Future Developments
The Future of Plant Paradise
So far, we have created a highly functioning prototype for our app, Plant Paradise. Below are some ideas for where the app might go when it is fully developed:
1.
In our prototype right now, the only places you can access on the map are the campsite and one foraging area. Our plan for the Ireland map is to open up foraging areas for each county, with collectable plants that are native to each area. In particular, we plan on putting an emphasis on famous areas of Ireland such as the Giants Causeway and the Burren which are renowned for their unusual flora and fauna.
Eventually, we plan on expanding this even further to different countries. It is the same idea as the Ireland map, with different backgrounds that relate to the specific region and plants native to the area.
If all goes well with the other expansions, we could even make an underwater version. This would use fish characters which forage in different lakes, rivers, and seas to survive and learn about different seaweeds and algae.
Locations
2.
This future development is to help players if they ever happen to get stuck on a certain aspect of the game. At the very beginning, when choosing a character, they will also choose a pet. This pet follows them around the game as they play. If the player reaches a part of the game where they are unsure of how to navigate their next move, they can click on their pet and it will give them hints and tricks on how to proceed.
We plan for the pet to be half the size of the player's character and be a type of bird (the type of bird can be chosen by the player). The pet can be fed treats that the player has collected in exchange for game hints.
Pet Help!
3.
Level Up
In order for players to level up, they are required to do daily tasks such as collecting and using plants in order to gain points. Our idea to develop this is that once a players' level bar is full, they are required to go outside and find the plant(s) that they collected in that level, take a picture of them, and upload it to the app. Once this is completed they can progress to the next level. This development was brought about so that players can apply their learning and bring their interaction with nature to the next level!
Alongside this, we plan on having a printable questionnaire at the end of each level. The questionnaire will ask questions about the different uses and identifiers of the plants that were collected throughout the level. This questionnaire is made with teachers in mind so that they can contribute to their students' learning.
4.
Saving the Game
In the prototype, we have not yet developed a way for players to save their progress in the game. Our plan is that in the campsite where players meet and interact with friends and classmates, they have their own tent. Once you enter the tent, an icon will pop up and ask if the player would like to either save and exit the game or if they would like to save and continue playing. This gives players the option to stop playing mid-level without losing any of their data. This comes in handy in both classroom settings and at home!
