Inventing is my hobby . I like to create unusual funny games . Reading old patents is my second hobby. When I read old patents I see how the core game mechanic idea has been changed during decades and even a centuries. My current project is a magnetic puzzle game. The oldest patent was published more than 100 years ago!
We see a flat transparent box with magnetic play pieces and one magnetic stick for play piece control.
In korean patent from 2014 we still see the same transparent box, play pieces (with one magnetic insert in each) and one magnetic stick for play piece control.
I have found another branch of evolution where each play element contains two magnetic inserts. This game still contains one magnetic stick but with two magnets.
The most interesting magnetic game was made by HAPE. Here we see two players with two magnetic pens.
Some time ago I found an article about collaborative puzzle game for children with ASD . It is an interesting fact that autists do not like turn-taking games in general. Scientists created a video game with huge touch screen . In this game each virtual puzzle element can be moved only by collaborative efforts of two players. It looks great but it is too expensive !
When you know the history of the game it is easier to make the next step. So did I.
I have replaced competition with collaboration!
Here is a photo of my first prototype made from picture frame, cardboard, ball pens, balls from bearings, and niodime magnets. Two players have no way but to discuss and agree what play piece to move and then they have to pull and turn it in a really collaborative way to the determined position. The more color matches the get - the better.
As a result we get an unusual magnetic puzzle game with the following benefits :
- one player can play with two hands and two magnetic sticks improving his fine motor skills;
- two players can play collaborative game using one magnetic stick each;
- game initially designed for children can be used in business training for "team-building" exercises;
- parents of a child with ASD can use this game as a tool for occupational therapy
- points #1 and 2# may be usefull in the Montessori-style learing process at preschool stage
- may be it will be cool to test your partner with this game before marriage: if he\she is ready for collaboration?
I continue to polish my project step by step. With new sticks the game looks much better.
P.S.
In April, 2023 I got an utility patent number from the Belarussian State Patent Office. It will be published in June 2023. So I have some protection of my intellectual property.
August 26.
And this is how I feel my puzzle game should look like for customer .
And "2 Players"mode :
It is clear to me that such a game is a "niche product" , but who knows, may be I will find a manufacture for it .
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