Overview
Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
Gamification, but make it retro
Client
Port of Antwerp-Bruges
Services
Digital Experiences
Expertise
3D / Motion Graphics
Creative Direction
Virtual Worlds
Video Production
Industry
Maritime
Project
synopsis
This year, the iconic FTI-festival from the 80s and 90s made a comeback in Belgium. Everything tech gets the spotlight it deserves. All big players in Belgium wanted to showcase their innovation-skills and so did Port of Antwerp-Bruges, already known for their future-proof vibes. They wanted to be present as the digital port they are, leading the way in the digital & energy transition. As a dedicated partner, we were happy to provide them with the tools to tell their story.
Challenge
At yondr we know: if you want people to engage with your story, whether they are 5 or 55 years old, a game is always a good idea. So for Port of Antwerp-Bruges we imagined the APICA QUEST, two old school arcades running two different games, designed to tell a specific storyline. They look so magnificently retro, which was quite the eye-catcher on this slick tech event. The physical interaction with the joystick and the hands-on nostalgia really increased engagement. Not to mention the high score ranking that made more than one seemingly serious visitor break into sweat.
Collaboration
Short, but sweet
Yondr and Port of Antwerp-Bruges go way back. Having collaborated on a myriad of projects, every new project just flows naturally. Ideas go back and forth, they give us our artistic freedom, and they know very well what they want. This time around, the deadline was pretty short, but still sweet. Talk about a dream client.
"We're extremely pleased with yondr's game creations. They skillfully narrate our story through interactive experiences, showcasing the port environment impressively. Above all, they provide enjoyable gameplay! Our collaboration with yondr has been outstanding."
– Lennart Verstappen, Corporate Communication Advisor
Experience
Run wild
The game is a classic in the platform-running genre, and can be compared with games like Temple Run or Subway Surfers (Love you Jake!). Your avatar — named Apica — runs around in a virtual port, dodging obstacles and collecting tokens. Every token is a symbol of the key Port of Antwerp-Bruges messages, focusing on the energy transition and innovative technologies running through the veins of the port.
The world is a 3D copy of the actual port with all the epic landmarks and typical elements. It was designed in Blender and developed in Unity. Extra focus went into designing an accessible user interface, so that everybody could just connect and start playing, without help or guidance. Plug and play, quite literally.
Impact
To the fair and beyond
After the fair, the arcades are to be used for different events. Their usability and durability was non-negotiable for the client, showing sustainability and technology can in fact go hand in hand. The project was a tribute to the heydays of the FTI-fair and the beginning of the game-era. At yondr we are well aware of the dominance that gaming and gamification has in many people’s lives, since the 80s but today even more so. And probably for many more decades to come.
PLAY
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