Thesis

Nuclear Reactor Simulator is a two-part experience demonstrating the safety of a modern power plant. The goal is to design two very distinct spaces to show that the stereotypes of nuclear reactors are very different from what they actually are. We hope that our project will be able to dispel fears about nuclear power plants and encourage players to learn more about them.

Precedent Image

The idea of learning about the chemistry of nuclear energy was very appealing in the beginning

The Simpsons

A well-known and relatable show that would help the audience connect with the game

Nuclear energy

Research & Inspiration

Nuclear energy

• Complicated, but worth it for the environment

Inspired Design Choice

• The inner workings of a power plant are not commonly known

Power plant design

• Very sterile environment, mostly run by machines

Inspired Design Choice

• Gamify the gray, plain environment for better player experience

• Have players interact with multiple games that simulate a simplified enviroment

First Concept Sketches

claw machine game

coolant release game

original design of a power plant game where players would learn about refining uranium ore into fuel rods

power input/output game

What Worked?

What Didn't?

1. The office
2. The mini games
3. The idea of reality versus a cartoon

1. The claw machine
2. Having all games in one room

First Prototype

Small office-styled room with Simpsons theme

Prototype #

Final Photos

Change #1: a more realistic look

Change #3: redesign of reactor room

The idea of the whole game being a cartoon lost the idea

The room was redesigned to function better and have more detail

Change #2: an easier build

With the addition of a reactor room, the build became a lot more manageable

Multi room game about refining uranium

Too difficult, move to one office and 3 games

Fuel rod disposal, coolant release, and balancing energy

Nuclear

Reactor

Simulator

Added new room for reactor to make building easier

(rated 4.9 on Steam)

Final Result

Reflecting & Looking Forward...

In the middle of the project, we almost completely scrapped what we had and had to sacrifice a lot of the interactive elements because of it, so if we were to go back we would put more into the interactive and less into the environment.

We should have come in with lower expectations. If we had done this, we would have been able to spend less time focusing on elements that we wouldn't use and more time improving upon the ones we would use.

Questions?