The current demo is a strong foundation: a single, DAO‑inspired observatory site, a large telescope you can operate in VR, and a way to move between the view from the ground and a pulled‑back perspective of where those targets live in the cosmos. The next phase is about turning that foundation into a complete learning platform.

1. Deepening the Core Experience

Right now, the experience shows what’s possible; the next step is to give it structure and depth.

Planned work includes:

Guided observing tracks

Curated paths that take users from their very first session to more advanced observing:

• “First Light” for complete beginners.
• Seasonal sky tours that highlight key constellations and objects visible at different times of year.
• Lunar and planetary nights focused on the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, and the brighter planets.
• Future tracks for deep sky, like introductory Messier marathons.

Context at every step

Each track would not only show what to look at, but also:

• Where it is in the sky from the ground.
• Where it sits in the Milky Way or beyond.
• How it relates to the instruments and techniques being used.

Funding here would go toward:

• Designing and scripting these tracks.
• Implementing the logic and UI that guide users through them.
• Adding voiceover or visual prompts to keep the experience approachable.

2. Expanding and Polishing the Content

The current build shows what careful research and solo development can achieve. To reach a production‑ready level, I need to scale content creation.

Key goals:

Environment and asset polish

• Higher‑fidelity models and textures for the observatory, telescope, and surrounding site.
• Better lighting, atmosphere, and subtle animation to make the space feel alive.

UI and interaction refinement

• A more cohesive visual language across menus, labels, and in‑world prompts.
• Micro‑animations and feedback cues that make complex interactions feel intuitive.

Art direction consistency

The recent collaboration with an art director on cover art and UI/UX showed how much faster and more cohesive things can be when that role is properly resourced. Future funding would:

• Support ongoing art direction.
• Allow contracting 3D artists and UI designers to carry that style through the entire experience.

This frees my time to focus on:

• Systems and interaction design.
• Astronomical accuracy and performance.
• New learning features.

3. Multi‑User “Star Party” Modes

One of the most powerful parts of the real DAO experience is its social aspect: being guided by someone who knows the sky and can answer questions in real time.

Planned multi‑user features:

Small group sessions

• A host/facilitator role (e.g., an educator, outreach volunteer, or advanced user).
• 4–10 participants joining the same virtual observatory.

Shared observing

• Everyone sees the same telescope target and sky conditions.
• The host can highlight objects, control time, and point out features from both the ground view and the pulled‑back cosmic view.

Voice and presence

• Lightweight avatars and voice chat for conversation and Q&A.
• Simple gestures or tools for the host to “point” and annotate.

Investment here would go toward:

• Networking and session management.
• UX for joining, hosting, and moderating sessions.
• Server or infrastructure costs for running regular star parties.

4. Tools for Educators and Outreach Teams

For schools, planetariums, and observatories, Night Simulator should be a tool, not just a one‑off experience.

Planned educator features:

Session presets and control panels

• Choose a theme (e.g., “Intro to Galaxies,” “The Moon Tonight”).
• Set duration, difficulty, and key learning outcomes.

Progress and engagement indicators

• Basic metrics like which targets were visited, how long users spent on each segment, or which modules were completed.

Integration with existing programs

• Materials or templates that help educators tie VR sessions to their curriculum or public talks.

Funding would support:

• Designing and building these dashboards and tools.
• User testing with real educators and outreach staff.
• Documentation and examples so they can adopt it quickly.

5. Accessibility and Comfort

A key goal is making Night Simulator usable for as many people as possible, not just those already comfortable in VR.

Planned improvements:

Control and mobility options

• One‑handed modes and simplified interaction schemes.
• Adjustable locomotion (teleport, smooth, or hybrid) and comfort settings.

Visual accessibility

• Contrast and color presets that help users with low vision or color blindness.
• Text scaling and layout options for readability.

Comfort‑oriented pacing

• Session lengths and intensity levels that can be adjusted for classrooms, outreach events, or individuals who are new to VR.

Funding in this area would go toward:

• Design and implementation of these modes.
• User testing with a more diverse group of participants.
• Iteration on comfort and clarity based on feedback.