<p>TOWERING BEASTS<br /><br /></p>.<p>There has been an explosion in the number of video games that are altered and unlocked by toys. This ‘toys-to-life’ concept is simple: place small figurines on a platform connected to a games console, and those characters magically appear in-game.<br /><br />In general, the toys are used only as keys to unlock content. Not so with Fabulous Beasts from Sensible Object, which sees players build a tower from blocks that represent animals, elements and forces, striving not to let it tumble.<br /><br />Each piece in the tower impacts a streamlined, stylised strategy game played on tablet simultaneously, where maintaining the beasts carves a route to victory.<br /><br />It’s a fascinating experience, as the forces acting on the real-world animal heap and the strategy of the video game become utterly entwined.<br /><br />AWARD WINNERS<br /><br />Three UK games with indie-built hardware won at the IndieCade. Fabulous Beasts secured the Technology award, Robin Baumgarten’s Line Wobbler took Game Design, and Alistair Aitcheson’s Codex Bash was the Media Choice.<br /><br />ROBOT REALMS<br /><br />Bristol startup Reach Robotics is working to realise personal real-world battling robots that work in unison with a digital game. The Mecha Monsters will employ smartphones as their controllers.<br /><br />WATCH THIS SPACE<br /><br />Blocks modular is a customisable smartwatch from Blocks Wearables, while Roli and Technology Will Save Us are developing a digital touch-sensitive music keyboard.</p>
<p>TOWERING BEASTS<br /><br /></p>.<p>There has been an explosion in the number of video games that are altered and unlocked by toys. This ‘toys-to-life’ concept is simple: place small figurines on a platform connected to a games console, and those characters magically appear in-game.<br /><br />In general, the toys are used only as keys to unlock content. Not so with Fabulous Beasts from Sensible Object, which sees players build a tower from blocks that represent animals, elements and forces, striving not to let it tumble.<br /><br />Each piece in the tower impacts a streamlined, stylised strategy game played on tablet simultaneously, where maintaining the beasts carves a route to victory.<br /><br />It’s a fascinating experience, as the forces acting on the real-world animal heap and the strategy of the video game become utterly entwined.<br /><br />AWARD WINNERS<br /><br />Three UK games with indie-built hardware won at the IndieCade. Fabulous Beasts secured the Technology award, Robin Baumgarten’s Line Wobbler took Game Design, and Alistair Aitcheson’s Codex Bash was the Media Choice.<br /><br />ROBOT REALMS<br /><br />Bristol startup Reach Robotics is working to realise personal real-world battling robots that work in unison with a digital game. The Mecha Monsters will employ smartphones as their controllers.<br /><br />WATCH THIS SPACE<br /><br />Blocks modular is a customisable smartwatch from Blocks Wearables, while Roli and Technology Will Save Us are developing a digital touch-sensitive music keyboard.</p>
