Galactic Orbit is a mobile app that transforms college campuses into interactive AR-based game boards, encouraging students to explore, connect, and engage with their environment through gamified missions and challenges.
Inspired by Pokémon Go and Ingress, the app blends real-world exploration with digital gameplay, social features, and AI-enhanced content — without letting AI take over the experience. AI supports gameplay by generating dynamic clues, customizing missions, and powering NPC-like chat characters.
The app enhances school pride, student engagement, and campus exploration, especially for new students or those seeking community.
- Map-Based Game Interface: Real-time campus map with collectibles and missions at campus landmarks.
- Location Tracking: GPS-based triggers to unlock nearby content.
- AR Item Interaction: Collect 3D badges or items using the camera.
- Quests & Challenges: Missions like “Visit the Library,” “Snap a photo at the fountain,” or “Answer trivia.”
- User Profiles: Secure login (Firebase/Auth0), inventory management, and XP tracking.
- AI-Generated Clues: GPT-based riddles tailored to campus spots.
- NPC Chat Interface: Interact with mascots or “ghosts of campus past” for side quests.
- Basic Personalization: Mission suggestions based on user progress.
- Gameplay: Team competitions, dorm-vs-dorm events, and time-limited scavenger hunts.
- Customization: Avatars, cosmetics, and collectible badges.
- Advanced AI: Dynamic NPCs with memory, personalized missions based on majors, and mood-aware suggestions.
- Technical: AR creatures (Unity/Lightship SDK), crowdsourced mission builders, QR/NFC check-ins.
| 🏁 Week | 📌 Task |
|---|---|
| 1 | Define project scope, assign team roles, and research campus AR/gamification trends. • Identify MVP features. • Assign dev/design roles. • Interview students and campus staff for engagement ideas. |
| 2 | Design wireframes and finalize tech stack. • Create Figma mockups of map, AR items, and profile screens. • Select stack (Frontend: Unity + AR SDK, Backend: Firebase/Node.js, DB: Firestore). |
| 3 | Backend + Location Tracking Setup. • Initialize Firebase/Node.js backend. • Configure GPS-based mission unlocks. • Test map integration with real campus coordinates. |
| 4 | Implement user authentication and basic profiles. • Firebase/Auth0 for login. • Basic inventory and XP schema. • Connect frontend with backend for player data. |
| 5 | AR item collection system. • Add basic AR badge/3D object collection. • Test Unity/Lightship SDK integration. • Store collected items in inventory. |
| 6 | Quest & Challenge System. • Static challenges (trivia, photo quests, visit locations). • Backend logic for quest completion + XP. |
| 7 | AI Integration (Phase 1). • AI-generated location riddles. • NPC chat prototype for side quests. • Initial personalization suggestions. |
| 8 | UI/UX Refinement and Social Layer. • Enhance map/AR visuals. • Add leaderboard mockups for stretch goals. • Improve onboarding flow for new students. |
| 9 | Testing and Feedback. • Unit and integration testing. • Pilot test with small student group. • Gather feedback and fix bugs. |
| 10 | Deployment & Documentation. • Deploy app to Google Play (beta). • Write developer + user docs. • Launch v1 on one test campus. |
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Pokémon Go / Niantic (Ingress, Peridot):
- Strengths: Massive brand recognition, refined AR + GPS mechanics, global community.
- Weaknesses: Not campus-specific, limited focus on fostering school spirit or student life.
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Campus GooseChase (scavenger hunt apps):
- Strengths: Event-based missions, lightweight AR-lite experiences.
- Weaknesses: Not persistent, lacks gamified progression and community-building features.
- Campus-Centered Gameplay: Focused on college identity (mascots, landmarks, dorm rivalries).
- Persistent Ecosystem: Unlike one-off scavenger hunts, gameplay evolves throughout the semester.
- AI-Powered Missions: Keeps content fresh, adaptive, and context-aware without requiring constant admin input.
- Social & Cultural Impact: Strengthens student engagement, pride, and community belonging — more than just a game.
- Location Accuracy: Ensuring reliable GPS indoors (potentially add NFC/QR checkpoints).
- AR SDK Stability: ARKit/ARCore/Lightship bugs and device fragmentation.
- AI Integration: Cost and efficiency of real-time clue generation.
- Campus Buy-In: Need approval for branding (mascot usage, logos, event tie-ins).
- Privacy Concerns: Secure handling of location + student data.
- WiFi Dead Zones: Some campuses have unreliable coverage in key areas.
- Onboarding Curve: New students may drop off if the app feels complex.
- Retention: Avoid novelty fade-out — missions must refresh weekly.
- Balancing AI: Ensure AI enhances gameplay but doesn’t overpower authentic exploration.
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
git branch |
Lists all the branches |
git branch "branch name" |
Creates a new branch |
git checkout "branch name" |
Switches to the specified branch |
git checkout -b "branch name" |
Combines branch creation and checkout |
git add . |
Stages all changed files |
git commit -m "Testing123" |
Commits with a message |
git push origin "branch" |
Pushes to the specified branch |
git pull origin "branch" |
Pulls updates from the specified branch |
- Project Manager: Shreya S Ramani
- Industry Mentor: Linh Ly
- Developer 1: Snigdha Tadi
- Developer 2: Linh Nguyen
- Developer 3: Dhruv Yadav
- Developer 4: Hadent Dang
- Developer 5: Vighnesh Nair