Survival Quest: Raising Awareness for Endangered Species Through the Panda Game Created with Unity

Abstract

The goal of this project is to bring up awareness on the safety of endangered species by creating an educational game called "Panda." [4]. By selecting a panda as the main character, which symbolizes endangered species, the game aims to engage players in learning about the challenges these animals face [5]. In the game, players manipulate a panda and strive to survive as long as possible while encountering various threats such as car accidents, predators, and hunters. To enhance the educational aspect, a fact sheet pops up after each panda death, informing the player about the human causes behind the panda's demise and suggesting preventive measures. For instance, if a panda dies in a car accident, the fact sheet would highlight the staggering statistic of 1 to 2 million wildlife deaths caused by car accidents annually in the U.S. It would also recommend supporting the Roadless Rule as a means to reduce such accidents [6]. Although the proposed solution is promising, its effectiveness still requires validation as the game is relatively unknown and has been played by only a few individuals. Future plans involve conducting surveys among a larger player base to assess the game's impact and ascertain whether the desired awareness and behavioral changes regarding endangered species conservation are achieved.