Madisyn Kovach
Assignment: 5 game ideas that can utilize social distancing as a mechanic or make it part of the game.
Idea 1: Pop-up Checkers (Over quarantine, my brother and I seemed to always be playing checkers)
Meaning: A 3D virtual board will pop up on your phone and you will still feel like you are with someone playing.
Need: 2 players
Audience: Could go for the younger or older generation
Idea 2: Hey Alexa, Move the Dots (Inspired by Sorry)
Meaning: You will have a normal board with a plug. When you plug in the board, colored digital chips will pop up on the screen. You will need to say things like “Alexa shuffle the cards”, “Alexa pick a card”, or even “Alexa move the blue dot three spaces” (depending on what card you get). The board will be in the shape of an Alexa. Directions will be on the QR code on the back.
Need: 4 players, an Alexa, a phone to download the app
Audience: Younger People/Teens (10-20)
Idea 3: Quarantine (drawing game)
Meaning: While in quarantine, you must draw how you think your friend would redo each room in their house. After a player is done drawing, your drawing will be revealed to you friend. Whatever items are in the same place in both of your drawings will earn you a point.
Need: 2 players, white board/markers, or even could be done on your phone
Audience: 20 and up
Idea 4: Wash Your Hands!
Meaning: Wash your hands is to keep the game fun but not touching anything at the same time. When placing your hand under an electric soap dispenser, it will tell you how many spaces to move. (Maybe the board could plug in so it can show the sink dripping and thats how your spaces will move from point A to point B)
Need: 4-8 players
Audience: 5 and up
Idea 5: One Way
Meaning: Kind of working off of Candyland, you will only be able to move on way on the board. Its a start to finish game.
Need: 4 players and the game
Audience: 5-12 years old
I really like the “Hey Alexa, Move the Dots” game idea. This is an interesting concept that I have not really seen much of. I think it could be really interesting utilizing this technology that we have.
The only thing with idea 3 that I think may be a problem is how random it may be. You might have to give directions to list out 5 items in the room to move so that each player has the same objects.
The “Hey Alexa” standouts as a concept, as voice controlled games would benefit from some serious thought. I’d ponder and continue to generate ideas around this concept.