Way Back Home: Gamifying Sustainable Transport Education for Children

Way Back Home is an educational, Java-based desktop game that uses gamification to teach children the importance of sustainable transportation and environmental responsibility. This project was developed as part of a Master's group project and is aimed at engaging young players by combining fun gameplay with real-world environmental insights.

Overview

Rapid urbanization and the reliance on fossil fuels have led to significant environmental challenges. Way Back Home challenges players to balance fast, convenient transport options against eco-friendly alternatives. By making sustainable choices, players learn about the real-world impact of transportation on greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

Key Features

• Interactive Gameplay: Navigate a top-down, grid-based urban map inspired by real-world cities.
• Environmental Decision Making: Choose between various transport modes—walking, cycling, buses, and taxis—each with distinct trade-offs between speed and environmental impact.
• Real-Time Feedback: A CO₂ gauge provides immediate visual feedback on the environmental cost of your in-game decisions.
• Educational Pop-Ups: As you collect in-game items (gems), educational messages appear, offering insights into sustainable mobility and climate change.
• Multiple Levels: Experience diverse urban environments with unique challenges in cities like Manhattan, Dublin, and Tokyo.
• Robust Architecture: Developed in Java using a Model-View-Controller (MVC) design pattern to ensure modularity and ease of future expansion.

Getting Started

Prerequisites

• Java Development Kit (JDK) 8 or higher
• An Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for Java (e.g., IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse)
• Git (to clone the repository)

Installation

1. Clone the Repository:

   git clone https://github.com/NikAkt/shared-mobility-fxproject.git
   cd shared-mobility-fxproject

2. Compile the Code:

   • Open the project in your preferred IDE.
   • Build the project to compile the Java source code.

3. Run the Game:

   • Locate the main class (e.g., Main.java) and run it to launch the game.

How to Play

• Movement: Use the W, A, S, and D keys to move your character around the map.
• Special Actions:
  • Press T to hail a taxi for a speed boost (with increased CO₂ output).
  • Press B to board buses at designated stops.
• Objective: Collect a set number of gems while keeping your CO₂ gauge below the critical level and reach the stage’s endpoint before time runs out.

Project Structure

• /src: Contains the Java source code organized by MVC components.
• /assets: Graphical assets, including level maps and icons.
• /docs: Project documentation, including the report (Sustainable_Mobility_Game.pdf).

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please fork the repository, create a feature branch, and submit a pull request with your changes. For major modifications, open an issue to discuss your ideas first.

Acknowledgments

This game was developed as part of a Master's group project at the School of Computer Science, University College Dublin. Special thanks to all team members for their contributions to advancing sustainable transport education.