The thinking behind this is so that it will not get left behind. This means that Cascade is now built out of the Amazing Frog? systems and is part of the project. We were struggling to find some balance so that we could continue development on Cascade, and then one day it hit me. While VR certainly creates bigger queues and certainly more spectators both terminals VR and non VR were always active throughout both events.Ī quick note about Cascade and Amazing Frog? If you know Fayju then you know that we are all about Amazing Frog? Over the past few years its safe to say that Amazing Frog? has taken over mine and Hal’s lives. We always make sure there is a non VR version available. One of the main attractions to Cascade when demoing is often the Oculus Headset. The thing is about VR actually most people are moved by it once they have braved putting on the head set. Especially to concerned parents and teachers wondering why a computer game is at an education event.Īlso in such an atmosphere I find I get quizzed more than usual and about game development which is always encouraging to see. At the events when Jody is on hand a fairly serious explanation of the project can be offered. Kids are ready to take in information when they arrive and excited to try something fun. Perhaps in its current state Cascade works best in these kinds of settings. In essence, The Big Bang fair and Bath Taps in2 Science were very similar events. To this point it has by no means been and easy process and we still have a long way to go.īath Taps in2 Science and The Big Bang Fair 2015 The longterm aim is for a players understanding of the pathology to grow through actually tackling the problem in gameplay. And over time we will integrate more aspects of the disease. The Cascade game environment currently focuses on just one aspect of the pathology of Alzheimer’s Disease, The Amyloid Cascade Hypothesis. And this, growing, “molecular world” is and every bit as rife with conflict as our own human scale world. The great thing for games about this kind of molecular science is that it exposes an exciting realm of systems, processes and worlds perfect for inspiring games environments. It confuses me why so many game mechanics and ideas would be restricted to by becoming more conventional “War Simulations”. Through Cascade, I also hoped to shine a spotlight on biochemistry. One of our main objectives was always to raise awareness Alzheimer’s Disease and the despirate need for further research.Īs an artist, any biochemistry that Jody would describe to me would appear ripe with creative potential.
We started developing Cascade because I was so inspired by the work that Jody does. It works as a multiplayer experience all fighters co operating to save the same brain cell. In this “simulation” you interact by piloting a space craft around the cell and blasting the enzymes whose unchecked actions are leading the the onslaught of Alzheimer’s Disease. The current version features a single Brain Cell with a more detailed representation of the process The Amyloid Cascade Hypothesis. In March we showed the newest version of Cascade at the Big Bang Fair 2015 to thousands of kids and then took it the following week to the Bath Taps In2 Science events. Its been a while since we said much about Cascade, but we have still been moving the project forward. You fly around planet like brain cells amidst floating protein debris blasting enzymes in an attempt to save the brain, one cell at a time. Cascade is our game about Alzheimer’s Disease.