DESCRIPTION & INSPIRATION

Moonathon is an endless runner game we created based on the surface of the moon. When brainstorming on building a digital world with its own version of reality, we imagined a moon teeming not only with meteors, stardust, and intelligent alien life hostile to human intrusion. The story follows a lone astronaut whose rocket crash lands on a moon filled with hostile extraterrestrial life. To escape, the astronaut has to collect a set number of energy-charged stars (stardust) scattered across the terrain to power the ship, escape/avoid the aliens, and return to Earth.
There are different levels of difficulty the player can choose from with each level having different speeds, terrain, and stars to be collected. We designed the game system to reflect a visually striking but threatening lunar world; when you think of a moon, you always think about a deserted and stagnant landscape filled only with rocks. However, our moon is always in action with constant forward motion mimicking the astronaut's urgency and aliens as environmental hazards. The world has its own internal logic, stars as fuel, and a world where stopping is never an option.
We implemented procedural generation for terrain tiles to ensure replayability and alien structures for both form and function. Once we were satisfied with the movement mechanics, we transitioned from our placeholder avatar to the final astronaut form. This switch introduced a new set of challenges. We transferred most of the scripts and updated the mesh renderer so the astronaut would replace the original character.
In terms of design, we wanted the environment to complement our stylized astronaut avatar. Since the astronaut has a cutesy, approachable look, we aimed for a terrain that would reflect this same playful aesthetic. The ground is a simple, mostly flat grey surface, reminiscent of the moon's dusty landscape. To add visual interest and avoid a monotonous appearance, we incorporated subtle indents, peaks, and spikes across the terrain. These details help create a sense of depth and movement without overwhelming the scene or detracting from the character. The simplicity of the ground also makes it easier for players to anticipate obstacles and focus on the core gameplay, while still immersing them in a charming lunar setting that matches the whimsical spirit of our avatar.