Thunderstruck

How did it begin?

The idea of the game has come a long way, switching from fun magnetic pieces that can be put together that can light up, to the final design, incorporating these pieces to make a fun puzzle with an interactive UI, that people of all ages can have fun with and play multiple times, which was our main goal. Even though we were presenting in a children's museum, we wanted something that people of all ages could have fun with and play multiple times.  The first prototype used simple magnets to connect and was made out of cardboard, enough to convey the design and concept of the game. Our next prototype featured magnetic pogo pins used in MagSafe chargers nowadays. This prototype also lit up when each piece was connected to the next. 

The Final Design and How it Works

Our final design was a puzzle that incoroparted photoresistors to detect when a piece is placed on a wood grid. Once all the resistors are triggered, the game ends showing you your final time. Our game also had an interactive UI that shows things like hints of where to place the blocks, your current time, and instructions on how to play the game. It turned out to be a major success for adults and kids alike at the Boston Childrens Museum, where we had young children test out our game, some coming back multiple times to beat their last attempt, in the hopes of a better time.