Breinbril

Breinbril was a game developed with and for the University Museum in Utrecht. The aim of the game was to recognise the museum objects.

That sounds easier than it is, because one has to do so in the dark. By using sound and descriptions given on the screen, one has to decide whether something is an object from the museum. The target group for the game is children in the age of eight to twelve.

This game is special in that way, that the use of sound is in fact the only way to play it. To be able to navigate in the dark, one can use a 'sonar' device. With this sonar, one can listen to the echo from four sides, and then make a next step that can lead to an object, a wall or an open space to walk through.

Once an object is found, it is possible to 'touch' it, by pressing a key. This will invoke a sound that belongs to the object before the player. With this information, the player has to find out whether this is an object from the museum and if it is, which one. There is a choice from a menu, by typing in the number the player can chosse a particular object.

If the correct choice was made, the player will be rewarded with an animation of the object. Another reward is a growth in 'brains'.  A wrong choice gives the animation  of what should have been right, and in this case the 'brains' will shrink.

It was a explicit choice not to reward in points, but give a visual score in the form of growing brains. At the end of the game the director of the museum will have a speech ready to compliment the player or to encourage to score better next time the game is played.