-OceanQuest-
The Digital Media Laboratory
University of Calgary
Department of Computer Science
2500 University Drive N.W.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
T2N - 1N4

The Project

The OceanQuest project was intented to show that specific topics in the k-12 curriculum could be taught using computer games, and the the creation of such a game was feasible in a relatively shory period of time.

Typically, a modern 3D video game requires 18 months to 2 years for a team of 10-12 persons. The concept for OceanQuest was first formed in November 2003, and the first game was delivered in the first week of February, 2004. This is startlingly fast.

Summary of Objectives

The game was to teach non-specific topics surrounding the ecology of the hydrothermal vents at the ocean floor. As the game design evolved, the details became clearer - the students would attempt to locate specific species in a 3D simulation of the Endeavour area west of Vancouver Island. The students would pilot a submarine through the actual terrain found on the sea floor, and would visit simulated vents.
Graphical rendition of the endeavour field. The water has been removed!

OceanQuest: The PC Game

A computer game must have a story and a goal.

The story is a simple one. The Earth has been struck by a plague, and it has been determined that the disease originated in the ancient ice of the arctic. This ice is now melting, and has exposed the disease.

Scientists have examined the DNA of the agent, and have determined that a cure, or the basis for one, might be found at very old places on Earth - in particular, at the hydrothermal vents, where life may originally have formed.

Students will be given three organisms to locate and capture. These organisms are typical of those that actually live in the area surrounding the vents. Game play starts with the students inside of a submarine, and having been given the photos of their organisms. They are to navigate to the vents, identify each organism, and capture a sample. To add some conflict to the situation, a biotechnology company is competing with the stduents for the sames. They also have submarines, and will steal yours if they can. Timing is kept - students can compete with each other on the basis of the time it takes them to acquire all of their samples.



The technical game design document can be downloaded from here. It is a Word document.

Needs DirectX.

Links to CD images:
No longer available



But if you just want the game in a compact form you can get it here This is a ZIP file containing a directory - copy everything, execute OceanQuest.exe.
This is a PC version, the 2005 modification.
Theatrical trailer:

Small version (320x200) AVI.

The FLASH Version of the Game

To allow multiplatform use of OceanQuest, a Flash version of the game was created. While Flash is not 3D, the game is playable, has the same basic plot, and is now essentially complete.

It can be found at This location. You need a recent version of Flash 2004 to run this.







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