World Series of Innovation, sponsored by Microsoft MOBILE GAME DESIGN School Name Teacher Name Classroom Name City, State/Province Springbrook High School Mr. Pat Yongpradit Innovators Silver Spring, Maryland - USA Business/Product Name: Flashback 1) Describe the Opportunity In school students are taught history, but they don t necessarily remember what they re taught. There are other educational games that teach students information, but they aren t very successful. Many people become bored after playing each game once or twice. There is no change and no progression in those games. Also, games that make the user answer boring questions do not create a very interactive learning environment. So whenever students hear the words educational game, you will receive a distorted reaction and face as if they were saying Are you crazy? Therefore, students don t retain the information thrown at them while playing other educational games, or they just don t play at all. 2) Explain the Product Flashback is a mobile game where the player will be sent back to the past to live in a completely different era. The goal is to survive in the ancient time period using what he or she already knows about history to make sure history happens the way it should be so that the character can return to the present. World Series of Innovation 2011 page 1
The player will be actively involved in the game by completing different challenges such as helping generals decide on battle strategies (ex. Battle of Gettysburg), solving problems created by the economy (ex. Stock Market Crash), and even settling disputes by putting in the final vote. After the player completes a challenge/decision, he or she will be able to have a role in the decision. For example, if the player decides to advocate for black civil rights, he or she will be able to lead the people through the streets of Birmingham, creating an uproar for the government to take notice of them. The player will be able to meet historical figures and push them along their rightful path of success by helping them make decisions, and he or she must recreate history exactly the way it should be to form the world we live in today. If not, the player will return to the present day and see how much the world has changed because of a few decisions. Flashback provides 10 various countries to choose from, each containing their own unique set of historical issues that needs to be solved. Flashback will be downloadable to mobile devices for $0.49 for each country simulation or $3.99 as a whole package containing all 10 countries. However, a 3 day free trial will be available to the user. The game will have advertisements from educational groups and businesses such as the Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament. 3) Defend the Innovation This product is innovative because it will be a fresh new idea promoting history by helping students learn through game experience. Many students have trouble in history because they don t understand what it has to do with their life. People think that history is just a bunch of people doing boring things that don t affect us. This product will show students and adults that history is very important because we must learn from our mistakes. The product s goal is to make history fun. If all school subjects are made into a fun, mobile game, then more people World Series of Innovation 2011 page 2
will learn school subjects because they will be learning from the game. When your character goes back into the past, they not only get a chance to do what they think is the right and smart thing, they will also be able to learn what happened and how effective this decision was. This product gives people the opportunity to have fun learning through a realistic simulation on a historic topic that no other company has created before. 4) Present the Marketing Pitch (including customer profile) Have any trouble remembering facts and dates? Want to know more about different places by just your Smartphone? Then, Flashback is the optimal game for you! Broaden your span of knowledge by virtually traveling to different countries, learning their customs and traditions. Interact by playing critical roles in important events such as the Civil War and the Great Depression. Realize how the choices made in the past affect our present day standards. This large and expansive game will challenge your senses by putting you in difficult and unique situations, requiring you to work with the time period s technological limits and mindsets. You ll be pushed to deeply think about the consequences of the choices that you make. By playing this game, you will gain appreciation for other cultures and even fully realize the hidden aspects of your own. Flashback is the perfect game for instant travelling without the limits of time and money! 5) Who is our customer? Location: Flashback is available to U.S. citizens. Downloading the game requires an internet connection, and certain aspects of the game will only be available online, though the majority of the game can be played offline. Population: Currently, 49% of the U.S. population owns a Smartphone. There are around 311.8 million people in the country, so there are approximately 152.8 million potential buyers. World Series of Innovation 2011 page 3
Personality: The game targets all teens and adults, though teens are slightly more likely to buy it because of its benefits. It s best suited to those who enjoy critical thinking or logical puzzles. Behavior: Flashback is best suited to those who enjoy all sorts of technology, such as computers or phones. The people will favor strategy-based mobile games. Income: Almost anybody will be able to afford the game, which is set at a drop-dead dead price of $0.49 for each country and $3.99 as a packaged price. However, besides this game, the users also need to be capable of paying their basic Smartphone fees based on their purchase plan. SCREEN SHOTS: World Series of Innovation 2011 page 4
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