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"Make Me A Star!"
Episode 1 ・ Rainbow Galaxy
Get Ready!
Part 1
Luz...! Luz!!
???
Huh...? What...happened?
LUZ
Luz! Thank the stars you're awake.
One of the bots just knocked you over. Are you okay?
???
Uhh...maybe? I think I hit my head?
LUZ
Yikes. Do you remember who I am? What we do, where we are?
???
Umm...yes, you're Valeria.
We're both star-makers at the Rainbow Galaxy station.
LUZ
Good, you know that much.
Do you remember what happened right before this?
VALERIA
That's still fuzzy...mind catching me up?
LUZ
Everything's a mess thanks to Wolf — you know, the founder of Unibots?
VALERIA
Unibots...the company that invented the star-making bots?
LUZ
VALERIA
Right, the bots that do everything for us now.
Well thanks to that, our universe's stars are in danger.
LUZ (THINKING)
Stars...they're important to the people of Artierra, our home planet.
We make wishes on stars. They give us hope.
LUZ (THINKING)
In turn, people's wishes create stardust, which forms new stars.
A bunch of similar wishes can even make a galaxy.
LUZ (THINKING)
Each galaxy has a space station full of star-makers like Valeria and me.
We fuel existing stars and make new ones.
LUZ (THINKING)
With special technology, star-makers can shape the stars
to look like anything — usually, to reflect the people's wishes.
LUZ (THINKING)
More unique stars means more wishes and more stardust. The cycle continues.
LUZ (THINKING)
...But star-making is difficult. That's why everyone got
so excited when Unibots took over the whole process.
LUZ (THINKING)
Every station uses Unibots now, and no one knows
the older ways of star-making. It's just easier this way.
LUZ (THINKING)
But...I don't really like the way a bot-made star looks.
They're too...perfect. Same-y.
LUZ
...Oh! I remember now. Wolf, the one who started all this, he—
???
Ahem!
WOLF
This is Wolf, the universe's BIGGEST star,
broadcasting live to you all again!
WOLF
Is everyone enjoying the new Unibots update I rolled out?
Soon you'll all be free of your silly wishes and passions!
WOLF
Now that all the bots are making stars shaped like my beautiful face,
you'll have no choice but to admire me!
WOLF
Okay, gotta go. Looking forward to all the stardust
you'll make for me, my adoring fans! Byeee!
VALERIA
Ugh, did you hear that? He waited until his bots
were everywhere, until everyone depended on them.
VALERIA
Then today, he put his plan in motion — he took control over all the bots, ordered them to serve his own selfish desire.
LUZ
If all the stars look like Wolf, people's real wishes might fade...
that's awful. But what can we even do about it?
VALERIA
Most of the other star-makers are either panicking
or waiting for orders...but I have an idea. We follow this.
LUZ
...The station’s bot manual? That’s been locked up
in the main office for ages. How’d you even get that?
VALERIA
...Not important. According to this, there's a way
to reset the bots. Wipe them of all their code.
LUZ
Hm...I guess doing nothing is better than
making stars shaped like Wolf. But then what?
VALERIA
We restore our station back to normal. Using the old star-making technology.
LUZ
...Wait, what? I don't know how to do that. Do you?
VALERIA
Nah. But we have to start from somewhere, right?
Things can’t get worse than this, anyway.
LUZ
I...I don't know.
VALERIA
Come on, Luz. Haven’t you been bored lately? All we do every day
is press a button, then watch the bots do their thing.
VALERIA
And helloooo...we're supposed to be making stars for Rainbow Galaxy!
VALERIA
No way people are gonna feel inspired to make
colorful art if all the stars look like Wolf.
LUZ
...Okay, you have a point.
LUZ
I guess I'll help you out...for now.
VALERIA
I knew you'd make the right choice. C'mon, let's
head over to where all that old technology is.
LUZ
Huh...I've wondered what all these unused buttons and switches are for.
Can we really restore the station with these?
valeria
Yep, we just gotta figure out how they work. But first, let's
turn into our star forms so we can handle all the stardust.
LUZ
Oh, right. It's been a while since I've had to do this...
"Star Transformer, make me a star!"
valeria
That's better. Now, let me explain the basics.
Each of these areas is a computing system: basically, a bunch of different pieces that work together to achieve a goal.
valeria
That goal is to press the Starpad — the big yellow button — which will gather the stardust we need for each star.
valeria
The problem is figuring out how to reach the goal in each system. It's like solving a puzzle...you like puzzles, right Luz?
valeria
...I might. So I can think of the buttons and switches
as "puzzle pieces"?
LUZ
Yeah, along with anything else we can use.
valeria
Hm...can we use that yellow computer thingy too?
LUZ
I'm...not sure what that does, honestly.
Maybe we can use it to talk to other star-makers?
valeria
Or maybe it tracks the amount of stardust here?
LUZ
Maybe it can tell bots what to do...?
valeria
Ooh! Maybe it plays videos!
LUZ
Well, only one way to know for sure.
Let's try these puzzles out.
valeria
Explore!
Part 2
Think about this question while you play...
What does the
yellow computer do?
Be ready to vote then discuss
how you know after time is up!
What does the yellow computer do?
Vote before Discussing
Polling...
Responses
Lets you message other people
Tracks the amount of stardust
Tells the bots what to do
Plays videos
2
4
3
1
What does the yellow computer do?
How do you know?
Let's Pair Share!
Lets you message other people
Tracks the amount of stardust
Tells the bots what to do
Plays videos
2
4
3
1
Let's Pair Share!
What does the yellow computer do?
How do you know?
Lets you message other people
Tracks the amount of stardust
Tells the bots what to do
Plays videos
2
4
3
1
Learn!
Part 3
I've solved a few puzzles, but I'm stuck on this one.
Any tips, Valeria?
LUZ
I got you. First, let's make sure we understand the puzzle.
We can start by listing out all the pieces we see here.
valeria
Okay...to start, there's the Starpad. Pressing that is our goal.
LUZ
I also see two bridges.
We'll need to turn those on if we want to reach the goal.
LUZ
Yeah. Looking at the wires, I see each bridge is connected
to a crate pad.
valeria
Crate pad B has a cube weighing it down.
That must be why the bridge it's connected to is on.
valeria
B
Makes sense. There's also a bot over there...
LUZ
That type of bot is called a Grabber. It's different from
the Walker bot we saw in the other puzzle.
valeria
While Walkers can only walk around the area,
Grabbers can also pick up and drop things.
valeria
I see. Finally, there's the yellow computer we were
wondering about earlier. Turns out it's called a terminal.
LUZ
You were right about it, Valeria. The terminal lets us code the bots in a puzzle — give them instructions they can understand.
LUZ
Right. Why don't we try it out?
valeria
Woah...what does all this mean?
LUZ
Let's see...on the left, there's the
commands we can give the Grabber bot.
valeria
On the right is where our code will go.
Right now it's empty, so the bot won't do anything.
valeria
We can add code by clicking one of the
commands on the left. Try it, Luz.
valeria
Okay...maybe I'll add so the bot can
go pick up the cube?
LUZ
pick up at
Hm? I added it, but what's this now?
LUZ
You told the bot to pick something up, but it needs to know where that thing is. Should it pick up at crate pad A or B?
valeria
The cube is at crate pad B right now...so I'll choose B.
LUZ
B
Cool. Now that you added a command, you can run the code by clicking "Run" in the bottom right.
VALERIA
Huh? I don't think we're done with the code yet, though...
LUZ
Who says our code has to be right on the first try?
Not me, and I'm the only other person here.
valeria
We'll have an easier time solving puzzles if we run our code often just to see what happens. It helps to try things out.
valeria
If you say so. Here goes...
LUZ
Looks good so far. Now that we saw that, let's click "Reset" and choose what the Grabber should do next.
valeria
Hm...I'm guessing we should have the bot drop the cube at crate pad A. That'll turn on the bridge in front of us.
LUZ
A
Then we can cross it. Sounds good to me.
valeria
Okay. I'll add then click Run.
LUZ
drop at
A
Sweet, the bridge is on. Let's go, Luz.
valeria
Wait a second...now the bridge to the Starpad is off!
What do we do...?
LUZ
Hmm. Remember, the bots can't do the whole star-making process on their own anymore. We need to help them.
valeria
That means for all these puzzles, there's two parts to a solution: the bot code, and our own actions.
valeria
So the question is: do we need to change something about the code? Or do we need to take action ourselves?
valeria
Luz and Valeria are stuck trying to cross the next bridge. Which part of their solution needs more work?
Think independently before starting poll
Poll Preview
Vote!
Polling...
Responses
3
2
1
Both
Their own actions
The bot code
Luz and Valeria are stuck trying to cross the next bridge. Which part of their solution needs more work?
Vote!
3
2
1
Both
Their own actions
The bot code
Luz and Valeria are stuck trying to cross the next bridge. Which part of their solution needs more work?
Polling...
Responses
Hold up, I think I got it.
LUZ
I was so caught up in the code, I forgot that we're a piece of the puzzle, too. Thanks for reminding me, Valeria.
LUZ
Oh...! Uh, yeah, no problem! So, what'd you figure out?
valeria
Well, we definitely needed the bot to move the cube to
crate pad A. There was no way for us to cross otherwise.
LUZ
A
But now that we made it here...
we can just move the cube ourselves!
LUZ
I'll move it back to crate pad B
so that the bridge to the goal turns on.
LUZ
B
That was it! Nice one, Luz.
valeria
I thought maybe we needed to add more code for the bot.
But that wasn't even possible. Look here...
valeria
This bot has a line limit of 2. That means we can't add more than 2 lines of code here.
valeria
Huh...so we have to work around a line limit for every puzzle? Kinda annoying.
LUZ
We do, yes. But I think it's good info.
If we know the line limit, that narrows down our options.
valeria
True...if previous star-makers used these systems, then all puzzles must be solvable with the line limit.
LUZ
Exactly. Anyways, let's get going.
Why don't you press the Starpad, Luz?
valeria
Right. Hup!
LUZ
Great, now this system is fueling the Green Star again! Only a few more to go before our station is back to normal.
valeria
I'm guessing most puzzles will have bots. Let's keep in mind that we'll need to help them out with our own actions.
valeria
Right...we're important, too.
Even if I haven't felt that way in a long time.
LUZ
You are important, Luz. We all are.
valeria
That's why I'm not gonna let Wolf trample over all of us, over everyone's wishes. Are you with me?
valeria
Am I? I mean, can I really do this?
Valeria's always been on top of things, but me...
LUZ (THINKING)
Snap out of it, Luz. Even if these puzzles are hard, this is better than watching bots make stars of Wolf's face.
LUZ (THINKING)
...Yeah. I'm with you, Valeria.
LUZ
I'm glad. No time to waste then — let's solve these puzzles.
valeria
Keep Going!
Part 4
Keep this in mind as you play...
Made a mistake? No problem!
Remember to run your code often, even if you're not done!
Reset from the beginning
Press the R key
Rewind time
Press the Z key
Delete all code
Click the trashcan
Keep this in mind as you play...
Made a mistake? No problem!
To delete a line of code,
drag and drop it to the left.
Check In!
Part 5
LUZ
Did...did we just make a brand new star?!
VALERIA
We did...! We're pretty awesome, huh?
LUZ
I guess so?? I didn't think we'd really do it, honestly...
Not only did we restore all of Rainbow Galaxy's usual stars,
we created a new star: one of an actual rainbow!
LUZ (THINKING)
Our star isn't perfect-looking, but...
LUZ (THINKING)
We really made it ourselves.
LUZ
We're star-makers, aren't we?
Though this might be the first time I've felt like one.
VALERIA
Same. We both joined the Rainbow Galaxy because we like art,
but...we haven't done much of it.
LUZ
I feel you. But maybe now we can start again, yeah?
VALERIA
Yeah. I hope our star can inspire someone back in Artierra...
even just one person. That would make me happy.
LUZ
To whoever that person is...don't give up on your dreams.
LUZ (THINKING)
Let's Discuss! (2 mins)
What’s something you’re passionate about?
If you made stars, what would they be shaped like?
I hope we can make another star soon. I already have ideas...
VALERIA
Hey! You two, over there! You're the ones who fixed up the station, right?
STAR-MAKER A
That's us.
VALERIA
My stars, how'd you do it? Looking at the reports from the other stations,
we must be the only one working right now!
STAR-MAKER A
Just a bit of coding, plus a bit of doing things ourselves.
VALERIA
Actually...why don't we teach you and everyone else
how to do this method of star-making?
VALERIA
You know, just in case Wolf tries something else. Are you okay with that, Luz?
VALERIA
Huh? Oh, um...sure, why not?
LUZ
Great! Then after we explain it to everyone here,
we'll travel to the other stations to help them out.
VALERIA
Right....wait, what?
LUZ
That's a great idea! I'll go gather the other star-makers.
You two come by when you're ready to show us.
STAR-MAKER A
Hey, Valeria?! I didn't agree to all that!
LUZ
...Well, do you wanna stay here then?
VALERIA
...Hmm.
LUZ
Or do you wanna go on an adventure with me?
Help the other stations out, see what they're like.
VALERIA
Maybe we can even meet Wolf and tell him what we think of his "update."
VALERIA
That sounds...difficult. Also kind of scary.
LUZ
Yeah. And...?
VALERIA
And...it also sounds kind of fun.
LUZ
Okay. If you're going anyway, I'll join you.
LUZ
That's what I like to hear. C'mon, let's go
show the other star-makers what we know.
VALERIA
A while later...
Valeria and I did our best to explain things to everyone.
Some looked unsure, some looked excited.
LUZ (THINKING)
But everyone felt relieved to have control over the bots again.
I think they'll be okay.
LUZ (THINKING)
After that, they lent us one of the station's spaceships for our journey. Everyone wished us well.
LUZ (THINKING)
Okay! I've got the closest galaxy set as our destination.
Are you ready for take off, Luz?
VALERIA
Ready as I'll ever be.
LUZ
Let's do this, then. I've always wanted to drive one of these things...!
VALERIA
...Wait. You do know how to drive it, right?
LUZ
...Sure.
VALERIA
Oh no...
LUZ
Hang on tight, Luz. In 3, 2, 1...
VALERIA
Blast off!!
VALERIA
Until next time...
Time for a Video!
Let’s make sure volume is turned up and everyone can see before going to the next slide.