Carambola is a VR serious game that blends immersive storytelling, puzzle-solving, and cultural education to promote cultural awareness through the stars. Designed for the Meta Quest 2 & Pro , Carambola invites players into an escape room-style experience where learning is woven naturally into gameplay.

Step into a beautifully crafted virtual world where you'll explore constellations and myths from different cultures , using your acquired knowledge to solve progressively challenging puzzles. Each level is designed to enhance knowledge retention , using a mix of riddles and interactive environments to engage players on a deeper cognitive level.

Carambola is built on the principle that games can teach , and VR is a powerful tool to foster immersion and understanding. As players advance, they’ll encounter puzzles inspired by real-world cultural traditions , encouraging problem-solving and critical thinking through an engaging, story-driven experience.

Key Features :

• ✨ Immersive VR Escape Room Gameplay – Designed exclusively for Meta Quest Pro 2 , immerse yourself in an atmospheric world that encourages focus, discovery, and exploration.

• 🌍 Explore Cultural Constellations – Learn about mythologies and constellations from various cultures around the world.

• 🧩 Puzzle-Based Learning – Solve riddles and cultural puzzles that reinforce knowledge through interactive challenges.

• 📚 Progressive Level Design – Move from a guided tutorial room to problem-solving challenges, culminating in a deep dive into Chinese cultural astronomy.

• 🎓 Designed for Learning First – Education is at the heart of Carambola, using intrinsic player motivation to build cultural awareness and knowledge retention through play.

Whether you're a fan of VR puzzles, educational games, or are simply curious about the stars and stories of other cultures, Carambola offers a unique experience where learning becomes an adventure.

Brought to you by Team Carambola ,

TsungHan Yang - Creative Lead

Caroline Chou - Producer/Art Director

Nikhil Medanki - Gameplay Engineer

Lance Mendoza - Instructional Design Researcher

Collaborators:

Kai Jacobs - 3D Modeler

Siddharth Subramanian - U.I. Designer

Mohesha Bajpai - Design Assistant

Special thanks to Scott Durand for music, Vishwaas Khare for 3D assets, and Samantha Conde for research guidance.