Sports in Space - Testing Gravity Room interactions
- Europa Prime
- Feb 2, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 22, 2024
We've had a lot of fun creating and testing a special gravity testing room in the space base of Europa Prime. Using the celestial buttons, users can choose between a variety of moon and planet gravities, and then see how it affects objects in their room and their ability to interact with them.
Below is a work-in-progress screenshot and video depicting our Newtonian gravity testing room. In this video, we show a few tester sports experiences, including ping pong (aka table tennis), basketball, and baseball—all within environments featuring various gravity levels. The Newtonian Equilibrium Level Simulation and Optimization Nexus system helps adjust gravitational conditions in real-time to create diverse, dynamic experiences.
Sir Isaac Newton is a pivotal figure in the history of science, known for laying the groundwork for classical mechanics. His three laws of motion fundamentally changed our understanding of how objects interact in the universe, providing a framework that applies to everything from falling apples to the motion of planets. Newton’s law of universal gravitation further revolutionized the way we comprehend the forces that govern celestial bodies. His work not only advanced the fields of physics and mathematics but also laid the foundation for future innovations in engineering and technology, making his principles integral to our exploration of environments, such as those simulated in the Europa Prime gravity testing room. By incorporating Newtonian principles, we enhance the realism and scientific accuracy of our gameplay, allowing players to engage with the fundamental laws that shape their experiences.
Perhaps we should have also added an apple!?! (but how would it grow in space? would trees even grow up!?)
You can watch the video here and in doing so - consider what games you'd like to play in space, and whether they will be possible?
In future builds, we plan to incorporate frisbee, airplanes, gravity wells, ramps, and more.
PLUS, we'll be testing these out in multiplayer, as it's always more fun to share!
Developed by MXTreality for and with EdGE at TERC, terc.edu/edge, as part of an NSF-funded project (#2005447) researching and developing a STEM-based VR game for a broad audience, including neurodivergent players.
This work is part of a collaboration between MXTreality & TERC to broaden participation in informal STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) learning for all, yet with a special focus on neuro-diverse and autistic learners through the magic offered via virtual reality.
NSF Grant: DRL-2005447
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