SUMMARY:
Game Title: CUPRUM
Platform: PC/ Laptop
Target Audience: 12+ years old
PROJECT OVERVIEW:
An interactive VR experience that brings Cypriot folklore to life in virtual reality. This could involve creating accurate 3D reconstructions of archaeological sites, traditional architecture, and historical artifacts, allowing users to explore and interact with them in a virtual museum setting. This VR experience is unique and innovative because it immerses users in the life of Cypriot folklore through well crafted 3D assets of archaeological sites, traditional architecture, and historical artifacts. By blending virtual reality technology with cultural heritage, the game offers a unique, interactive educational journey, allowing users to explore and engage with the history and mythology of Cyprus in an authentic way. This fusion of storytelling and technology not only showcases ancient traditions, but also provides an engaging platform for learning and cultural appreciation, setting itself apart from usual educational tools or entertainment media.
Game Progression: 3 levels of the game which represents each stage of the Bronze age in Cyprus and their influences for other countries. ( Early, middle and late ages)
GAMEPLAY AND MECHANICS:
Core Mechanics: walkthrough, grap artifacts, take part in the daily life of the village.
Game Modes: First person controller
Character Abilities: transfer/ explore the village, find artifacts, take part in burial procedures or sacrifices to gods in their temples.
STORY/SETTING:
In this interactive VR experience, players discover an ancient village in Cyprus, transporting them back to the Bronze Age. They travel through three recreated eras - Early, Middle and Late Bronze Age - each influenced by interactions with neighboring cultures. As players explore the village, they participate in daily life and take part in rituals such as burials and sacrifices to the gods. By discovering artifacts and interacting with historical figures, players uncover the rich mythology and historical significance of the island, ensuring the preservation of the heritage of Cypriot culture.
World Description: The VR experience is set in a single village that presents the three stages of the Bronze Age in Cyprus. In the Early Bronze Age, the village is characterized by simple, round mud-brick houses clustered around a central communal area, with key landmarks such as a rudimentary market and a sacred temple where villagers worship primitive idols. After the transition to the Middle Bronze Age, the architecture became more sophisticated with rectangular stone houses featuring courtyards and storage areas, reflecting increased trade and cultural exchange. Key sites include a large market filled with merchants and an elaborate temple adorned with intricate carvings dedicated to the gods. By the Late Bronze Age, the village exhibited an advanced urban design with stone houses with many rooms. This evolving village not only represents the architectural and social advances of each era but also brings to life the vibrant culture of ancient Cyprus.
Characters: Artifacts, pottery, hunting and kitchen equipment
UI/UX:
Visual Style: Ancient Cyprus, earth color palette with red being the main color used for the artifacts
Environment Designs/ Set list:
Early Bronze Age
Concept Art Description:
The Early Bronze Age level features a village with modest, round mud-brick houses scattered about. The village is surrounded by rolling hills and dense, ancient forests. Simple paths made of packed earth cross the village, connecting the houses to the common areas.
Key locations:
Central Community Space: A large open space where villagers gather for meetings, festivals and market days. A stone hearth in the center serves as a focal point for communal cooking and storytelling.
Sacred Grove: A small, peaceful forest clearing with stone altars and primitive idols where villagers come to worship and make offerings to their gods.
Middle Bronze Age
Concept Art Description:
The Middle Bronze Age level shows a more structured village with rectangular stone houses. The environment includes cultivated fields and terraced gardens that reflect developments in agriculture. The village bustles with activity under a bright midday sun and increased commerce is evident with the presence of traders and artisans.
Key locations:
Market: A lively market full of stalls where villagers trade goods such as pottery, textiles and metals.
Ornate Temple: A beautifully decorated stone temple with detailed carvings and frescoes depicting scenes from mythology and everyday life. Inside, villagers perform rituals and ceremonies to honor their gods.
Late Bronze Age
Concept Art Description:
The Late Bronze Age level presents an advanced, fortified village with multi-roomed stone houses and a complex urban design. The village overlooks a sparkling sea under a golden sunset, reflecting the height of its seamanship. The scenery includes paved roads, defensive walls and watchtowers.
Key locations:
Temple Complex: A series of interconnected temples where elaborate rituals and sacrifices take place. The complex is decorated with statues, altars and sacred symbols, highlighting the spiritual and cultural complexity of the time.
User Experience:
User Flow:
Entry point: Overview from the village.
Introductory scene for navigation, controls and historical background.
Navigation: teleport.
Interactive points: glowing icons, objects.
Task completion: burial procedures, artifact offer in the temples.
Visual clues, audio.
Users:
Scenario 1: The History Enthusiast
Name: Alex
Age: 34
Occupation: History Teacher
VR Experience Level: Intermediate
Goals: To learn detailed historical facts and see accurate reconstructions of Bronze Age Cyprus.
Journey:
Entry and Orientation:
Alex enters the VR environment and completes a brief tutorial on the controls and navigation. He receives an introduction about the Bronze Ages in Cyprus, highlighting the three stages: Early, Middle, and Late.
Exploration and Learning:
Alex starts exploring the Early Bronze Age village, examining houses and artifacts. He interacts with information points that provide detailed descriptions and historical context. He most probably uses the map feature to navigate to significant locations like the temple or workshops.
Task Participation:
He takes part in a pottery-making task in a workshop, learning about the materials and techniques used. Then he moves to the Middle Bronze Age area and participates in a burial procedure, placing grave goods and understanding the rituals.
Artifact Offering:
In the Late Bronze Age section, Alex selects an artifact and offers it at the temple.
Reflection and Exit:
Alex concludes the experience by visiting a summary screen showing the key historical insights gained. Exits the VR environment, feeling enriched with detailed historical knowledge.
Scenario 2: The Casual Visitor
Name: Sarah
Age: 27
Occupation: Marketing Professional
VR Experience Level: Beginner
Goals: To enjoy an immersive experience and learn basic facts about Bronze Age Cyprus.
Journey:
Entry and Orientation:
Sarah enters the VR environment and receives a simple, intuitive tutorial on basic controls and navigation. An introductory voiceover provides a brief overview of the Bronze Ages.
Guided Tour:
She follows a guided tour path marked with red arrows, taking her through key locations in the Early, Middle, and Late Bronze Age spots. At each location, brief audio and visual prompts provide interesting facts and stories about daily life.
Interactive Highlights:
She engages with a few highlighted interactive elements. Activities are simple and designed to be completed quickly, giving a sense of accomplishment.
Cultural Rituals:
She participates in a simplified ritual at the temple where she dedicates an artifact.
Completion and Exit:
She concludes the experience by visiting a summary screen showing the key historical insights gained. Exits the VR environment, having enjoyed a relaxed and educational experience.
Scenario 3: The Student
Name: Mark
Age: 16
Occupation: High School Student
VR Experience Level: Advanced
Goals: To complete a school project on Bronze Age Cyprus with an engaging and informative experience.
Journey:
Entry and Orientation:
He enters the VR environment, skips the tutorial since he's familiar with VR controls, but listens to the introduction for context.
Focused Exploration:
He uses the map to quickly navigate to specific areas relevant to his project, such as residential buildings and the temple.
Detailed Tasks:
He completes his exploration of the village and searches for information on each figurine.
Final Presentation:
He concludes the experience by visiting a summary screen showing the key historical insights gained. Exits the VR environment, equipped with detailed content and visuals for his school project.
User Interface (UI):
Start screen: menu (start, exit, settings, quit)
Visual UI theme
Simple heads-up display
Icons: inventory, objective, map
Interaction prompts such as: press” x” to pick an object
Info for object/tasks
SOUNDTRACK/ BACKGROUND MUSIC:
Sound Effects: atmospheric, daily life sounds.
Music: folkore, nature sounds.
Voice Acting: Information about artifacts and navigation on voiceovers.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
Platform Requirements: VR Headset, PC or Laptop
Engine: Unreal Engine, Blender
TESTING:
Make tests with people that are from Cyprus and people that have zero knowledge about cyprus.
TIMELINE:
Development Timeline: 24t June Interim Review / 12th August Deadline
-1-5 weeks research and reading about bronze ages
-5-9 weeks 3D modelling, UI elements, voiceovers
-7-10 weeks VR experience development
-11-14 weeks testing of VR experience with users
