Responses to Questions: Eddie & the Air Out There Video Game 2015 RFP

Transcription

1 Responses to Questions: Eddie & the Air Out There Video Game 2015 RFP Please note that these are summaries of answers provided and may not be verbatim responses received by individuals, but should provide consistent information provided to other applicants. They have been divided into three categories: Process, Content, and Technical Questions. Process: 1. Will preference be given to local companies? There is an amount of evaluative weight (less than 5%) placed on the submitter being local. Our evaluation criteria is on page 8 of the RFP and most of the weight will be placed on quality, creativity, realistic timelines, and budget considerations. 2. It looks like you re allotting 4 months for game development. Is that correct? Ultimately, everything needs to be completed by the end of February This is within the funding timeline that Clean has to complete the project and report to our funder. If there is a timeline that is more appropriate with specific milestones that is more feasible and that can be laid out clearly and are realistic, it will be considered as long as the hard ending of February 29, 2016 is there. 3. Will there only be one invoice period with invoices submitted at the end of the project? Invoicing and specific milestones can be discussed, negotiated, and decided upon within the contract phase depending upon what the project looks like. These periods could be linked to specific milestone completions with the hard ending being at the end of February and invoices received by us no later than March 15, If you have a specific roll out in mind with invoicing at specific times, please include. Anything that helps us understand how this can happen and is realistic will be considered. 4. Will the cost of voice talent and voice overs come out of the $55,000 budget or are there separate funds set aside for this? At the moment there are no additional funds for voice talent and voice acting. We do have the creator/performer of the Eddie Shows on staff. She has a Performing Arts background and where possible, we would like to use her talent and knowledge with respect to the direction of Eddie. Other talent needed should be included in the proposed budget.

2 5. Will the cost of technical support and upgrade support come out of the $55,000 budget or is there separate funds for this requirement? There may be a possibility of additional funds, however, these are not currently allotted for ongoing tech support and future upgrades. This project is relying on a one time grant that our funder has put forward for this specific purpose. It would not hurt to include options for upgrades and support and their associated costs. 6. What you are looking for when referring to a statement of capacity to complete project in specified timeline? The statement of capacity should articulate who, how, and what you have at your disposal to ensure that the specifics of the project can be completed on time and within the allotted budget. This would include things like: staff expertise, how projects are managed, what software and/or hardware tools would be used-anything that would convince us that you have the ability to get the project done right, on time, and on budget. 7. Could we meet to discuss further questions? At this time we are not able to offer a meeting to discuss specific ideas. The best that we can do is a Question and Response format. I would suggest putting your best ideas into the proposal and if shortlisted, there will be an opportunity to discuss further during the interview process. 8. In regards to the two professional references - are you looking for just contact information or two professional reference letters? It would be ideal if we are able to speak to references directly and ask them questions, so providing the contact information and a short description to put the reference into context would be most useful. That said, if your references are willing and able to provide professional letters of reference, those letters would not hurt your submission. 9. "Include a brief statement (max 100 words) of vendor commitment to environmental sustainability in their operations and service delivery. Do we state how we operate as it relates to the environment? Yes, take a moment and outline what initiatives your company does to be more environmentally sustainable. Clean Foundation Responses to Questions: EAOT RFP 2

3 Content: 1. Requests for additional information about the show and the characters. Please see appendix with sample from script, photos of characters, and current logo. Audio samples for Windy Wendy and Robert Plant can be found via these links. Windy Wendy: Robert Plant: As for the game, it should be able to standalone, yet complement the show, which is why we initially provided such a brief summary of the show in the original RFP. We are looking for big picture game idea and then in the game development phase with the successful contractor we will integrate the specific elements. Eddie s superpowers are really not magic at all-he thinks he has them, but really he has the same powers that we all do to help keep the air clean, our bodies healthy, and our environment healthy. 2. What curriculum outcomes is the show based on? The outcomes that the show is based on includes: maintaining a healthy body, supporting positive environmental behaviours, energy conservation messaging, active transportation, and renewable energy (wind, water, sun). 3. May we add our own characters to assist in the game scenes? The creative direction of the game is all yours. Our approach to sustainability education at Clean, we don't focus on the negative, but on the positive actions and things that we can do to help our environment. 4. May we create a backstory for Eddie? Sure. 5. Are we to only focus on air quality, or can we incorporate lessons from other tours, as well? Litter, waste disposal, energy waste, air quality, etc.? Or only focus on just the air quality stuff? This project is specifically funded to develop a video game about air quality. Other ideas can be incorporated, but keep in mind the suggested time frame of minutes. It is often better to cover one topic well. 6. Can Eddie and other characters have a voice or do you expect them to remain voiceless? Eddie does have a voice, however, it is very high pitched and Eddie is also shy, so he whispers in Kari s (the performer) ear and she speaks for him. A lot of the humour comes from their interaction. This idea can be played with, we are open to new ideas. Clean Foundation Responses to Questions: EAOT RFP 3

4 7. Are there video or animations of the characters available? No, we currently don t have any animations or videos available related to the live puppet show. 8. Does an educational team visit the schools with devices? The game should be a standalone product with teacher extension activities that an educator could use to further their student s learning. There is not currently a vision of educators visiting individual schools to promote the game, but Clean will be promoting it through our teacher networks and school board contacts. 9. Are there existing songs and music used in the Puppet show that we can incorporate into the game? That could be a possibility. I have attached an appendix with a sample from the script, images of some of our characters, the logo we use currently for the show and two 30 second sound clips. However, we aren t looking to recreate the show in the game. We would like the game to be a separate entity, so that it would be a benefit to those that have seen and haven t seen the show. That said with the right idea, perhaps the elements from the show could be integrated. We are more interested in the creative ideas put forward rather than the specifics. 10. What specifically are you referring to when you say "to be able to stand alone as a game with teacher extension activities"? We would like the game to be enjoyed and played without needing to see the live puppet show, that is what we mean by the "standalone phrase. Teacher extension activities are activities that teachers can do to support the learnings within the game. Our Clean staff will help with the development of these real world activities in conjunction with the game development. Clean Foundation Responses to Questions: EAOT RFP 4

5 Technical: 1. How will the game be distributed? Will we be responsible for creating a website? If an online game option is being considered, please keep in mind that all schools in NS may not have the bandwidth to support it and/or block internet based games, this may affect the accessibility of the game for use in the classroom. Having the game available for download to a device that does not need a constant internet connection, may be the preferable option. For the download game option with respect to the website, that depends. If it is a simple download, Clean would add a page to our website with photos and the extension activities. Our website is based on a WordPress Template that an external company manages for us. If there is an innovative idea for the website option, that possibly integrates activities or other elements, the creation of a website may be needed. 2. The line "be able to be played within an approximately minute time frame. Are you referring to how much actual play time necessary for a player to spend in the game, getting through the majority of the content? Yes. That amount of time would probably be the best fit for the classroom for a teacher set up the game and then debrief. Be mindful that some students may blast through the game, so if there is something built in to occupy those players, so teachers don t have students with nothing to do on their hands. This would be the amount of time allotted for students to experience most of the content within the game. 3. Do you have a list of devices we are required to support? Currently, we do not have a specific list in mind. Wanted to throw that out there to the land of expertise and see what comes back. Targeting the most popular devices for schools and for that age range instead of all devices would probably be a more realistic approach. 4. Will the teacher activities be created by Clean? Will they be downloaded separately from the game or will the activities need to be built into the game itself? We hope to work on this very closely with the developer, so integrating activities from the real world with the game could be a possibility, but not a necessity. We have staff who are very familiar with NS DoEd curriculum outcomes and have worked in the schools quite extensively, so Clean will be taking the lead on the teacher extension activities, but again working closely so that the activities dovetail with the game. 5. Will the game only be played on school devices or will users be able to use their personal devices as well? While this project will be targeting the classroom, it would make sense to have it available to the public. Maybe little Suzie would like to teach her folks about the Air Quality Health Index when she got home from school. Clean Foundation Responses to Questions: EAOT RFP 5

6 6. Is there any expectation for specific game genres? No, we don t have a specific game in mind. We want it to be accessible and engaging for the 4-8 age range, but beyond that we wanted to hear from the experts as to what your ideas are. 7. What type of analytics would you be looking for to support evaluation of the game, and will all technical support and analytic matters be fully completed by February 29th, 2016? We would like to know what could be built into the game that could be measured & analyzed and help us understand how successful our game is. The final deadline for this project is February 29 th, 2015 for everything, with invoices provided to Clean by March 15, The funds for this project are for this fiscal year only and we do not know what if any additional funding is available into the next fiscal year. It would not hurt to include options for ongoing technical and upgrade support that would be needed. 8. Will you be doing any focus / kid testing of the game on your end or would you require us to do such testing on our end? We would definitely like the testing to be collaborative and would like to do as much of this as we can, so that we can offer meaningful and valuable feedback. 9. For Eddie and the other characters art direction, would you like us to follow any style guides or design rules when creating them for the game? Making it look fun, professional and engaging to kids in the 4-8 age range, beyond that we don t have anything specific in mind. 10. Is there any expectation that the game is going to be primarily 2D or 3D in nature? Nope, no preference. As long as the final product looks great and is enticing. 11. Do you want social media elements included in this game? That could be an interesting possibility. Keep in mind the permissions ultimately rest with the parents and in my experience, some parents would be fine and others would have concerns. Clean Foundation Responses to Questions: EAOT RFP 6

7 Appendix A: Script Sample from Eddie & the Air Out There Show Alright Eddie, let's begin. In the hands of our volunteers I have three bottles of air. Eddie shakes his head laughing slightly as if to say 'good one'. No really Eddie there s air in those bottles. Eddie moves his hand in front of his eyes to check if he's blind. No you don t need glasses Eddie, there is actually air in those bottles! You see we can t always see the air even when it might be dirty. Trust me, I filled the bottles myself. Eddie collects himself. So here is what I'm going to do, I m going to tell you what kind of air is in each bottle and you can use your 'super smart powers' to tell me what we should do with it. Are you ready? Eddie nods excitedly and plays along in the excitement that builds. This is so exciting! Here we go! The first bottle, the very first bottle, here in front of you, sealed tight, ready for your powers... is filled with dog toots! Eddie freezes and does a slow turn to the audience. He taps me madly on the chest and whispers in my ear. You need me to open a window? Uh huh, then what? Eddie whispers in my ear. Then you will throw the bottle out the window and save the day! Eddie raises his arm and lifts his chin in triumph. Uh NO. Eddie, we can t throw a bottle out the window, we might hit someone and more importantly that would be littering. Helloooo, never litter, never litter, if you do you ll hurt a critter! That s your own rhyme. Any other ideas? Eddie pauses for thought and then whispers in my ear again. You need a spaceship. Whyyyyy? Whisper... So you can blast all the dogs out into outer space and never have to smell another dog toot again. Save the day! Eddie waives to the sky triumphantly Nice try Eddie. How about we ask the class this time? Clean Foundation Responses to Questions: EAOT RFP 7

8 Appendix B: Visual Samples from Eddie & the Air Out There Show Windy Wendy Robert Plant Current Logo for Eddie Show Clean Foundation Responses to Questions: EAOT RFP 8