The School of Planet Powers
For Extraordinary Children
Arts Council Wales Funded Immersive R&D Project
Project Overview
Funding: Arts Council of Wales (Two R&D Phases – 2022 & 2024)
Partners: Pontio (Bangor), Fran Wen, RSPB Cymru
Format: Interactive immersive learning experience (Development Phase)
Audience: Children and young participants
The School of Planet Powers is an original immersive learning concept developed through two Arts Council Wales funded research and development phases.
The project explores how interactive narrative, game mechanics and environmental messaging can be combined within a structured immersive format designed for young audiences. Working in collaboration with cultural and environmental partners, the R&D focused on developing a cohesive narrative framework supported by participatory games, character-led storytelling and digital interaction.
Our Role
Puzzle Junction led the concept development and immersive format design, including:
Original IP development and world-building framework
Narrative architecture and structural design
Interactive game mechanic prototyping
Participant journey mapping
Script and scene development
Iterative testing through live sharings with children
The R&D phases enabled the team to test engagement mechanics, refine messaging and strengthen the structural coherence of the immersive experience.
Development Process
Across two structured R&D phases, the project moved from exploratory world-building and gameplay design toward a consolidated narrative framework.
Key areas of focus included:
Establishing the internal “rules” of the immersive world
Testing interactive game systems with live participants
Integrating environmental messaging with story mechanics
Refining pacing and participant interaction
Responding to structured feedback from young audiences
The development culminated in interactive sharings that tested the narrative arc, gameplay elements and audience journey.
Strategic Outcomes
Two successfully funded Arts Council Wales R&D phases
Cross-sector collaboration between arts and environmental organisations
Development of scalable immersive learning IP
Live audience testing informing structural refinement
Strengthened framework for future production or touring phases
Project Significance
The School of Planet Powers demonstrates Puzzle Junction’s capacity to develop original immersive IP through structured research and development, combining narrative design, interactive systems and educational messaging within a cohesive immersive format.
Experience Overview
The short film below documents the R&D process and early-stage interactive testing, illustrating how narrative, gameplay and environmental themes were integrated within the immersive framework.
