Inertia City

For my Master's Thesis, I developed a novel game world using Unity Engine where users, literally, explore the world of physics. Given the positive responses from user tests and promising market validation, I have decided to continue pursuing this venture. 

When users first enter the world, they encounter specialized physics experts called Myopicals, who live siloed off in their separate domains surrounding an uninhabited wasteland. The domains are governed by inspirational female role models: real-life physicists from past and present, who need the user’s help to show the myopicals how to work together in order to build Inertia City.

Inertia City not only sparks interest, builds confidence, and changes inner perceptions surrounding women in physics, but it also validates the importance of breaking down barriers between specialized fields in order to work together to improve the world--because just like the Myopicals, we are stronger together. 

OVERVIEW

Users complete minigames that require creative ingenuity and that build physics skills in order to progress through each domain (electromagnetism, classical mechanics, etc.), progressively mastering that field of physics. Once mastered, the user has enough tools and knowledge to build a bridge to a nearby domain, creating a new settlement that combines both fields, creating new innovations and growing Inertia City. 

The more bridges they create the more innovative, sustainable, interconnected, and beautiful Inertia City becomes:

Please watch the introductory video to learn more about the specific game mechanics and MVP demo. 

Background

Note: though statistics available and user testing pool currently only has access to those with she/her/hers pronouns and, for comparitive studies, he/him/his pronouns, Inertia City aims to support those in all areas of the gender spectrum, primarily those underrepresented in physics. 

Market Research

Predected Market Growth 

Precedents 

While resources to learn physics online or via smartphone/tablet exist, none combine gamified elements to engage young learners, interactive/sandbox-style learning opportunities, and clear representation of learning progress. This is key to a successful platform as it combines intrinsic and extrinsic motivators to spark and maintain interest, thus encouraging regular, prolonged use of this platform. 

The only successful resource that achieves this is, but for a different topic, is Duolingo, which generated $250 million in revenue in 2021, a 55% year-on-year increase (source). Duolingo also has 500 million registered users, 37 million are active once a month, and shows no signs of slowing down growth. Most of their revenue comes from their subscription option, but it draws in users through their free option.  

Inertia City would thus use a similar subscription option: unlimited use without ads with an affordable subscription, but offer the ability to use for free limited by incorrect answers and with necessary interaction with ads. 

Promise for Impetus City 

Market Opportunity 

Surveys distributed to students ages 12-18 as well as educators show promise for early success. Shown an introductory video (see above), 98% of 216 students from 4 high schools answered that they would be interested in trying the game with 85% saying they believe they would enjoy using Inertia City regularly. 

Achieving Design Goals, Focus Group 

Learning: For focus group studies with 18 students ages 14-17 (half identifying as female) using an early version of Inertia City playable, results showed that female-identifying participants answered 100% of relevant physics questions correctly after using Inertia City compared to averaging 25% correct before use, while male-identifying participants showed no change at 50% correct. 

Engagement: Surprisingly, 100% of students in  focus group study (not just female-identifying) answered that they wanted to keep playing and exploring, and in the free response stated which domains they hoped would be available next. 

Perception Change: 100% of students used gender-inclusive or female-specific words to describe what a physicist might look like after using Inertia City, whereas 61% (including those of both gender identities) used male features to describe before playing.  This finding shows the power this tool could have not only to build confidence in female-identifying students, but also to redefine the perceptions of their male peers and shape the next generation to be more inclusive. 

Next Steps 

Earlier prototype demo: