1. Principles and Practices

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The Triangle Game is a simple passing game around three bottles in a triangular position. The aim is to pass the ball between gaps, with only two touches of the ball. A player cannot go through the same gap twice in a row. If either player knocks over bottle while playing, the opponent gains a point.

My Concept

In some respects, the Triangle Game is a simple passing game. But the technically, there would be some challenges creating a connected device to keep score between two opponents. I thought about the actions involved (ball movement, bottle falling, point scoring) and how they would lend themselves to a final prototype.

There is an opportunity to use sensors (ball, bottle) and the chance to create an interesting aesthetic through molding and casting. I would like to create something easy to use and hard-wearing for different age groups and weather conditions.

The final prototype requires an output. I am considering use of a light to indicate faults: red for going through the gate twice, green for knocking over a bottle.

In the video, the scoreline is kept track of in the players heads. What if the prototype was connected to a mobile app that kept track of the score? This would allow the players to rank their progress over time. Parents could also keep track of the game.

Come in for dinner when it's first to 3!

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The Form

I have an idea to introduce a form to replace the bottle. I'm suggesting this because picking up the fallen bottles breaks the flow of the game. While empty plastic bottles are readily available (for better or worse) having a dedicated parts for the game means it will be used more regularly. If it has embedded technology and looks smart, even better.

I've thought about the form of a pen I collected many years ago. It's from the 1990s, and has a slightly retro quality to it. The form is similar to that of a roy-poly toy or buoy that rights itself when pushed over.

The pen is made of two hollow plastic parts with a weight in the base. The top can be unscrewed form the bottom to replace the ink cartridge. This system would allow easy addition of the sensors and positioning of a weight, eg. sand.

The width and height of the object is also significant – The buoy should be appropriate to the impact of a football and varied height of the user. At the moment, I think it would be knee height (or less) on an adult.

I have worked up a sketch of where the light within the buoy may be located: Slightly below the handle, above or below the screw joint. My current preference is for the light to wrap the entire circumference of the buoy, there by being visible to both players and spectators. It's visibility lends itself to another ideas - Playing at night. The buoy could be made of glow-in-the-dark plastic or the light could remain permanently on, only flashing when a score is completed.

I would also like add handles to the buoys, making them easy to transport. There may be an opportunity to tie the buoys together – Allowing a third person to move the triangle game around, thereby increasing the challenge for the two players.

The Audience

This prototype could primarily be used for children and young adults training their football skills. The simple interaction and ability to use it on concrete surfaces, would make it accessible to young people in urban areas where green spaces are limited. Equally, the prototype could be used by sports professionals to sharpen their skill and speed with a variation from training. Football, rugby, even martial arts could be practiced using the prototype, as players try to position themselves in movement around the three objects.

I continue my final project work in week 6.

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