SkySprouts

Main menu
Starting farm
Variety of crops!

Inspiration

Our team decided to develop a vertical hydroponic farming simulation game as an engaging way to promote sustainable farming practices. We recognized the growing importance of sustainable agriculture in mitigating environmental challenges and ensuring food security for the future. By creating a simulation that allows players to experience the intricacies of hydroponic farming, we aimed to raise awareness about this innovative farming method. We believe that by educating players about the benefits of hydroponics, such as reduced water usage and increased crop yields, we can inspire a wider audience to adopt sustainable farming practices in real life.

What it does

In our hydroponic farming simulation game, players can cultivate various types of seeds in their hydroponic farm, all while learning the importance of mindful water usage.

How we built it

We used Godot 4 to build this game, and GitHub to collaborate.

Challenges we ran into

During the hackathon, our team encountered a couple of significant challenges. We decided to pivot our project halfway through because we were more motivated to work on the hydroponic farming simulation than our initial idea. While this shift in focus reinvigorated our enthusiasm, it also meant that we had less time to bring the new concept to fruition. Additionally, our initial scope for the game turned out to be quite ambitious given the limited time available. These hurdles pushed us to prioritize the essential features of the game to meet the time constraints.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

All the game assets and music were handcrafted by our talented team members, since we wanted to prioritize player experience. Additionally, we implemented the main planting and growing feature, a fundamental aspect of the game, which allowed players to interact with the hydroponic farming system.

What we learned

One valuable lesson we took away from this project is the importance of selecting a project topic that truly resonates with the entire team from the outset. We learned that it's far more efficient and enjoyable to spend extra time in the planning phase, ensuring that everyone is passionate about the chosen idea, rather than realizing halfway through that a change in direction is necessary.

What's next for SkySprouts

We want to accomplish our original vision for the game and introduce separate sustainability and profit scores to provide players with a more comprehensive understanding of their performance and environmental impact. This will encourage players to make decisions that prioritize both eco-conscious farming practices and financial success.
Additionally, we want to add a pesticide tool that, while assisting in crop protection, will come at a cost to sustainability, further challenging players to balance their choices and consider the environmental impact of their decisions.
Furthermore, we're eager to implement an events system that introduces unpredictable elements, such as blights and weather events, which can have a significant impact on the player's farm, adding a new layer of complexity and strategic decision-making.
We also want make the game accessible to a wider audience by publishing it in web browsers, enhancing its reach and playability.

These features will not only make the gameplay more fun, but also reinforce our game's educational value, fostering a deeper appreciation for the complexities of sustainable farming.