Multiplayer Etch a Sketch
- Give a distributed nature in drawing
- Opportunity for multiplayer drawing
- Close to traditional nature of the game but even more enhanced
- Provide both tangibility and fun
PACT Analysis
People: The groups that could be involved in this case actually it could be anyone. There could be kids, teens, adults of every background. However, it could be said that it could be mainly used by kids as Etch a Sketch comprises a very simple drawing tool.
Of course, again there should be considered all the people that have special needs or disabilities. Especially the colours in this case should be made explicitly clear for people that have colour blindness. The manipulation of the prototypes components should be as simple as possible for those also that have kinetic problems.
Activities: The main activityof this prototype would be to draw lines – to draw something in general. The other activity that would have is to erase a whole drawing or a line. These activities again have an iterative nature as it is a continuous process. The data that would be input to the system would be the line drawing, the stop of a drawing, the erase of a line/drawing, the colours choice.
The way that this data would enter to the prototype would not be something the users have to enter by writing something. Instead, the pins, which would represent different kinds of lines and different colours as well as erasing procedures have to just be placed/replaced on the Fabric as well as be removed when necessary.
The activities performed may or may not need cooperation as they may involve more than one player (although in more cases the players/users would be only one). So, the input of the data is performed somehow automatically with the choice of the Pins that players/users decide to place on the Fabric.
Contexts: These activities again could be occurred wherever and whenever. Indoors or outdoors. The prototype should be capable of being moved in several places and should be very resistant to difficult circumstances as it is a complete entertainment prototype, primarily possibly used by children and probably when it would be used may be used in parallel with another activity. So, the whole process of drawing should be quite simple and straightforward so as to be really entertaining and not difficult to be learned. Usually, children may get bored if they find something difficult and if they do something else in parallel then they do not bother to continue using the “difficult” game.
Technologies: The data that is entered is not that complex from the users’ point of view as it does not need the users to type something. They just have to place the Pins in specific areas/points on the Fabric and use the appropriate pins to draw in the way that they like. However, the way that pins have to be placed needs to be quite clear. The drawing process is quite open and free so there should be not that many restrictions. Of course, there should be a display showing in real time the drawing of the users.