Timmexy's game "Simple Chinese Cuisine" was an enticing and interesting game that taught the player how to make the dish "Scramble eggs and tomatoes". This game was made using the engine Bitsy. Additionally, there was a light-hearted guitar track that played as the dish was made. The game is the steps it takes to make the dish, from gathering the ingredients, to cooking them, to seasoning them. The different steps and the music helped to create the atmosphere of making food. I know that when I cook, I listen to acoustic or instrumental music quite frequently.
The different steps immersed me into the game even more. I especially appreciated the recipe box at the bottom right of the screen. This created a cooking experience because when I cook, I frequently pause and take a look at the recipe to remind myself of what is going on. The color pallet also immersed me because there was a change in the colors as the dish progressed. The colors got brighter and it made me as a player feel happier. I felt like what I was doing had consequences on the game and making a change for the better.
I was also impressed with the mechanics of the game, particularly the transitions. Every time that I successfully completed all the steps, the game moved onto the next step seamlessly. I didn't have to physically take my player to the next room. The game transitioned without player input. The game was also designed quite well. The space was constructed like a kitchen with the wok and oven fans in the middle and the ingredients strewn around in various locations. This helped me to feel like I was physically in a kitchen.
Another aspect of Timmexy's game that I appreciated was the moments of failure. Rarely do you get a dish right the first time without consulting a recipe. I didn't realize there was a recipe in the game and so tried to "speed run" the game. I put in the wrong ingredients twice and had to start all over until I looked at the recipe and understood the order and matter of what the dish required. This worked well to help me "learn the dish" as well as to do it correctly. It was like real life in those moments of failure.
Overall, I think this game is a great start for a larger game focused on cooking. In our class, we have talked about how educational games are like chocolate-covered broccoli. I think that Timmexy's game toes this line well by having a game that has real life ramifications (knowing how to cook) but does it in a fun and exciting way. The music adds to a good mood when playing the game. The game is designed with fun descriptions and visuals so that it doesn't feel like I'm learning but I am learning how to cook. It's a nice light hearted way of learning a craft. I am excited to make this dish in my own kitchen now that I've learned how to cook it!