Mobile game development for disaster management using VR

• Main Author: Banerjee, Preksha
• Other Authors: Wei Lei
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2021
• Subjects: Engineering::Electrical and electronic engineering
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/154334
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This project was undertaken with the objective of designing and developing a mobile game which aims to inculcate better disaster preparedness among children. In most school curriculums, Disaster Management is taught as theoretical subject, without real-time practice or implementation of the various Dos and Don’ts needed to be followed during certain disasters, such as an earthquake or a cyclone. Using Virtual Reality, this game creates various disaster-like simulations, where the player is tasked to respond quickly and efficiently to protect himself and mitigate the disaster in the process. The game was implemented using the Unity3D Game Engine (2019.4.28f1), with graphics and assets created using Blender as well as from the Unity Asset Store. The first version of the game, which has been developed so far, simulates two disaster scenarios – a fire, and an earthquake. It has been built for the Android platform, and is implemented using a VR Box headset, which simulates the three-dimensional virtual reality environment, and a Bluetooth controller, which is used to interact with the objects within the environment, and for navigation of the character. This paper will focus on the storyboarding, design, and implementation process of each scenario, as well as the challenges encountered in the process. There is research to prove that even though Disaster Management is a subject which is incorporated in most school curriculums, the overall awareness regarding the subject is quite low across different countries. Furthermore, the level of disaster preparedness and readiness, especially among children is even lower in percentage. This game aims to teach children the Dos and Don’ts to be followed during certain disasters, with real-time practice and implementation.