A new mobile game from U of T Mississauga’s Office of Student Transition is helping orient frosh to the western campus.
Guardians of UTM is an iOS or Android app designed to help new students find their way around and learn how to access important services. The quest-based game’s storyline involves a mystery intruder selling UTM’s secrets to other schools. Someone has to find the mole and stop the leaks; players join secret society teams led by UTM mascots.
To solve the game, players must physically visit locations around campus – such as the Book Store or the Hazel McCallion Academic Learning Centre – completing challenges and then scanning a QR code to proceed. The game takes about six weeks to complete, culminating in a real-life Amazing Race-style day during Fall Reading Week that will bring together all players to solve the final challenge.
Computer science student Chris Primerano, along with students in art and art history (including Heather Shanahan), and commerce, planned the story arc, wrote scripts, designed avatars and created code. “It’s about building pride at UTM,” says Primerano. “This will help students feel like they’re part of UTM’s campus community.”
Watch: The trailer for Guardians of UTM
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