An Open-Source, Narrative Game Series Exploring Education and Social Themes

The Answer Verse is an open-source game franchise that serves as the backbone for a collection of narrative-driven, single-player games focused on the experiences of college life. Developed initially as a student-led project at the University of Miami's NERDLab, The Answer Verse incorporates shared characters, art, and code to build interconnected stories within the same universe. The goal is to provide a flexible, collaborative platform that allows for diverse storytelling and gameplay styles, including mini-games and choice-based interactions, while promoting social impact and educational value.

Project Significance

As an open-source franchise, The Answer Verse invites game developers, researchers, and subject matter experts to contribute new episodes and expand the universe. NERDLab retains creative control over which stories are officially published on platforms such as Steam, ensuring consistent quality and alignment with the franchise’s core values. The project stands as a testament to the power of collaborative design and educational gameplay, reflecting real-world challenges and promoting social learning through interactive storytelling.

The series is particularly significant for its potential to act as a research vehicle, allowing experts to craft narratives that explore themes like identity, resilience, and societal issues. The use of a consistent code base and familiar assets accelerates development and facilitates new additions, making The Answer Verse a sustainable, evolving universe that bridges academia, game development, and social impact.

Awards and Recognition

The Answer Verse has received notable accolades, winning 1st Place in the Emerging Technology category for students at the BEA Festival of Media Arts in 2024. It also earned a Bronze Award at the Serious Play Awards in 2024 and is currently a finalist at the Serious Games Showcase and Challenge, solidifying its reputation as a meaningful and impactful game series.

Development and Collaboration

The initial development of The Answer Verse was a student-led effort, showcasing the capabilities of collaborative work within an academic setting. While the project began without the involvement of researchers, NERDLab aspires to attract partnerships with researchers and subject matter experts for future episodes, integrating data-driven studies and innovative approaches to educational game design.

Thematic Connections

Zoo Rush

Zoo Rush was a defining project for me early in my tenure at the University of Miami. Leading a team of students with no prior game development experience, I had the chance to guide them through every phase of development. This project was not only about creating a game but also about fostering growth and building confidence in aspiring developers. The lessons I learned from mentoring that team—teaching them to think creatively and build collaboratively—laid the foundation for my approach to The Answer Verse.

Zoo Rush taught me the importance of patience, structured guidance, and the power of mentorship. The experience solidified my belief in empowering new talent, a principle I carry into The Answer Verse by encouraging contributions and supporting community-driven development.

Unsavory

Unsavory was a milestone in my career, demonstrating that it was possible to design meaningful, socially impactful games within an academic framework that could gain recognition. Winning multiple awards, including a gold award at the International Serious Play Awards, validated my approach to game design as both an educational tool and a medium for social change.

The recognition Unsavory received pushed me to think bigger about what could be achieved through games that bridge academia and real-world issues. It proved that impactful work could be done with the right blend of creativity and purpose—a realization that continues to drive my work on The Answer Verse as I aim to create a flexible platform for educational and social narratives.

Dreamy

With Dreamy, I ventured into embedding targeted behavioral messages into gameplay, collaborating with a health communication researcher to design a game aimed at changing attitudes and behaviors. It was an ambitious project that showed initial promise but also revealed the complexities and unpredictability of research-driven game design. The experience taught me that even with thorough planning, there is no guarantee of success.

Dreamy was an eye-opener. It reinforced the reality that developing games with embedded research components involves long timelines and often unexpected outcomes. This project taught me resilience and how to adapt my expectations, which has shaped how I approach The Answer Verse. I'm now more prepared to integrate research and development in a way that respects both the creative process and academic rigor.

Each of these experiences has been instrumental in my evolution as an educator and game designer. The Answer Verse is a culmination of those lessons: mentoring new developers, designing games that win recognition for their impact, and embracing the challenges of research integration.