Children’s Museum Kinect Sandbox, 11/6/18

We were given some restrictions, as this is going to be an exhibit rather than a sit down and do game. I thought since we will be dealing with children and their parents, we should make something that isn’t complicated but fascinating. So i thought adding another layer of science that would need the depth and distance information provided by the baseline product, that led to wind or water, water already exists and wind has more unique potential when dealing with non-ending game qualities.

First Game Brainstorm:

1.  Physics sim education
2.  In addition to the normal depth mechanics, adding Digital Wind flowing at a certain depth from a certain side of the box. Changing the sand changes the flow of the wind, increasing and decreasing speed. the wind speed will be shown where it is “Leaving” the box (Touching another side) encouraging trying different sand shapes and setups to change wind speeds.
3.  (I don’t think a video game actually uses this mechanic yet)
4.   But “Wind” instead of “Water”
5.  The serious game goal is to add a active/gamey mechanic to the already existing ARsandbox. To excite but also educate our target audience, children and their parents.
6.  While abiding to the no defined end requirement it provides numbers that can be changed giving a goal to those who interact that may be unique to the user. providing another layer of entertainment while also furthering education with wind dynamics, also being super cool to parents.
7. Heavy scientific basis, will entertain nearly any age, and intuitive “rules”.

Augmented Brainstorm (edits):

So after some class discussion, I’ve done a reinvention on my idea to be more drawing to the eye and visually complex.

Alterations:

Change the topographical field into a grassy hill landscape, the wind rustling the grass in waves. Change the denotation of wind movement from more scientifically defined lines to leaves and flower petals in the wind. Using this game for aesthetic inspiration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FRKGU9Zu_o. Also making flowers grow where the wind is light and if a large enough wind hits the flowers they will blow away with the wind.

Team Member:

Myself,

Noah Dartt,

Chris Reitz,

Seth Nunley.