In both of our concept maps, we focus on the same idea of an ecosystem where animals are constantly trying to gather enough resources while staying safe from predators. The ecosystem map shows this at a broad, biological level by laying out the full yearly cycle of a hedgehog. It includes mating season in the spring, babies leaving the burrow in the summer, the fall feeding period, and finally hibernation in winter. Predators like foxes and hawks show up throughout the cycle, which helps us highlight that danger is always present in the system.
[Image of our ecosystem map.]
Our game concept map takes the same system and makes it into a tighter and more player friendly loop. Instead of following the whole year, we chose to focus on the time leading up to hibernation. Players will choose paths for prey animals, collect food and water, dodge predators, and return to their dens. A lot of the long seasonal changes, like gradual weight gain or shifting food availability, are simplified into a single gathering phase. Predators are also turned into clear, immediate threats on the board. While the ecosystem map shows detailed timing across the year, in the game we plan to introduce reproduction as a smaller set of impactful moments that influence difficulty or resource needs. We are keeping the essence of it without recreating the entire seasonal progression.
[Image of our game concept map.]
Overall, the ecosystem map explains why animals behave the way they do in nature, while the game map focuses on how players experience those forces through mechanics and choices. Both maps center survival, but the game version makes the system more strategic and playable.
