ChallengerCenter-Mars - Pixeldust Studios

An interactive and educational augmented reality experience, Mars Community Builder allows middle school kids and older to learn about the challenges of establishing a self-sustainable community on Mars. This experience contains rich media and allows users to build their very own AR community.

Executive Producers: Ricardo Andrade, Elizabeth Andrade
Creative Director: Ricardo Andrade
Head of Development: Samar Shool
Game Developer: Roland Womack
UI Designer/Art Director: Manuel Messerli
Lead Animator: Andy Hencken

TAKING STEM EDUCATION ABOVE AND BEYOND

Mars Community Builder allows users to explore the possibilities and challenges of establishing a permanent base on Mars. This interactive experience allows users to learn about Mars and take part in a step-by-step building process that could one day be used to help make an interplanetary community a reality.

Building a base on Mars will require a variety of building modules and equipment to provide services to the astronauts. Inhabitants of a Mars community will need food, fuel, water, energy, and oxygen. The first part of your mission is to learn about the different types of equipment at your disposal. Pay close attention to the characteristics and features of the building modules and equipment. You will have an opportunity to explore all space building modules individually using VR and/or AR technology.

In part two of your mission, you will use AR technology to put your equipment knowledge to the test. Here, you’ll assemble your own community. Carefully choose the equipment to lay out your own community. When you’re finished, your Mars community will be evaluated for sustainability.

GAMEPLAY

1.

Explore Mars planet in AR and discover various landing sites and other info right on your desk!

2.

Explore the Mobile Habitat Lander that allows the crew to land safely on Mars and transports astronauts from one place to another on the Martian surface.

3.

Spin around the Communications Center that allows astronauts on Mars to stay in touch with people on Earth.

4.

Have fun exploring the Greenhouse where they grow plants for cleaning air, producing oxygen, and for growing food for crew members.

5.

Pop the Earth Return Pad right on top of your desk. The pad assists crew members to launch from and land on the surface of Mars!

6.

Building a base on Mars will require a variety of equipment, both equipment to provide services to humans and production equipment used to produce food, fuel, water, energy and oxygen, in order to support human community building efforts.

7.

Your equipment knowledge will be helpful for the successful completion of your mission. Carefully choose the equipment and layout of your community, it will be evaluated for sustainability as you make Mars Community One a reality.