Combining a Classic Race Game with Counting, The Space Race Game
Combining a Classic Race Game with Counting, The Space Race Game
There is a category of games which probably represents the oldest type of game, race games. This includes classics like Parcheesi, Candy Land, Sorry, Trouble, Cribbage etc. The basic goal of these games is to get your piece around the board before any other player.
In order use this type of game design for an online math game there were a couple of challenges to overcome. First the game board couldn’t be too large so It could be visible on a variety of screens. Secondly and more important I needed to turn the tables on the typical counting of moves. Instead of rolling the dice and counting to place your piece, I wanted the player to count ahead and select the number that would put their piece on a safe spot. As a bonus the player can count ahead up to ten places if there is safe spot to land and get a speed advantage.
So the game is not about lucky dice rolls but about counting ahead properly and more quickly as the level of difficulty increases. Add to this a colorful game board and space theme and its a nice tool to allow early counters to gain confidence and number sense.