Falling Skies 2.5 with UBC ALIVE Research Lab

Falling Skies 2.5 is a mobile game designed to help middle school students engage with scientific inquiry through immersive storytelling and interactive mechanics. Our client, the UBC ALIVE Research Lab, is focused on building digital tools that support STEM education. However, the current version of the game has usability gaps—students struggle with navigation, skip critical information, and lose engagement over time. 

Our team is addressing these issues by redesigning the core gameplay loop around curiosity and decision-making. We’re developing one core educational mini-game that encourages active learning, as well as a new “Theorizing Screen” where players can curate and connect data like a puzzle. We’re also adding subtle hint systems, a revised map for better navigation, and performance optimizations for tablet use in classrooms. 

By combining our skills in game development, 3D art, UX design, and storytelling, we’re building a more intuitive and rewarding learning experience. The final product will be a playable mobile prototype supported by backend research analytics, ready for classroom testing and educational evaluation.