Project Introduction
Initially created for the TMU community, the CAT 6 is a Community Arcade Table allowing the playing and playtesting of student-made video games. Through utilizing a custom interface users will interact with the table, select from an open library of in-development games, and play together using arcade-like controls - allowing game developers to collect the user data that is hard to get as a student; while gathering the community in support of interactive experiences The Creative School strives to make.
Through this project we have aimed to challenge three things. The difficulty that comes with getting userfeed back for in development projects as a student developing their brand and network. The lack of physical spaces for people to gather, socialize, and game - especially ones that foster a positive community centering around creativity and skill growth. And finally the stigmatization of Video Game experiences itself - as not only is it a multimillion dollar industry that many of our students hope to go into, but Video Games allow for a more memorable teaching as they are entirely dependent on the interactions of the users to create a personalized learning experience from learning through play (For more on Video Games in education please see Dr. Kris Alexander’s Tedtalk here).
The project thus far consists of two physical units in associatin with the Transmedia Zone and Dr. Kristopher Alexander, as well a partnered unit with the Digital Media Experience Lab at Toronto Metripolitan University.
CAT6 4 Player Table Unit
Portable KIT5
