Web-Based Game – Corebound
INSTITUTION
Seattle University (SU)
CLASS
Platinum Class (2025 – 2026)
STUDENT TEAM
ACADEMIC GUIDANCE
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
In October 2023, the NASA Psyche mission launched a spacecraft headed toward Psyche, a unique asteroid located between Mars and Jupiter. The spacecraft is expected to arrive in mid-2029 and will spend two years collecting and transmitting data about the asteroid’s metal-rich composition back to NASA. Scientists hope this data will provide new insights into planetary formation, as Psyche is believed to largely consist of metal from the exposed core of a planetesimal. NASA requested that Team CS 26.14 develop a web-based game that would help increase public awareness and excitement surrounding the mission. Our team developed Corebound, a browser-based educational space game that introduces players to the Psyche mission through interactive minigames and challenges. The experience is designed as a single-player, 2D game and follows NASA’s content guidelines by avoiding violent elements. Any educational material that extends beyond the Psyche mission is clearly labeled with a disclaimer to maintain transparency and accuracy. The game runs directly in a web browser, allowing users to access it without installing additional software. During gameplay, players encounter short informational segments and activities that introduce concepts related to asteroid composition and space exploration. By presenting scientific ideas through interactive gameplay, the project helps translate complex mission details into an engaging format suitable for a broad public audience. The final design emphasizes clarity, accessibility, and educational value while meeting the sponsor’s requirements for appropriate content and effective public outreach.