FORT DISCOVER
THE STORY: Children’s play areas at many venues lack true stimulation of both the mind and body. There needs to be an opportunity to learn as well as expend some physical energy. Combining educational touchscreens, tracing tables, an interactive costume experience, imaginative play areas, a rocket launcher, and a multi-tower climbing experience gives every kid their own way to discover something new. The client’s only request: incorporate the Army’s mascot, the mule, into the experience.
MY ROLE: As Creative Director, I oversaw the design and development of all the experiences and named Fort Discover. The internal design and fabrication team built the structures while I led our creative and education teams in crafting the experiences. Additionally, along with a talented Producer, I led the design and development of the touchscreen interactives and the Camo Camera uniform experience with the team at SkyWatch.
AGENCY:The Scenic Route
Innovation Stations and Entrance to Play Area
ATTRACT AND SELECT SCREEN
Players choose from four educational modules based on historic Army innovations. Famous Army mascots Blackjack and Buckshot encourage players through voice over and text. Background music and simple animations keep the experience fun.
CANAL CRAZINESS INTRODUCTION
Each game starts with a stated objective delivered by one of the Army mascots. The Settings button allows the player to adjust the audio level and/or pause the game. The basis for this module is the Army‘s completion of the Panama Canal .
CANAL CRAZINESS INSTRUCTION SCREEN
Pressing the “?” button at any time during the game brings up a static screen with easy guidance on how to harness the functions of the experience. The player will complete three sequences to bring the boat through the canal‘s locks.
CANAL CRAZINESS 1
Blackjack‘s boat moves forward automatically until it‘s stopped by the lock‘s gate. Two other Army mules stand ready to open and close the lock‘s gates at the player‘s command.
CANAL CRAZINESS 2
The player pushes the CLOSE button and sees the mules in the tower move the lever to start the gears closing the rear gate. Then the player holds the FILL button opening the valve to let water in until the lock is filled to the correct level.
CANAL CRAZINESS 3
When the lock is full, the player pushes the OPEN button, the tower mules move the lever, the gears move, the front gate opens, and Blackjack moves into the next lock or into Gatun Lake on his way to the locks leading to the Pacific. Success!
HIGHWAY HAY HUNT INSTRUCTION SCREEN
This game is based on the Army‘s successful engineering of the Interstate Highway System. The gameplay helps players understand how the roads they see from the family car help get them where they want to go.
HIGHWAY HAY HUNT INTRODUCTION
The game‘s stated goal is to help Blackjack move across the country by dragging and dropping roads and bridges along the major highway system to get to the hay. The same hay that was delivered after Blackjack crossed the Panama Canal.
HIGHWAY HAY HUNT 1
The game offers directional hints for the player to consider at each intersection before placing a bridge of section of road. The topographically accurate layout shows the real obstacles any route presents.
HIGHWAY HAY HUNT 2
As the player builds the route from the National Army Museum in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, an interstate sign pops on as each section is completed, adding to the experience's educational value.
HOT-AIR HIDE-N-SEEK INSTRUCTION SCREEN
The Army‘s early use of hot air balloons for surveillance is the basis for this game module. The player will tap and hold the arrow button just long enough to help Blackjack sail over obstacles or lower the balloon as needed.
HOT-AIR HIDE-N-SEEK 1
Five Army mascots are hiding in various places on the Army base. The balloon continually floats forward allowing the player to concentrate on its elevation. The tally bar shows the player‘s progress in finding the hiding mascots.
HOT-AIR HIDE-N-SEEK 2
Obstacles add some challenge to safely maneuvering the balloon‘s “finding beam” directly over the target. Too high and the mascot won‘t be “found.” Too low, and the balloon will stuck on an obstacle.
HOT-AIR HIDE-N-SEEK 3
Some added silliness keeps the player engaged as they find they now have to float even higher to get over an obstacle. As the balloon gains altitude, it also gains speed, adding more challenge along with more excitement.
MOBILE PHONE MULES INSTRUCTION SCREEN
This game module is based on the Army‘s early adoption of cell phones in the field. The tutorial shows the player how to aim the signal from one dish to a nearby dish to create a link.
MOBILE PHONE MULES INTRODUCTION
The stated goal of the game is to create a link between all of the dishes to get a message to Blackjack about the Hot-Air Hide-N-Seek game they will all be playing.
MOBILE PHONE MULES 1
The player moves each dish to aim the message link along the chain. The mascot-piloted helicopter and truck are also movable. These vehicles represent how the Army actually used trucks and helicopters to aid in linked communication.
MOBILE PHONE MULES 2
Levels get increasingly complex and the game progresses to keep the player engaged. As the signal finally bounces to Blackjack we hear Buckshot ask, “Do you read me?” and Blackjack‘s triumphant, “I read you loud and clear!”
Army Innovation Wall and Interactive Screens
Tracing and Drawing Table
Fort Discover Play Area
Shape Conveyor
Mini Mess Hall
Build-The-Base Imaginative Play Area
Looking Toward ELC‘s Assembly Area
