Educational Gameplay Journal - Post 2
Game Metadata
Game Name: Hex Invaders
Developer: Three Five Two Inc.
Platform: PC, Mac, Browser
Instructional Goal: To teach guests how to identify hex codes and how they work
Link to the game: http://www.hexinvaders.com/
Educational Goals
The primary learning objective of Hex Invaders is to identify and match colors to their hex codes. The game assumes players can see all colors, identify them by name, and understand basic color theory (primary and secondary colors). It is helpful to understand basic color mixing but users don’t need prior knowledge of hex codes. There is a beneficial short introduction to the game that explains the numerical correspondence to the hex code digit position. It doesn't compare similar color shades or hex codes and keeps identification at a basic level. Hex codes are digital color names written in a numerical format primarily used in web and graphic design. There are opportunities for this knowledge to be transferred to digital design and artistic usage.
Game Elements
The core gameplay loop is destroying the space invaders by interpreting the given hex code, deciding which color invader it matches, and shooting it. The game’s level design gradually progresses in speed and number of invaders. Initially given three alien targets you select the one that matches the given hex code to shoot (the core mechanics) and if it is correct it moves to the next hex and set of aliens. If you choose the wrong one then the alien you shot’s hex code will appear and the aliens will get closer. Game mechanics such as audio cues, a level and point system, and the approaching aliens reinforce the stakes and game systems. The inner game loop is to fight off the space invaders by identifying and shooting the color “threat” while the outer game loop focuses on being able to identify hex codes and the numerical patterns that define colors.
Gameplay Verbs/ Nouns
Players read the hex codes of the invaders, analyze and compare the RGB values, and shoot the aliens.
Learning Mechanisms
The main learning mechanisms used are immediate feedback timing, pre-training, multimedia, comparison, and scaffolding. The most effective mechanism is the immediate feedback timing which gives you visual and audio cues when you select the wrong invader. It shows the hex code for the incorrect alien so you can distinguish the incorrect one from the given code and the aliens move closer. The pre-training is done through instructions that provide a good base for what the player will experience. This teaches players what the components of a hex code are and how they shift. Multimedia comes in the form of visual and audio feedback to make the experience more immersive and improve player engagement. The comparison of different colors to make players think about which alien the hex code matches is a successful tool. It helps them to break down the patterns and digits of the hex code and think critically about which invader is the threat. The game also utilizes scaffolding to help progress this line of critical thinking by starting with only a few invaders that are contrasting colors and progressing to more aliens that are more similar in color. While the learning mechanisms were completed correctly and assisted in teaching the players, there is a lot of room for expansion within the narrative or design to encompass how creative color theory is. There are opportunities to go beyond shooting space invaders that match the color but are not necessarily integrated into the vast science behind color.
Overall Critique
Hex Invaders is a straightforward game that utilizes a good foundation of learning mechanisms to teach players how hex codes work. It is a fun and engaging game for a short period but there is not much promise for continuous gaming due to the repetitive nature. It has an effective gameloop but there are a lot of possibilities to expand this game curriculum-wise through color theory or narrative-wise so there is a stronger incentive to continue playing beyond just an occasional break period.
Instructions provided by Hex Invaders.
