This document describes a math game called Math Labyrinth that teaches elementary school students multi-digit addition and subtraction. In the game, players control a cat navigating a labyrinth to eat apples from addition or subtraction trees while avoiding a chasing snake. Correct calculations generate energy-boosting apples, while incorrect answers help the snake.
1. This game is further inspired by the MUD (Multi-User Dungeon) game which gained its
popularity in late 1990s, in which players interact with each other and the world by
typing commands that resemble a natural language.
Math Labyrinth Game Objective
Player, in the role of a little cat, will need to go through a labyrinth and at the same time avoid being
-- An adaptive math game for elementary students' learning multi- caught by a snake who chases after the cat.
digit addition and subtraction through mathematical decision
Learning Goals
making and spacial reasoning. Mathematical decision making, multi-digit calculation through understanding of single-digit calculation,
spacial reasoning, speed.
Game Keywords
Adaptiveness, labyrinth, speed, mathematical decision making, spacial reasoning, and literacy (written
quot;commandsquot;).
Game Narrative
-- The cat needs to eat apples to maintain its energy to continue its journey.
-- At certain corners of the labyrinth, there are apple trees showing up.
-- Each apple tree is either an quot;additionquot; apple tree or a quot;subtractionquot; apple tree, with apples containing
different numbers.
-- The cat can choose whatever two numbers to add up or subtract.
-- The bigger number resulted from calculation, the more energy the cat can get, and vice versa.
-- The cat uses written quot;commandsquot; to make certain movements and do related calculations.
-- A right calculation will generate a red apple to add to the energy bar of the cat, then the cat can speed
up to avoid being closely chased after by the snake.
-- A wrong calculation will generate a quot;black' apple which will be eaten by the snake to add to its energy
bar. Then the snake will speed up in chasing the cat.
-- In the labyrinth, the cat can have three times to call for the angel's help, but each call will cost some
energy of the cat.
-- All the apple trees will show up adaptively. The complexity of numbers will change depending on the
player's previous decision making and calculation.
Game Levels
Elementary-level game, aiming at students from kindergarten to the fifth grade.
Assessment
A record of the player's choice of choosing numbers, speed rate, as well as mistakes
Get started! and correctness in calculations will be generated at the end of the game.
Game Interface
Both web and mobile
4. Audio: Pick two
apples from the
4 5 three to add up
7
11
18 12
9 13
?
+
5. Audio:
type the
13 answer
4
11
18 12
9
?
7
5
12
+
6. Audio:
1. You can eat it
2. Or you can continue to
choose a number to add
up to gain more energy
3. but if you fail, you will
get nothing for your
energy
13
18
11
18 12
9
?
4
12
16
+
7. Audio:
1. You can eat it
2. Or you can continue to
choose (drag) a number
to add up to gain more
energy
3. but if you fail, you will
get nothing for your
energy
13
4
11
18 12
9
?
7
5
I want to eat
+
it now.
12
11. 13
4
11
7 5
9
?
18
12
I want to call
for Angel's
+ help.
12. 13
4
11
Audio: see how I
put the numbers
7 12
5
9 into the ones place
and tens place?
18
12
+
Yes
13. 13
4
11
7 12
5
9 Add up 8 and
2; add up 1
and 1
?
18
1 2
+
14. Audio: Add up 8
and 2; add up 1
and 1
13
4
11
7 12
5
9
18
1 2
10;
+ 2
2 10
15. Audio:
Only a single number can stay in
each place. Number in the lower
place has to stay.
So 0 has to stay and 1 has to
leave
Add up 1 and 2
13
4
11
7 12
5
9
18
1 2 1+2=3
+
2 10
17. Audio:
You energy is already full. You
can choose a weapon from the
following to protect yourself and
beat the snake once:
13
4
11
?
7 12
5
9
18
1 2
+
3 0
30
18. Audio:
Congratulation! This is a
speed-star tree. You can
further speed up if you
successfully get a star from
the tree.
7
4
5
11
?
23
7 12
+