A Sim Game for the 2nd Avenue Subway

OBJECTIVE

MTA Capitol Construction opened the Second Avenue Subway Community Information Center (CIC) in 2013 to educate the neighborhood about this essential but disruptive project. When people have a better understanding of the political, technical and design challenges involved, their frustration often turns to admiration. MTACC needed activities that would engage and excite this audience.

OUR APPROACH: TEST DRIVE THE 2ND AVENUE SUBWAY!

MediaCombo built an interactive component for the CIC exhibition series on iPads and large screens with headsets. Visitors can choose from five exhibitions about  the new subway line’s History, the Technology involved, the Design decisions, the People who built it, and the Future extension. Each exhibition has videos, maps and documents, in English and Spanish.

Test Drive the 2nd Avenue Subway Simulation Game

The CIC experience that has really garnered significant attention is the game we built, “Test Drive the Second Avenue Subway.” This high resolution 3D simulation, played with a physical controller, allows visitors to become a virtual subway operator, driving along stops at 96th, 86th, 72nd and 63rd streets.

THE IMPACT

• The game has been so popular MTA Capitol Construction organized a tournament with winners in three age categories.
• We were asked to build a portable version of the game on a sturdy laptop for CIC staff to take to street fairs and other demonstrations.
• The game is now installed in the new Community Information Center on 125th Street, where the MTA has begun educational outreach with the local community before work begins on the next phase of the subway, extending from 96th to 125th Street.
• Our game is now educating and entertaining a whole new group of local residents.

You can see what it is like to Test Drive the Second Avenue Subway below.