Eläinten jäljillä
Explore the world of animals through immersive games
"Eläinten jäljillä" exhibition, hosted by Oulun Tietomaa and developed in collaboration with Clever Simulation Entertainment, is an immersive and interactive experience that brings the wonders of nature to life.
This exhibition features a variety of game environments designed to educate and entertain visitors of all ages. The exhibition aims to provide a unique opportunity to explore and interact with virtual representations of wildlife and their habitats.
Gameplay
The "Eläinten jäljillä" exhibition features seven different games, each offering a distinct gameplay experience:
In fish ladder, the player guides a fish upstream, navigating through fish ladders by using pressure sensors to control the fish’s movement and jumps. In bird migration, you control a lead bird in a V-formation, mimicking its movements using a camera-based control system to stay in formation and score points.
The sneaking game requires the player to quietly move through a virtual marsh to photograph animals without startling them. This is done using an EMFI mat to detect your movements. In the game Catch!, you control a frog’s tongue to catch flies and spiders using dance mat-like foot controls. The goal is to catch as many as possible within the time limit.
Animal Symphony allows you to create a symphony of nature sounds by selecting and playing various animal sounds on a touchscreen interface. The Recognition Quiz challenges you to identify animals in distorted images or videos in a quiz format, using button controls to answer quickly and accurately. Lastly, the snake questionnaire is more of an informational tool than a game, asking visitors whether they have spotted any snakes around Finland.
Game Design
Each game in the "Tracking Animals" exhibition is designed with realism and educational value in mind. Utilizing Unreal Engine 5, the games feature high-quality 3D models and animations that accurately represent natural environments and animal behaviors.
The intuitive controls, from pressure sensors to camera-based systems, ensure an engaging and accessible experience for all visitors. The games are designed to be progressively challenging, maintaining visitor interest and encouraging repeated play.
The physical control system are build by the staff of Tietomaa Science Center and all game content and data integration interfaces are created by the game team.
These elements combine to create an exhibition that is not only visually stunning but also deeply engaging and educational. Visitors will leave with a greater appreciation for wildlife and the complexities of animal behavior, all while having enjoyed a series of fun and challenging games.