A Hands-On Historical Journey
For the Bass Strait Maritime Centre, we helped bring their ambitious ship simulator project to life – an interactive installation called Captain’s Wheel. Developed in collaboration with 808 Solutions and the BSMC team, this project fuses maritime history, immersive gameplay, and real-world hardware into a hands-on experience that’s both educational and fun.
Welcome to Devonport, 1920s
The concept: transport players back to Devonport Harbour in the 1920s, placing them in control of a ship navigating a historically inspired environment. We recreated the port with careful attention to detail, drawing on reference imagery and records to accurately reflect the buildings, ships, and landmarks of the time.
Real Hardware Meets Digital Gameplay
The physical setup includes a touchscreen interface for navigating menus, side buttons to launch mini-games, an authentic ship’s wheel, and a working Engine Order Telegraph (E.O.T.). These tactile controls were all integrated with the Unity-powered simulator to offer smooth, real-world responsiveness.
Guided by Story and Sound
A sequence of waypoints guides players across the harbour, with each one triggering dialogue from Captain Billy and Faye – two characters we developed to narrate the journey with a mix of historical insight and personality. Their commentary is complemented by period-inspired sea shanties, specially written and recorded to reflect Devonport’s heritage. In total, the voiceover spans nearly 60 minutes of custom-recorded dialogue, supported by dozens of sound effects and music tracks that help bring the world to life.
Rich Detail and Mini Games
To bring the world of 1920s Devonport to life, we created over 100 unique in-game assets that filled the harbour with period-accurate texture and charm. Beyond buildings and vessels, we added animated characters working along the docks and aboard ships – adding movement and human presence to the environment. Dolphins and whales help liven up the waterline, while carefully placed props – crates, barrels, signage, and tools – anchor the scenes in the right historical feel.
The ship itself was built with a high level of detail, including a carefully modelled bow and functional rigging that sways and responds to the ship’s movement. These touches made the simulation feel grounded, but still playful and engaging.
In addition to the main sailing missions, the experience includes three mini-games, accessible via physical buttons on the side of the installation. Each game offers a fun, thematic break from the main simulation. Together, all these elements – assets, animation, mini-games – contribute to an experience that’s educational, richly detailed, and genuinely fun to play.
Morse Code Game
Players must quickly type the correct button sequence to send out distress signals.
Semaphore Game
Using directional input, players adjust a sailor’s arms to match classic semaphore flag signals.
Lobster Game
A light-hearted arcade-style challenge where players dodge incoming obstacles while collecting lobsters.
A Playable Slice of History
Captain’s Wheel isn’t just a simulator – it’s a window into local history, disguised as a game. By mixing storytelling, design, and interactive tech in Unity, we created something that invites players to explore the past not just with curiosity, but with their hands on the wheel.