When compared to offline games, online versions offer many opportunities for increased user engagement. We were proud to partner with a leader in the field of educational game creation – Skillmatics – to help them bring an already successful card-based offline game to the digital world. Along the way, we incorporated a range of instructional design and technology-enabled elements – from sound and avatar design to built-in timers – to enhance player engagement.
The game in question – Guess In 10 – is designed to build and test general knowledge. A fun family learning game suitable for players across age groups, Guess In 10 is an easy-to-learn dice-driven game with some strategy elements, including Clue Cards and Bonus Questions. By asking a number of questions, players have to guess the animal or country on the Game Card.
The offline game is fun, educational and engaging. However, by taking it online, the digital version of the game opens up new possibilities, making it more interesting and easier to play for groups, especially while travelling.
Hornbill and Skillmatics discussed and determined a number of e-learning elements that could be added to enhance the game, made possible by the digital medium.
Hornbill FX played the role of a trusted and high quality execution partner in creating the online version of this card game. The digital game retains all key elements from the offline game using design and content elements from Skillmatics.
When travelling, players are likely to find it challenging to carry multiple decks of cards or other forms of content. That is the biggest advantage to going digital. With a single smartphone, you can access unlimited content packs and don’t have to carry a physical set of cards for each topic. Just like with e-books, you can have access to your whole library any time.
How do you keep track of scores and winners while playing offline? Usually, a separate notebook or application is required. The Skillmatics digital game does away with this issue with the automatic tracking of scores for players and teams, and also automatically declares results and the winner or loser of each game.
Gameplay is also simplified, since the number of questions asked, clues requested and guesses made are also automatically tracked by the digital game.
The Skillmatics game is suitable for players of all age groups, each with a different knowledge level. Based on need, the game can be played at different difficulty levels, with more or fewer guesses allowed, clues available, etc.
The digital game adds certain elements to make gameplay easier. By adding an introductory video with fun characters, the rules of the digital game are properly explained – and at the same time, the excitement of the game begins even before gameplay does.
The game also comes with the option to undo clicks made by mistake. This is especially useful since the game is targeted to both children and seniors.
The experience is enhanced by an added layer of music and SFX. The background music and sounds for celebrations, oops, etc, make the overall experience of the digital game that much more engaging.
