Game Idea A Week: Reflex Training

Week Twenty-Eight (14/04/2010)

In the idea for this week, you train your reflexes and use the in-built microphone to interact with the mini-games, which include quick spotting, memory, snap and more.

Platform:

Nintendo DSi or iPhone

Genre:

Casual Game

Why it needs to be made:

There aren't many games that use the microphone capabilities of the DSi and iPhone. This game uses the microphone to test how quickly players can react.

Description:

The game is composed of a series of mini-games. In each game the player is encouraged to use the microphone to speak their answer, however players can always touch buttons on the screen. Each mini-game has a number of levels (with increasing difficulty) that the player should complete to become a master at that game.

The mini-games are:

• Snap: Players are shown cards with simple shapes one after the other. When the player sees two of the same shape directly after each other, they must say "Snap". Each card is only shown for a short amount of time before the next card is placed on top.
• Name the Shape: Players are shown shapes and silhouettes of animals. They must say the correct name (or type in the answer) as quickly as possible.
• Catch the Ball: A ball is shown on the top of a table with a hand ready to catch it some distance underneath (but to the side so not directly in the ball's path). At some random point in time it will start to fall to the bottom of the screen. Players must say "now" to catch the ball at the correct moment when the ball reaches same height as the waiting hand.
• Count quickly: The player is told they will need to count the number of a particular object (e.g. cats) on the next screen. A screen is displayed showing a picture with the objects hidden about it. The player needs to count as many as they can and then respond quickly with the number they can see, e.g. "five".
• Memory: The player is shown a series of shapes and told to remember the shapes. Then they are asked which of the following three shapes was not one of the ones shown previously.

Why it will be a compelling game:

The game will appeal to children since they are simple games children can understand easily and help children learn. Adults may be interested in playing the game to improve their reflexes.

Other thoughts: