ShipShape virtual training game

The Brief

Setting Sail on Cyber Security

Hapag-Lloyd, a leading global shipping company, sought an innovative way to train their employees on cyber security. Inspired by the success of previous training games for Ahold Delhaize, Clarity devised the concept for ShipShape, a single-player escape room game designed to educate employees on cyber security in an engaging and interactive manner. Clarity provided the concept and design, while Spinbox was tasked with developing the game using .NET Core and Angular. The goal was to create a series of puzzles set on a ship, challenging employees to enhance their cyber security knowledge and skills.

Solution

Navigating the Development Waters

Spinbox collaborated closely with Clarity to bring the ShipShape escape room to life. The game was developed as a .NET Core application with Angular for the UI and game logic. Here’s how the project was executed:

Development and Integration:
- Tech Stack: utilised .NET Core for the backend and Angular for the frontend to ensure a robust and interactive user experience.
- Database Management: implemented a database to store player information and game data, enabling the export of player stats and leaderboard display.
- Compatibility and Accessibility: ensured the game was compatible with Microsoft Edge and developed for desktop play only, in-keeping with Hapag-Lloyd's technical requirements.
Game Features:
- Interactive Gameplay: The game room was designed with four different screens, each containing clickable elements leading to various puzzles. The puzzles needed to be solved in a specific order, adding to the challenge.
- Puzzles:
  - Peli’s Passwords: a multiple-choice quiz on password security.
  - Phishy Business: identifying red flags in simulated emails to learn about phishing threats.
  - Columbus’ Crossword Challenge: a crossword puzzle focusing on cyber security terminology.
  - Vishing Vendetta: players listened to phone calls to identify trustworthy and untrustworthy scenarios.
- Leaderboards: created a dynamic leaderboard to display the fastest times of the top 20 players displayed at the end of the game, and a separate leaderboard page accessible without playing the game to encourage competition between colleagues.

Results

Anchoring Success with Engaging Training

While the game has not yet gone live, the development phase has successfully met the project objectives and expectations. The collaborative effort between Clarity and Spinbox resulted in a sophisticated and engaging training tool for Hapag-Lloyd. Key outcomes include:

Enhanced Training: the interactive nature of the game is expected to significantly improve Hapag-Lloyd employees' understanding of cyber security.
User Engagement: the first-person perspective and gamified approach promise to maintain high levels of engagement, making learning enjoyable.
Data Analytics: the game's backend setup provides valuable insights into player performance, allowing Hapag-Lloyd to identify areas where employees may need further training.
Future-proof Design: the use of .NET Core and Angular ensures that the game is built on a modern and scalable platform, ready for future updates and enhancements.

Spinbox's expertise in web application development and Clarity's innovative design have culminated in a promising tool that aligns with Hapag-Lloyd's training objectives, setting a new standard for corporate training in cyber security.