This year, Simulation Australasia, in association with the International Serious Games Showcase and Challenge (ISGS&C), hosted the fourth annual Simulation Australasian round of the Serious Games Showcase and Challenge (SGS&C); Part of the SimTecT and SimHealth 2015 Conference in Adelaide from the 17th until the 21st of August. The 2015 challenge received a record number of entries representing a wide range of topics; from bullying and hacking to identifying medicine, paramedic emergency practices, promoting sun smarts, stroke rehabilitation and explaining the desalination process. Both of this year’s categories were won by Adelaide developers.
Taking out the top prize in the Government / Industry category was Monkeystack with Project Desal; a game which teaches children about the desalination process from ocean to tap. Players learn about the role of each component of the desalination plant, then place components in the correct order before testing their completed arrangement. Points are awarded for players who complete the plant quickly and with minimal attempts, with bonuses for those who read all of the component descriptions and discover bonus facts. You must use listening, reading, logic and problem solving skills to complete the game.
Monkeystack is a multiple award winning team of digital media and entertainment specialists with experience in delivering linear and interactive projects alike. Having worked with commercial clients, broadcasters and game publishers, the team’s proven capability ranges games, mobile applications, web, dedicated AV, augmented reality and virtual reality. “Monkeystack has been developing interactive entertainment since 2004,” said Justin Wight, company director, Monkeystack. “But as a studio we also produce animations and other visual content to inform and educate. Project Desal was an opportunity to blend our experience in both of these fields in an engaging way, and we’re honoured to have received such an accolade for our work.”
Student / Indie category winner Hacknet by Team Fractal Alligator sees you enter the world of ‘Bit’ and follow his story, learning about the fundamentals of Linux based terminal commands and hacking techniques. Hacknet is currently available on Steam.
Project Desal and Hacknet will now represent Australasia at the International SGS&C in Orlando, Florida as part of I/ITSEC, held from the 30th November until the 4th December 2015.
Project Desal is available free for iPad from the App Store.
Source: Simulation Australasia and Monkeystack
