The game Ball Blast explores how factors such as mass, power, and other variables can affect a ball's aerodynamics and flight path. The game was designed for people interested in and involved in the mathematics and physics of aerodynamics. There is both a physical and a digital version of the game to gather feedback and create a fluid, working game.
Inspiration & Personal Learning Journey
Game Inspiration:
Angry Birds
Personal Learning Preferences:
Math, Physics, Creation
+
Precedents
Aesthetics: (Vibe& Emotional)
Angry Birds
Dynamics: (Behavior )
Love Balls
Mechanics: ( System & Components)
Learn 2 Fly
Sketch Exploration
Core Game Loop
Game Elements & Rules
Mechanics: Power, Mass, Air Resistance, Ground Friction, Elasticity, Launch Angle.
Dynamics: Depending on settings, the ball reacts differently with obstacles.
Aesthetics: Simple - Dark background, calming, and not too overstimulating.
Prototype
Game Testing
1) Too much information thrown at your at once
2) Not enough creativity involved.
3) Not enough levels to play
4) Varies in difficulty
Observations
Iteration I
The Shift: Adding popups for the first 5 levels that each teach you a needed skill and how to use it.
The Why: By adding only one new feature at each level and explaining how it works, it is much less overwhelming and allows the player to gain a better understanding of each topic.
The Insight: It was overwhelming to take in all of the information at once.
Iteration II
The Shift: Making a built-in editor that allows players to create levels and upload them.
The Why: By creating an editor, it solves two problems at once: it allows for more creativity by letting the player make whatever they want, and it also gives more levels for players to play because they can play each other's levels.
The Insight: There is not enough creativity inside the game, and not enough levels to play.