Though Poppies Grow Game Concept
Though Poppies Grow is place-based mobile game and companion website designed to critically examine the mobilization experience of Canadian soldiers from their homes to the battlefields of the First World War. It is created for middle and secondary school social studies and history students participating educational tours to Western Front battlefields with local non-tour playing options.
The story is told from the perspective of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) but is designed for the participation of students from countries on both sides of the conflict a century ago. Players explore locations through a series of quests which they attempt to accomplish by discovering significant locations and documenting them with photos. In the process, game items are that reveal the story are collected and used to unlock clues along the way.
A unique aspect of the game and supporting activities is that it is generative. Players are guided through the ARIS editing process to design their new chapters based on their home locations and the particular battlefields that they visit. The can also iterate on designs of previous participants. Ideally over time, new locational chapters from towns worldwide will be added to the companion site and identified on a GIS map - encouraging new learning strategies and collaborative possibilities.
The game consists of four episodes that can be played separately or linked together into a more complex narrative. Episodes 1 and 2 are concerned with mobilization in Canada. Both are adaptable for players from other countries. Episodes 3 and 4 are designed for educational tour groups who are visiting CEF training at Shorncliff, England and Vimy Ridge, France. Additional First World War battlefields will be added as Episode 4 options over time.
Gameplay takes place on the ARIS Games mobile app (Augmented Reality Interactive Storytelling). The story emerges as players interact with game objects like exchangeable items, plaques, character conversations and web media. They are triggered by players exploring and navigating through the locations of the story. Players also collect and tag photos onto a web map using Siftr, ARIS’s sister app, that will be used by their design team to author new chapters within episodes for future players.
The story is told from the perspective of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) but is designed for the participation of students from countries on both sides of the conflict a century ago. Players explore locations through a series of quests which they attempt to accomplish by discovering significant locations and documenting them with photos. In the process, game items are that reveal the story are collected and used to unlock clues along the way.
A unique aspect of the game and supporting activities is that it is generative. Players are guided through the ARIS editing process to design their new chapters based on their home locations and the particular battlefields that they visit. The can also iterate on designs of previous participants. Ideally over time, new locational chapters from towns worldwide will be added to the companion site and identified on a GIS map - encouraging new learning strategies and collaborative possibilities.
The game consists of four episodes that can be played separately or linked together into a more complex narrative. Episodes 1 and 2 are concerned with mobilization in Canada. Both are adaptable for players from other countries. Episodes 3 and 4 are designed for educational tour groups who are visiting CEF training at Shorncliff, England and Vimy Ridge, France. Additional First World War battlefields will be added as Episode 4 options over time.
Gameplay takes place on the ARIS Games mobile app (Augmented Reality Interactive Storytelling). The story emerges as players interact with game objects like exchangeable items, plaques, character conversations and web media. They are triggered by players exploring and navigating through the locations of the story. Players also collect and tag photos onto a web map using Siftr, ARIS’s sister app, that will be used by their design team to author new chapters within episodes for future players.
Click the expand to full screen icon on the image below to investigate the image in more detail. I am interested in any feedback on this design. If you would like to do so, email me and I will add you as a collaborator. This allows you to click on a cell to make comments, which are hidden on public web version.
Episode 1: From Distant Shores
Recruitment, Outfitting and Local Mobilization (on-site: historical locations) The storyline must maximize player’s identification with game characters to elicit the sense that they are on an unknown journey. They will select an identity then navigate through the requirements, standards and racial limitations confronted by applicants. The gameplay will guide players through various strategy narratives for volunteers who were initially declined. Additionally, some recruits will randomly be denied for a variety of health reasons or fitness criteria. |
Episode 2: Valcartier
Training and Shipping-Off to Britain (on-site: open field) The story picks-up with new recruits arriving at the national training grounds from various regional camps around the country. Here they receive more training and connect with soldiers from all over the country. Game play takes place in an open space such as a sports field or park to play this episode. They are guided through a number of physical tasks, partly based on actual exercises from the war period, as well as a simulated obstacle course. Players also befriend a fictitious friend and take part in adopting and a fictitious animal as a regimental mascot. These new characters, along with the guiding narrator disclosed in Episode 1, play important roles in the next episodes. |
Episode 3: Shorncliffe, England
Training and Shipping-off to the Western Front (on-site and off-site versions) CONCEPT STILL EVOLVING Tension among troops builds as players receive news about casualty rates and personal accounts of trench warfare from returning soldiers and letters from home. This tension builds as players train with old and new weapons of war. They eventually acquire the training and equipment for France through game object exchanges that take place at various locations around the Shorncliff, Folkestone site. In the story, the player is in conflict with their new friend about the urgency to get to the front. |
Episode 4: The Western Front
The Battle of Vimy Ridge, France (on site) CONCEPT STILL EVOLVING |
Design Documentation
Communicating with Craig
This first prototype provides an overview of the game concept, the relationship of the game to the companion website (see this blog post for rationale) and the ARIS and Siftr apps.
Episodes 1 and 2 game element maps will be added to this page soon. Episodes 3 and 4 are still in the concept development stage
History Community: This game is intended to initiate student interest in topics related to the soldiers journeys from their homes to the battlefields of the First World War. It's primary objective is to foster inquiry by generating good questions that can be addressed through the companion site activities.
I am interested in the learning outcomes that you think will connect well to the game play:
Games Community: I am interested in tapping into your expertise and experience. Any impressions, feedback and suggestions are most welcome.
Communication Options:
Episodes 1 and 2 game element maps will be added to this page soon. Episodes 3 and 4 are still in the concept development stage
History Community: This game is intended to initiate student interest in topics related to the soldiers journeys from their homes to the battlefields of the First World War. It's primary objective is to foster inquiry by generating good questions that can be addressed through the companion site activities.
I am interested in the learning outcomes that you think will connect well to the game play:
- What issues do you feel should be emphasized?
- Where do you see opportunities to develop historical thinking?
- Do you know of any existing activities and resources that do so that could be included in the companion website?
Games Community: I am interested in tapping into your expertise and experience. Any impressions, feedback and suggestions are most welcome.
Communication Options:
- Google Group: best option for multi-person visibility (email enabled)
- Popple comments (email me to be added to collaborators )
- Email: best for private conversations (form below)