The Logical World of Zoombinis
Critique Blog — Post 4
Game Metadata
Game Name: The Logical World of Zoombinis
Designer/Developer: TERC
Platform: PC, Mac, Android, iOS
High-level instructional goal: Develop computational thinking skills to solve complex problems and develop solutions.
Link to Game: https://www.terc.edu/zoombinis/
Learning Objectives
A player must have some prerequisite knowledge to successfully play The Logical World of Zoombinis. Perhaps most obviously, the player needs technical knowledge of operating a computer. From a mental capacity, the player would need to have some ability to notice patterns and details and to infer a basic level of logical reasoning.
In The Logical World of Zoombinis, players are repeatedly presented puzzles paired with an ambiguous path forward. As players navigate these puzzles, one can see the influence of a number of learning objectives. Through trial and error and process of elimination, the player will further develop and practice their ability to (1) identify patterns and (2) extract usable information. Both of these skills are used to (3) devise and implement a solution for moving forward, based on the available and deduced information.
These practices directly correlate to the primary learning objective of the game, which is to develop computational thinking skills that players can apply to complex problems. This objective is especially relevant when considering the applicability to the fields of math and science.
Game Elements
As the narrative begins, we meet the Zoombinis, an entire race of little blue creatures who were captured and enslaved from their peaceful, fulfilled existence. The player is tasked with leading these creatures to freedom from Zoombini Isle. Players begin by creating a group of 16 Zoombinis, each with varying features: hair, glasses, feet, etc. These characteristics will later become crucial details as the player progresses along in their journey.
This game has four different difficulty levels. Easy, Normal, Hard, and Very Hard, all of which are depicted by different colored trails in the game. As the player progresses through the game, they will encounter different puzzles. The player must successfully navigate through these puzzles with 3 different bands of 16 Zoombinis. However, if any Zoombinis “get lost” throughout the course of the game, something that may happen during unsuccessful attempts to solve the puzzle, a player can return to the starting point to accompany more Zoombinis through the game and to the various “resting spots”. (This particular aspect of the game was something I was able to practice MANY times.)
To successfully complete the game puzzles and advance through the game, the player will have to guide the Zoombinis along the trail, over bridges, and through passageways making it past various guards. Players will learn that bridge guardians are allergic to certain features while other guardians will only allow you to pass once fed the perfectly topped pizza. Challenges that force the player to learn from trial-and-error and process of elimination to figure out how to get their accompanying Zoombinis safely through. The longer you take to figure out how to successfully navigate the puzzle and the more errors made, the more likely you are to lose Zoombinis.
Learning Principles
At the start of the game, the player’s first task is to assemble a band of 16 unique Zoombinis. This is the player’s first introduction to the varying characteristics of each character and early scaffolding for the higher goals of the game, as if it is these characteristics that the player will use to identify patterns and guide their Zoombinis through the game.
At the start of the game, the player’s first task is to assemble a band of 16 unique Zoombinis. This is the player’s first introduction to the varying characteristics of each character and early scaffolding for the higher goals of the game, as if it is these characteristics that the player will use to identify patterns and guide their Zoombinis through the game.
As the players embark on their journey and enter the mini challenges, they’ll encounter the induction/refinement principle of variability as they repeatedly encourage to find similarities among the Zoombinis whom the guardians allow to pass, but in varying situations. The instructions provided for each challenge is a reflection of the guided attention principles, directing students to deduct patterns. Additionally, they’ll be aided by multimedia throughout the game as the guardians provide verbal cues and descriptions to accompany the graphics of the game.
In returning to the memory/fluency principles, feedback is a significant part of the game as the player finds out immediately if their chosen Zoombini fits the pattern required for successful completion of the level. This forces players to take a closer look at the characteristics of the Zoombini (or perhaps Pizza!) from which they are to deduct patterns from and evaluate their compatibility.
Overall Critique
When my canvassing for game suggestions from friends began at the beginning of the semester, The Logical World of Zoombinis was one offering that was met with such great enthusiasm and recollection of early gaming memories, that it went to the top of my digital notes.
While embarking on my Zoombini filled journey, I found the game elements inviting, charming, and captivating, and I imagine that a younger population would feel similarly. The characters and framing of tasks make this a friendly approach to practicing problem solving and computational thinking, which I believe is what makes this a successful and sustainable game. The player will continually repeat the process of developing a hypothesis, testing the hypothesis, and adjusting based upon feedback which aids the development of their problem solving abilities, but because of the varying environments in which they practice this, they are able to do so without feeling like the practice becomes stale or boring. I think this is a key factor in the success of this game and what helps to keep players coming back for more.