Michael Denhart
Game Designer
NASA Kids
Lead Game Designer
Designed as an interactive experience for ages 8 and up I led a team of 3 designers to bring an engaging and whimsical experience to the game. For this project I designed modular interactive floating objects, an interactive carousel of classic space suits, and an interactive camera system that could be placed around the station. I also optimized all lighting systems and used static and animating decals to bring life to the station and capture the essence as described by NASA.
I continually worked with the concept artists, UX/UI artists, and 3D artists to ensure a cohesive experience for the user optimizing touch controls on tablet and portable devices. The game is filled with interactive puzzles, hidden objects, and interactive displays to allow users to have fun while learning about the International Space Station and the Astrobee robots used on the station.
Designing the Game
Taking the project from a proof of concept to interactive experience was an amazing experience. Working with the concept team, 3D modelers, and my team of designers brought the essence of the International Space Station to life.
Designing the Mechanics
With a focus on the age range of 8 and up mechanics were designed to be simple and functional on either a PC or touch display. Many of the mechanics focused on the manipulation of a floating object blueprint I originally coded.
With a focus on balancing education and fun many portions of the game had small interactive experiences. I designed a rotating carousel that would update the UI providing information on the suit focused on.