Other Games: Abstract

Abstract Games

Games like Line Rider are in many ways a game design application disguised as a game. By starting with a literal clean slate, the player is allowed to create the world that they want to see. The only limitations are the physics of the world itself. This type of game is well suited to a science class, in which the teacher could set out a list of tasks that the line course must meet (i.e. 2 reversals of direction, 3 loops, and the ride must last at least 30 seconds), and then let the students experiment with different designs that would meet this criteria. During the design, there would be opportunities to discuss the physics and the variables that make the ride more effective, which could then be linked to the design of actual amusement park rides, like roller coasters or water slides, or the physics of events like bobsled.

The danger with this type of game is similar to the danger of handing a student a blank sheet of paper and telling them that they can write anything they want. The pressure of filling the blank page can be daunting. However, if a handful of introductory activities were conducted with the group, and then a series of larger challenges were provided (i.e. who can build the most extreme ride), this would create a structure within which the students could express their creativity.