to be explored, a rich diary from the expedition which can be played back chronologically using Google Earth’s timeline feature, historical and technical layers about the ship and scanning technology – the site will hold plenty both for it’s Facebook fan base and new users.

Controls:

The user can choose to play the game using either the keyboard or mouse.

UNIT9 - Project Shiphunt Case Study

The moment when the players starts the mission, and therefore makes the first moves within the Google Earth environment, they’ll receive on-screen navigational instruction.

UNIT9 - Project Shiphunt Case Study

Air and Water:

UNIT9 - Project Shiphunt Case Study

The Player can free roam across the planet by Air and Water. We have added logic physics to the navigation, where the player can move faster, the more altitude they have. By holding down the mouse at the top of the screen or pressing the ‘UP’ button on the keyboard, the player will rise in altitude.

The opposite controls are used to fall and eventually to dive into the oceans and proceed underwater.

UNIT9 - Project Shiphunt Case Study

Navigation:

UNIT9 - Project Shiphunt Case Study

Map.

This map of the world with its orientation features, makes it easy for the player to understand their location and the direction of movement.

Speed.

This speed indicator helps the player to keep control over their battery usage, since the higher the speed the bigger the usage.

Pressure.

It will keep players from flying too high or diving to deep. If the help of a Power-up, Players need to find the a successful balance.

Radar.

The compass / radar tool indicates to the player if there are any hidden objects (e.g. Power-ups) in close proximity.

Power-ups:

Through out the game the player can choose to collect Power-ups icons spread across the world. Each power-up is an important part in finding the Ship Wreck the fastest.

UNIT9 - Project Shiphunt Case Study

During the player’s journey around the globe, they will come across these markers. Once the player has approached it, also visible on the provided scanner, they can simply click on it to activate the Power-up.

UNIT9 - Project Shiphunt Case StudyUNIT9 - Project Shiphunt Case Study

Sony marker – You’ve upgraded to the new Sony VAIO SA series with Blu-ray. See the world more clearly as your software runs smoothly.

ROV marker – You’ve unlocked the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). Dive underwater for longer periods of time.

Turbo marker – You’ve upgraded to the Intel Core i7 processor, increasing your scanner’s range.

UNIT9 - Project Shiphunt Case Study

Intel marker – You’ve upgraded to the Intel Core i7 processor, increasing your scanner’s range.

Ship marker – You’ve unlocked the vessel upgrade. Travel around the globe faster.

Battery marker – You’ve upgraded to the new Sony VAIO lithium polymer battery. Never worry about battery life again.

Scanner Booster upgrade message:

UNIT9 - Project Shiphunt Case Study

When the player clicks on a power-up icon in the game, a pop-up message will appear explaining which upgrade has been gathered and how Sony and Intel have developed this technology to be applied in the real world.

Discovery

UNIT9 - Project Shiphunt Case Study

Step by step, closing in on the Ship Wreck’s location until the underwater icon is visible…

UNIT9 - Project Shiphunt Case Study

The Players will decrease the search area by collecting the necessary icons. With
enough fuel, the right pressure and good orientation, nothing will stand in the way of the Ship Wreck’s discovery, but time will decide whether a real loot has been won.

Mobile + iPad:

Mobile and iPad version of the campaign is available.

UNIT9 - Project Shiphunt Case Study

The mobile version of the Facebook Game isn’t the game, but contains the background story of the expedition and the opportunity to directly enter the price draw.

UNIT9 - Project Shiphunt Case Study

Social:

Facebook and Twitter sharing is essential to attract a wide audience.

UNIT9 - Project Shiphunt Case Study

Players are able to share the time it took them to find the Shipreck and other progressions within the game, with their Friends and Followers on Facebook and Twitter.

UNIT9 - Project Shiphunt Case Study

The Result:

People travelled over 3 Trillion Miles!

Over 1,000,000 Facebook Likes!

Gamed an average of 12 minutes!

Hidden Treasures on the Map.

UNIT9 - Project Shiphunt Case Study

Players start to appear from 6 spawn locations.

UNIT9 - Project Shiphunt Case Study

UNIT9 - Project Shiphunt Case Study

UNIT9 - Project Shiphunt Case Study

The thicker line around South America represents a winning player!

UNIT9 - Project Shiphunt Case Study

UNIT9 - Project Shiphunt Case Study

UNIT9 - Project Shiphunt Case Study

Over 1,000,000 journeys made.

UNIT9 - Project Shiphunt Case Study


Credits