In Fall 2023, AME 494: Designing for Dreamscape explored the collaborative creative production process of Dreamscape experiences, hosted in the Dreamscape Learn virtual reality pods. Students learned essential principles, techniques, and tools required to conceptualize, design, and develop immersive experiences that engage and educate users in virtual environments. Students were placed into sub-teams: narrative, art, modeling, sound, and programming teams. The class ultimately mimicked professional team settings and collaboration competencies while still being student-oriented and not having to worry about being picture perfect. The work done in the class explores the application of real-world problems and aims to tackle solutions through VR storytelling.
The Subzero Salvation Experience
Based in Antarctica, you are a climate scientist exploring solutions to melting ice caps which lead to rising sea levels. You (Sam) and your teammate Alex are tasked with going out to analyze the drill pumps set up on the ice caps that would ultimately slow down the ice melt. Students learn about the principles at hand, aiming to mitigate the sea level rise caused by melting ice. If enough water is pumped up, the ice will rest on bedrock instead of floating on water like a giant slip and slide.
Over the semester, the narrative team developed two scenes to shape the main storyline and present the scientific approach to solving the problem through an engaging narrative. Concurrently, the art team built characters, environments, vehicles, and other objects. The sound team built sound effects and a thrilling soundtrack to back the story. The programming team worked to integrate the assets into a dynamic and immersive experience.
Dreamscape Learn is a collaboration between Dreamscape Immersive and Arizona State University, blending pedagogical teaching methods with rich storytelling from the immersive entertainment world. Find out more at dreamscapelearn.asu.edu