Oldie But a Goodie. Toddler Mode!!

CaptFinn

While fumbling through "recenet discussions". I came across an old conversation about a idea I had. This idea got alot +1s.

So I thought I would pass it along again as a reminder to older GS developers and to plant it into the newer Gamesalad developers.

Toddler Mode!!

The biggest issue I see with lil kids playing games on mobile devices is that when they lose or die. They have to run to mommy or daddy to reset the game. So I thought of "Toddler Mode" Its a simple option a parent can choose when they know their kid is going to play. Activate Toddler mode and the parent wont be bothered every 2-3 minutes when the baby wants to restart the game.

Basically it would be like the "Gode Mode" The hero actor would still show that they got hurt or hit. Just no penalty that would end the game.

You could incorporate this type of mode in a way that best fits your style of game.

I can picture one parent telling another parent about this game. And then say " The best part about this game is, that i can set it to toddler mode and lil tommy isnt bugging me every 3 minutes to restart the game for him. " Thats a selling point all on it on.

SO Im just throwing that idea out there again. It might be good for your game.

Here is the link to the old discussion. It was eventually closed.
http://forums.gamesalad.com/discussion/20524/toddler-mode-an-idea-to-pass-on-to-everyone#latest

tatiang

In that thread you wrote:

Luckily.. hitting the reset button and starting it all over again doesnt bother him. But Im sure it would other kids.

This is what I find over and over again: that kids figure out how to play the games and navigate the menus without too much trouble. Sure, there's a learning curve but it's short.

I do think you're right that developers need to consider their audience; and by that, I mean their FULL audience ("I'm targeting 10-13 year olds but I'm sure 4 year olds are going to play this, too."). And that they need to design with that in mind. Whether that means simplifying or pacifying the game or just changing the user interface to simplify it (or as you suggested, having separate modes for separate ages) is up to the developer, of course.

CaptFinn

I find games that are made for a older audience, sometimes grab the attention of the lil brother or sister or toddler who arent old enough to fathom the complexity no matter how simple the game may be. So big brother takes 5 secs to go back to the menu and select "Toddler Mode" Then he knows that the toddler will be happy until he just gets bored. This way Mario never dies. If Mario falls in a hole he spawn back. The plane never crashes. The space ship doesnt destroy when it hits the asteroid. And the toddler just keeps firing away. Etc Etc. Thats how I see a use for toddler mode. So I would say use the above example when thinking of a toddler mode for your game.

Ive had so many parent tell me thats the one thing they dont like about thier kids playing games. They dont like the kids running back ever 30 secs to restart or hit the reset button. Or try to teach the kid to hit this button then that button then hit the reset button etc etc.

tatiang

I definitely see your point. As a parent and teacher, I just prefer that the interface be simplified rather than the gameplay, in order to leave the challenge intact. That is if it has to be one or the other.

CaptFinn

I agree. For toddlers though they dont care about how its played. they just dont want the movement and animation to stop. And love finding out that this button makes the guy jump and thats cool and funny. To bad it only lasted 30 secs.

jonmulcahy

very true, my daughter get's a huge kick out of small animations, sounds and things that sparkle. We have a few of Disney's appisodes and she replays the same scene over and over again.