About this project
Block Party: a 21st Century Brain Game
$22,882
476
Hello! You've found the old Kickstarter page for Block Party. If you would like a copy of the game, or to learn more about it, head on over to
http://w.3pxh.com/preorder
And now back to our regularly scheduled programming (which will be outdated and preserved and until the end of the internet).
Hi, we're Benjamin and George, a pair of Stanford graduates in architecture and mathematics. We strive to find simple structures that give rise to complex behaviors and we love making big ideas accessible to anyone who is curious. Thanks for checking out our Kickstarter, and get in touch if you have any questions or comments!
Block Party is a pattern matching game which embodies the fundamentals of computer science search algorithms without using any words! It's fun for children, their parents, and anyone looking to use their mind. It is also designed to be approachable so that even those who might otherwise be intimidated by math or computer science find it fun and can experience the benefits of practicing logical thinking through play, without even knowing it!
While players look for collections of icons called "parties" they develop heuristics, learn to recognize logical constraints, and identify limiting reagents. Combined with tactile play and eliciting information processing akin to the Flanker task, Block Party will stimulate anyone's brain.
Party Duel is a very competitive variation of Block Party where Party tiles are limited objects that players must race for!
Block Party is an entire collection of games in just 8 pieces. We think that's pretty amazing! Check out some of the games below or look at the interactive tutorial.
Variations have been tested with people ages 5-85, and we've concluded from the positive reactions across the board that Block Party has something to offer anyone who picks it up. We enjoy being able to keep things friendly or make them competitive, partying solo to break up the workday, and setting challenges to match the amount of time we want to spend. Block Party can be whatever you make it, and we have quite a few suggestions :-)
We've been working on Block Party for 8 months now. What started out as a hand-illustrated, experimental set of eight wooden cubes has become a refined game platform with more play styles than pieces. We're really proud of that.
But it's time for more than prototypes--we want to share Block Party with you and the world. For that we've turned to Kickstarter so that players can get Block Party at a reasonable price and the quality they deserve.
We've been in touch with manufacturers for several months now, so we understand what it will take to produce Block Party at scale. The samples we've received (see below) are beautiful objects and delightful to hold.
Please note: We have not conducted any formal scientific studies with Block Party (they're expensive and time consuming!). Studies presented use materials which we think bear a likeness to Block Party in some way, whether use of short term memory, spatial reasoning, or its tactile nature.
Research Publications
- Spatial Training Improves Children's Mathematics Ability http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15248372.2012.725186#.U1MGyq1dV95
- Improving fluid intelligence with training on working memory http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2008/04/25/0801268105.abstract
- Working Memory Training in College Students With ADHD or LD http://jad.sagepub.com/content/early/2014/01/13/1087054713516490.abstract
- Developing Mathematical Reasoning Using Attribute Games http://www.setgame.com/content/developing_mathematical_reasoning_using_attribute_games
These and Other Studies In the News
- www.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/magazine/can-you-make-yourself-smarter.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
- http://www.udel.edu/udaily/2014/sep/playing-with-blocks-092613.html
- http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2013/spatial-training-boosts-math-skills/
Funds raised here will be used toward producing sets of Block Party and shipping backer rewards. Funds are split like so:
- 10% for Kickstarter/Amazon fees
- 70% for Block Party manufacturing + freight shipping
- 20% for Amazon multi-channel fulfillment
We will order sets proportional to funds raised, and provided we exceed the goal additional margins will be spent developing the stretch goals listed above. The production and shipping of the blocks will take less than 3 months (50 days for production, up to 40 days for shipping) as a generous estimate. For this reason the delivery date is November as we've budgeted over 4 months to be cautious.
We will be using Amazon's multi-channel fulfillment to ship orders so that they all arrive in a timely manner. Before shipping we will send out a survey to backers so that you can make sure your reward is shipped to the correct address, even if it changes before we ship. In the rare event that your package arrives damaged we will be happy to send you a replacement. Fortunately since the components are robust we expect very few defects in shipping.
We're Benjamin and George, and we love simple, deep architectures. Since fostering a healthy and creative collaboration in school and outside, we decided to found Three Pixel Heart to make simple, expansive fun. Block Party was our first game, and while we've spent time on digital development (Unique, Party Rush) and social games, we keep coming back to Block Party for its endless enjoyment.
For more music by Sarah Thomas, have a listen on her Soundcloud.
Risks and challenges
As with any physical product there's always a chance for delays in the production of Block Party. Notably all of the manufacturing processes involved have been solved for some time and we are working with industry professionals with many years of experience manufacturing wooden toys. We have already received samples and are quite pleased with the quality.
Should any delays occur we will be working diligently to correct them and will share the news immediately as they are discovered as we believe in maintaining maximal transparency with our backers.
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Funding period
- (40 days)