ASSIGNMENT 3 IDEAS

        I was given the task of designing three separate puzzles of three types, prototyping theme and refining one single puzzle into a  final polished deliverable that encapsulates everything I have learned over the last 3 weeks. However, there is a twist, in order to direct our work, a theme has been set, much like Assignment 2. This theme has a name - 'It's Da Bomb'. Much like the name suggests, the puzzle(s) have to revolve around defusing a bomb. The assignment demands that the puzzle implements a timer into the overall puzzle type. From this criteria, I have already come up with a few ideas;

• Cutting the wires of the bomb (Visual)
• Riddles to find the combination of the bomb (Language)
• Finding the bomb to defuse it (Exploration)
• Delegating weight to hit a target weight limit (Logic/ Mathematical)
• Completing calculation to unlock combination digits (Mathematical)
• Cutting the right amount of wires in the dark (Visual) 

From these initial ideas, I have already developed a few small, rough sketches. These are below;

    The idea with the sketch above was to have a puzzle dedicated to memory and visuals. Each square would represent a card that held either a symbol or number. The solver would have to memorise the positions of these in order to unlock digits of the bomb deactivation code.

    Through a lecture on design aspects of the puzzle, I learned of spacial puzzles within games. Spacial puzzles are something I find interesting when considering paper puzzles. The image above shows a variety of puzzle designs such as mazes and visual puzzles. However, the sketch on the top left is my attempt at a visual puzzle. I did eventually prototype this, however in a play tests session a family member said it was too hard and to quote "it stresses me out, I want to punch something".

    This is by far my most realised puzzle sketch. It is a mathematical puzzle that requires player to complete mathematical calculations in order to unlock deactivation code digits. From 4 or 5 numbers, the solver must reach the main number four times through 4 separate calculations within a time limit.  

From these sketches I have assisted myself in gaining a vision of the final three prototypes I need to develop. These puzzles will be;

Visual: The solver must cut the wires in the dark.
Mathematical: The solver must complete calculations in order to defuse the bomb.
Exploration: The solver must get to the bomb in the middle of the destroyed building.

NEXT POST: IT'S DA BOMB: PUZZLE PROTOTYPES