Gorillamatics 2.0

Retro Background
Updated logo
Lobby
Lobby
Landing Page
Player networking at 90% functionality. Here, a lobby is generated with a unique join code
Design

Inspiration

We took inspiration from our experience of how education can be hard. Studies conducted by EdX show that classes that teach quantitative subjects like Mathematics and Physics tend to receive lower ratings from students in terms of engagement and educational capacity than their qualitative counterparts. Of all advanced placement tests, AP Physics 1 receives on average the lowest scores year after year, according to College Board statistics. The fact is, across the board, many qualitative subjects are just more difficult to teach, a fact that is compounded by the isolation that came with remote working, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. So, we would like to find a way to promote learning in a fun way. We also took inspiration from another educational game from the history of computing. In 1991, Microsoft released a programming language and environment called QBASIC to teach first time programmers how to code. One of the demo programs they released with this development environment was a game called Gorillas, an artillery game where two players can guess the velocity and angle in order to try to hit their opponents. We decided to re-imagine this iconic little program from the 90s into a modern networked webgame, designed to teach students kinematics and projectile motion.

What it does

The goal of our project was to create an educational entertainment game that allows students to better engage in qualitative subjects. We wanted to provide a tool for instructors for both in-classroom and remote education and provide a way to make education more accessible for students attending remotely. Specifically, we focused on introductory high school physics, one of the most challenging subjects to tackle. Similar to Kahoot, teachers can setup a classroom or lobby for students to join in from their devices. Students can join in either as individuals, or as a team. Once a competition begins, students use virtual tape measures to find distances in their surroundings, determining how far their opponent is and the size of obstacles that they need to overcome. Based on these parameters, they can then try out an appropriate angle and calculate an initial velocity to fire their projectiles. Although there is no timer, students are incentivized to work quickly in order to fire off their projectiles before their opponents. Students have a limited number of shots as well, incentivizing them to double-check their work wisely.

How we built it

We built this web app using HTML, CSS, and Javascript. Our team split up into a Graphics Team and Logics Team. The Logics Team implemented the Kinematics and the game components of this modern recreation of QBASIC Gorillas. The Graphics Team created designs and programmed animations to represent the game logic as well as rendering the final imagery. The two teams came together to make sure everything worked well together.

Challenges we ran into

We ran into many challenges which include time constraints and our lack of knowledge about certain concepts. We especially ran into challenges with the networks aspect of the game. Due to the front end not being delivered in time for the network framework, we did not have enough time to debug the problems that were appearing.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

The game logically works in single player game. We are proud that we were able to logically implement the entire game, as well as having all the necessary graphics to show its functionality. We also have managed to add all the functionality for the networking aspect in the back end.

What we learned

We learned the intricacies of game design and game development. Most of us have usually worked with more information-based websites and software technologies. We learned how to make a webapp game from scratch. We also improved our HTML/CSS/Javascript knowledge and our concepts of MVC. We also learned more about how to create a multiplayer game on top of a network.

What's next for Gorillamatics

First, we would fix the networking aspect of the game. Then we would either add more obstacles to our current game or we would try to create more Physics game to make the educational aspect more engaging. Finally, we would like to distribute this tool to teachers and students who need it.