Game Overview

The game is primarily a graphical problem solving adventure game for children between the ages of 7 and 13 or Key Stage 2. Children are required to pick up a number of different objects scattered around the land and use them in the appropriate location. For example, the lake is too muddy to reach, so you have to wear the wellies from the shed, or the well is too dark to see down, so you have to find a torch. This is a useful learning concept as it allows children to make logical and reasoned conclusions about the environment in which they find themselves. There is also a limit to the number of objects that the player can take, so reasoned decisions must be made at all times as which objects need to be carried around.

Presented with a problem they have to work out the best way in which to solve it. Where children work in pairs or small groups this prompts a great deal of discussion and is an excellent way in which to promote team working and enhance PSE skills.

Scattered throughout the game are a number of larger puzzles requiring the children to remain in one location until this has been completed. To cater for a specific teaching topic or to tie in with whole class learning exercises, all the individual puzzles in the game can be accessed independently from the game. This allows the class teacher to work through a particular concept with an individual, small group or entire class of children, furthering the potential benefits the software could have in the classroom.

The Shattered Crystal is divided into two parts. The first part is short and relatively simple can be completed by most children in about 30 minutes. Its simplicity allows children to become familiar with the gaming interface and concept and at the same time allows the to be successful relatively quickly. The second part is longer and more complex and has a larger number of puzzles in it. This part builds on the concepts found in the preceding part and should be completed in around 60 minutes.

In order to maintain interest and increase longevity, secondary goals have been introduced in the form of a simple treasure hunt. The second part of The Shattered Crystal contains six pieces of treasure carefully hidden in various places. Whilst is it not vital to the outcome of the game that the player find all six of the pieces of treasure, they provide an interesting and motivating temporary diversion from the main game goals.

The graphics and involving story immerse the player in a computer-generated world, upon which many teaching topics can be based. The game can be used to promote cross-curricular themes to include literacy, stories, report writing, maths and science. Presented with realistic motivating problems with defined attainable goals, the puzzles offer children working in pairs or small groups opportunities for a great deal of discussion and are an excellent way in which to develop team working and PSE skills and to encourage cross-curricular thinking.

A teacher option tab within the game allows a whole group to focus at any time on one of the larger puzzles, to discuss the concept and then return to the game.

Those children with specific learning difficulties in Literacy have found that the structure of the program especially useful in developing their ability to sequence events. For those with reading difficulties, all on-screen text is read aloud by semi-professional actors. In addition, carefully chosen sound effects and music all add to the atmosphere of the environment.

Each game allows children to meet ICT curriculum guidelines – “children should be given opportunities to explore a virtual world.”

With a load and save facility allowing an infinite number of opportunities to save their position, children can play for short periods of time whenever this fits in with the class teacher.

The interface was designed to be as simple and intuitive as possible. It’s composed of three main areas.

The control panel
This contains a list of the items you’re carrying around with you, shows you how many crystal and treasure pieces you’ve found and gives you access to the game controls.

The message panel
This is where all messages to the player are displayed. All text in this box is read aloud.

The location panel
This is where all of the action takes place. The location in which you’re currently standing is displayed here and allows you to interact with the environment using ‘hotspot’ areas and clickable keywords.

 

Puzzles in The Shattered Crystal

Scattered throughout the game are a number of larger puzzles requiring the player to remain in one location until this has been completed. To cater for a specific teaching topic or to tie in with whole class learning exercises, all the individual puzzles in the game can be accessed independently. This allows the class teacher to work through a particular concept with an individual, small group or entire class of children, furthering the potential benefits the software could have in the classroom.

Example: Colour Mixing Puzzle

This puzzle requires the player to use six flasks of coloured liquid - red, yellow and blue - to fill six pots with different colours.  The players turn handles located below each flask to a number of the pots with a colour e.g the first handle may fill the first, third, fourth and sixth pot with red pain; the second handle may fill the first, second and zixth pot with yellow paint.

Are-defined colour sequence is the goal and the children need to work out which combination of handles they need to turn in order to get that sequence.

 

The Shattered Crystal Gallery