“Benefit Game: Alien Seaweed Swarms” is a multi-screen artificial life gameplay installation that explores the balance of a sustainable ecosystem of the seaweed swarm. The project combines a virtual ecosystem with a physical game machine to provide an interactive experience for the audience.

The inspiration for the project comes from Saccharina latissima, a seaweed species with a wide range of applications in food, cosmetics, and skincare products. Moreover, research indicates a correlation between the distribution of this species and human colonial history. As an introduced species, Saccharina latissima is prone to mutations due to environmental changes. Human cultivation of this seaweed for profit has led to its overexploitation, which can result in environmental degradation and the decline of seaweed populations.

The artwork features a unique cybernetic loop structure that includes audience observation and game token interaction. The underwater virtual ecosystem consists of seaweed swarms and symbiotic fungi, generated using Procedural Content Generation via Machine Learning and rule-based methods, respectively. The ecosystem is influenced in real-time by global weather data of areas where cultivating seaweed Saccharina latissima.

The audience is encouraged to interact with the virtual ecosystem using physical game tokens and a self-made game machine. They can also use seaweed tokens earned during gameplay to redeem seaweed-related products at a special bulk vending machine.

The project explores the relationship between human activities and the environment under dynamic climate change, within the context of the “Plantationocene”. By combining global real-time weather data, the virtual seaweed ecosystem, the physical game machine, and readymade products, the project highlights the fragile balance of our ecosystem and the impact of human actions on the environment.

Software: Unity (Game Development), Houdini (Procedural Content Generation), Pytorch (Machine Learning), Visual Studio (Programming), Arduino IDE (Programming) Hardware: A two-layer self-made game machine formed by aluminum profiles and acrylic sheets, a token acceptor, a token dispenser, a TFT screen, an Arduino Uno board, a customized bulk vending machine, several electronic components, several electrical wires, several lights. a short-throw projector displaying the Seaweed Swarm System, a monitor displaying the Fungi System, and a large screen mounted on a stand displaying weather-related “ecological conditions”.

Materials used to make the Self-made Game Machine: aluminum alloy, acrylic panel, tinned copper wire, token acceptor, token dispenser, TFT screen, Arduino Uno board, several electronic components; Customized bulk vending machine: aluminum alloy, acrylic panel; Game Tokens: Alloy; Software: Unity, Houdini, Arduino IDE, Pytorch