Gather the seeds, germinate them step by step. Then, water the plants, monitor their growth and health. You must ensure plant survival and achieve conservation success.

What may sound like simple gardening advice is at the heart of Seeds of Hope – a digital interactive game developed over five months by eight of our students from the School of Information and Technology, in collaboration with the Singapore Botanic Gardens (SBG).

As part of SBG’s 10th anniversary celebration as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this initiative aims to engage visitors from diverse, intergenerational backgrounds by showcasing SBG’s vital contributions to tropical botanical research and conservation.

Guided by lecturer Tristan Tan and software engineer Jacquelyn Soh, the students drew inspiration from Singapore’s iconic Tembusu tree – the majestic species immortalised on the nation’s five-dollar note – to create an engaging platform that promotes environmental conservation and awareness of native plant species.

From research and ideation, to project development, the students worked in two different teams to develop the game in five months. They focused on:

• Animation of game elements: Five students created the plants, animals movements, environmental transitions, and visual effects to enhance the storytelling and visual appeal. 
• Overall game development: The remaining three students integrated these animations into the game framework, programmed interactive elements, and ensured smooth user navigation and functionality.

For many of them, this was their first time creating a game through coding. While they created memories, and had fun when ensuring that everything ran smoothly, the students gained even more valuable insights – learning that attention to small details is crucial for improving their skills.