The Hunger Theorist
Presentation of the Hunger Theorist at Narrascope 2022
Client
Needing no introduction, but we’ll give it a shot: Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational technology corporation which produces computer software, consumer electronics, personal computers, and related services.
Microsoft wanted to reinforce skills learned during an internal leadership development program and thought gameplay would be the right tool for the job.
Since it was at the height of global pandemic, what started as a conversation about in-person escape games evolved quickly into an online / virtual event.
Brief
The client needed a bespoke game design and a game designer capable of sourcing, supplying, and augmenting their own in-house capabilities to run a 1.5 hour game completely integrated with their existing event plans and systems.
It was crucial the game reinforce key learning outcomes from prior events and also integrate with their existing systems.
The game was going to be delivered live to over 1,000 players across a number of events, reaching globally.
Approach
We devised an online game with similar mechanics to escape games (solving puzzles to unlock gated challenges and narrative). A mixture of logical, entertaining, and moral challenges were supported by a premise that a “friendly A.I.” was trying to save the world by altering our food sources.
Challenge Paths
New challenges were opened to players on a central hub based on timed-release, alongside video content advancing the narrative with multiple possible endings.
Challenge paths required teamwork and communication, completing multiple steps, exploration, collection, and sharing of knowledge, and concluded with players discussing and answering uncomfortable questions.
Modern Problems Require Modern Solutions
Twine, Unity, WebGL, video, PDFs, website builders, various online AI tools to build the game. We always favour widely available, accessible, and reliable tools considering this game was to be enjoyed live - if something went wrong it couldn’t be show-stopping. The game must go on!
It Takes a Village
Game Designer, web designer, graphic designer, programmer, writer, producer, director, actors, crew, editor, audio designer, copywriter…
A lot goes into making this kind of experience, plus we had the added challenge of a lengthy Covid lockdown in Toronto. Everyone worked remotely, including the video production.
Results
The 2 hour game, with 22 possible video endings based on player results, was rated by participants as the most memorable activity of the 4 day program. Players also said used the skills learned in the event to be successful in the game.
We would have liked to include more real A.I. and advanced technology into the game, but given the short timeline we were engaged on the flawless execution of a tremendously enriching game experience was a huge win.Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.