Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Launched Nov, 2007
Midnight Messenger
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Join Li Ming on a midnight journey through forests and swamps, lighting your way with a jar of fireflies, to deliver the silversmith’s silver teapot to the ship before it leaves for England. Look out for foxes, fish and other creatures… the animals in this world are mischievous, and will bump the fireflies from your jar. If you loose all the fireflies, you’re lost!
Developing the Concept
Each Kids Zone scene (there are four) features a different tradesperson, and in this scene it was the silversmith. We took a turn from past Kids Zone games that featured tradespeople, which were centered largely around learning-activities featuring the actual trade, and focussed instead on the idea of a quest.
The quest would be simple: help Li Ming deliver the silver teapot to the ship.
For the setting, we wanted something with adventure, and a hint of the mysterious. It had to be midnight.
From here, we worked out other details. Squirrels throw acorns. Fish attack from the water, flying out at you as you pass. Porcupines… well, that one was simple.
And of course, there are the fireflies with their dual purpose of both scoring points and lighting your way.
Production
With the concept in hand, we illustrated Li Ming’s enchanted journey, designed the interface, and developed the underlying game-engine in Flash. We worked closely with the team at Colonial Williamsburg along the way, presenting often, inviting feedback and discussion, and making changes as necessary.
The result is a game that is mysterious and fun.
