Scarlet O'Beetle and the Unseen World

Dr. Scarlet O'Beetle, MD. has received troubling news from afar, and her local community seems to be beset with problems as well! The indomitable doctor is never discouraged and will rise to meet any challenge, even ones far, far larger than herself.

SCARLET O’BEETLE AND THE UNSEEN WORLD is a classic adventure point-and-click, story-rich puzzle game set in the fascinating world of insects. While interacting with the characters and learning about their lives, the player will learn exciting scientific facts about the species they encounter and the anthropic impact of climate change and pollution.

Getting Started

Launch the Game: Double-click the game icon on your desktop or start it from your game library.

Main Menu: From the main menu, you can start a new game, load a saved game, adjust settings, or exit the game.

Actions

• WALK: Walk to door, paths, or areas of interest to move your character.
• INSPECT: Take a closer look at objects, insects, and the environment. Gain valuable insights, scientific facts, and hints to help you progress through the game.

• SPEAK: Talk to characters by clicking on them. Choose dialogue options to gather information and solve puzzles. Pay attention to what characters say. They might provide vital hints or items.
• INTERACT: Objects that can be interacted with will change the cursor icon when hovered over. Click to examine or use them.
  

Items

• ACCESS ITEMS: Press I to open the inventory.
• USE ITEMS: Left click an item to inspect it. Right click it to pick it up and close the inventory panel. Then left click in the world to use the item. Middle click to remove an item from your hand without using it.

Get Help

Open the help menu with the Tab key. If you're stuck, use the walkthrough!

walkthrough

Ending the Game

Follow the clues and solve all puzzles to reach the conclusion of the story.

Exiting

Open the game menu and select "Quit" to exit the game.

 

• Monica Serban, Original Concept Narrative Designer / Writer
  • "An amazing opportunity to combine my three biggest passions: environmental science, writing and gaming. Not to mention collaborating with people from all over the world."
• Henry Dotson, Production Lead Programmer
  • "I got involved because I wanted to use art and storytelling to help raise awareness around important environmental issues."
• Manuel Garcia, Unity Dev
• Emelie Kronquist, Sound Design Implementation
  • "I joined the Just Play Jam to help fight climate change in a fun way, doing what I do best - video games."
• Hannah Kim, 2D Art Character Design
• Alejandro Zeguecios, Music Composer
  • "I joined this wonderful team thanks to Emelie, I was looking into joining a team for the Just Play Game jam and she told the others to bring me in! I love doing international game jams so that I can meet other people and know about other cultures."
• Yiyi Zhang, 2D Artist UI Designer
  • "I care very much about the intersection of social impact work and game design. I believe leveraging interactive media can help build empathy for good causes or organizations, and build new advocacy channels."
• Peter Hechler, Unity Dev
  • "I joined the Just Play Jam because it was a great opportunity to use my game development skills for something I really care about."
• Sydney Gardner, 2D Artist Animator
• Akshay Bharadhwa, Unity Dev Animator

Singing Insects of North America (SINA). Doctors Thomas J. Walker and Teresa Marie Yawn, for their recordings of cricket and katydid songs: www.orthsoc.org/sina/ 

Doctor Richard Mankin, for his recordings of various insects, compiled as 'Bug Bytes' for the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service

and of course...

 

for organizing and bringing us together for this project!

We're excited to be selected as 2024 FINALISTS!!

Sources

It was important for the team to ensure that the ecological and biological aspects of this game are accurate. At least, as accurate as a game about anthropomorphic bugs can be.

1. Sverdrup-Thygeson, A., & Moffatt, L. (2020). Extraordinary insects: Weird. Wonderful. Indispensable. The ones who run our world. HarperCollins Publishers.
2. Planet Natural Research Center. (2004-2023). Home. Planet Natural. https://www.planetnatural.com/
3. Society for Science & the Public. (2000–2024). About Science News. Science News. https://www.sciencenews.org/about-science-news
4. Smithsonian Institution. (n.d.). Smithsonian Institution. https://www.si.edu/
5. National Geographic Society. (1996-2015). National Geographic. National Geographic Partners, LLC. (2015-2024). https://www.nationalgeographic.com/
6. National Biodiversity Data Centre. (n.d.). Home. National Biodiversity Data Centre. https://biodiversityireland.ie/
7. Crown Bees. (2024). Home. Crown Bees. https://crownbees.com/
8. Bumblebee Conservation Trust. (2024). Home. Bumblebee Conservation Trust. https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/
9. ScienceDaily. (1995-2024). Home. ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/
10. Kent Wildlife Trust. (n.d.). Home. Kent Wildlife Trust. https://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/
11. USDA Agricultural Research Service. (n.d.). Sound Library. Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research - Richard Mankin. Retrieved March 11, 2020, from https://www.ars.usda.gov/southeast-area/gainesville-fl/center-for-medical-agricultural-and-veterinary-entomology/insect-behavior-and-biocontrol-research/people/richard-mankin/sound-library/
12. Walker, T. J., & Yawn, T. M. (n.d.). SINA. Orthopterists' Society. https://orthsoc.org/sina/