Achievements + in-game currency + Team Fortress 2 hat economy = Equator for iPad.
“Edutainment” games tend to feel very minimal in terms of game design. Theoretically video games would make a great tool for education, but execution of the process in terms of video game history has been met with lukewarm results. I got no idea whether TigerFace Games new multi-player game Equator will be any good, but I can see how they did their homework by adapting current gaming trends in their game.
For anyone that is a math newbie, Equator should be able to help. Players work on a tiny planet, with cute creatures residing on the North and South end. To keep the planet and seasons turning, both players need to work together in solving math problems presented before them. A varying sets of numbers and mathematical operators show up on each side’s screen, and both players have to work at their equations so both sides have the right answer.
Equator should start out simple enough for children, but then becomes challenging enough for adults. Set across four seasons, the challenge of the game could vary from addition and subtraction, to brackets, division and multiplication. Players will need to work together via communication so they can figure out how to get their equations right.
Still not convinced in getting Equator? Well how about this ace up its sleeve: Hats! Equator will let players accomplish a series of achievements to earn in-game ‘leaves’ currency. Players earn more leaves by creating and solving bigger equations with more complex operators involved. The leaves can be used to purchase new costumes and hats for each player’s avatar. We already know that gamers will shoot each other to bloody bits just so they can get themselves a cool hat in Team Fortress 2. Maybe players will be willing to work at solving equations for a fuzzy Russian Snow Hat, such as what other equation would equal “2(45 * 90) + 365”?
Equator will be coming out August 23, 2012 for the iPad only. Visit TigerFace game’s Web site for more information.
