![164947-Thumbnail Image.png](https://d1rbsgppyrdqq4.cloudfront.net/s3fs-public/styles/width_400/public/2022-05/164947-thumbnail-image.png?versionId=cLcvrkIQa04mWDb3FrzKXSWUJzPlpdKn&X-Amz-Content-Sha256=UNSIGNED-PAYLOAD&X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIASBVQ3ZQ42ZLA5CUJ/20240617/us-west-2/s3/aws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20240617T161542Z&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Expires=120&X-Amz-Signature=e20d978837b8c90e1a45f9655c038fc1b3e06f683fc56731852d85cb35f7ffec&itok=gtiyLwls)
Description
For my thesis, I developed an educational video game titled Cannon Quest. Based around a thought experiment proposed in 1687 by Sir Isaac Newton, Cannon Quest allows players to explore a miniature, 2-dimensional solar system using real physics and gravity. My principle goal was to create an interactive model of orbital motion, with some game/simulation elements. This allows players who are totally unfamiliar with orbital mechanics to gain at least a rudimentary understanding simply by playing the game.
While the educational model was my primary goal, care was taken to ensure that Cannon Quest functions as a playable simulator. I developed my own user interface (UI), control setup, and art, as well as integrating music and animation for a more complete user experience. I also spent a significant amount of time balancing the gameplay aspects with the real physics, occasionally sacrificing reality where needed to ensure a better experience. The resulting product is simple and straightforward, while retaining much of the nuances of actual orbital motion.
I also developed a website to host Cannon Quest, and better direct my playtesters from a single hub. You can visit this website at www.cannonquest.carrd.co.
Alternatively, you can visit https://possiblymatthew.itch.io/cannon-quest or https://github.com/matthewbenjamin22/Cannon-Quest to play the game.
Details
Title
- Cannon Quest: An Educational Video Game Intended to Teach the Principles of Orbital Mechanics to an Everyday Audience
Contributors
- Benjamin, Matthew (Author)
- Kobayashi, Yoshihiro (Thesis director)
- Feng, Xuerong (Committee member)
- Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
- Computer Science and Engineering Program (Contributor)
- Historical, Philosophical & Religious Studies, Sch (Contributor)
Date Created
The date the item was original created (prior to any relationship with the ASU Digital Repositories.)
2022-05
Subjects
Resource Type
Collections this item is in