“Cheat-Proof” Poses Obstacle to EDU Game Developer

“Cheat-Proof” Poses Obstacle to EDU Game Developer

November 9, 2009

Cheating is always a problem in school, and one that most educational videogames are not immune to.

In creating its latest title—a game designed to teach the history of biology—Toronto-based Spongelab Interactive was concerned about walkthroughs being posted online by those who had already completed the content. Their solution was to hire programmer Alex Maslov, a Centennial College graduate, to make the game dynamic and randomize content.

Maslov’s task took him four months and resulted in a “cheat-proof” educational title. He also landed a new job—Maslov is now employed by Spongelab’s sister company InViVo Communications.

The unnamed title is due to enter beta testing next spring towards a 2010 mid-year release.

ITBusiness.Ca has a video and short story on the subject up on their website.

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Comments

Re: “Cheat-Proof” Poses Obstacle to EDU Game Developer
Submitted by CyberSkull - November 9, 2009 at 5:35 pm -0500

"Cheat-proof" is a rather disingenuous goal. There is no such thing. Rather, the goal should be "cheat-resistant". 

Re: “Cheat-Proof” Poses Obstacle to EDU Game Developer
Submitted by Godkarmachine - November 9, 2009 at 6:02 pm -0500

Personally I say don't make it "Cheat-proof". It'll be a good lesson for the kids when they use a walkthrough, ace the game, and fail every test they take because they didn't learn anything. The game is apparently supposed to teach the history of biology, so if someone bothers to cheat through it, they must not be all that interested in the history.

- Stand back! I have an opinion, and I'm not afraid to use it.

Re: “Cheat-Proof” Poses Obstacle to EDU Game Developer
Submitted by kagirinai - November 9, 2009 at 7:34 pm -0500

That interview was a bit dubious and my experience with Centennial doesn't give me a lot of confidence in this game. They don't discuss in any kind of detail what kind of randomization is involved, or even how the basic play of the game occurs (which makes speculation on how the randomization works fairly difficult).

It's quite possible that they've got a great, innovative, educational title, but you'd never know it from that article.

Re: “Cheat-Proof” Poses Obstacle to EDU Game Developer
Submitted by ZippyDSMlee - November 9, 2009 at 7:42 pm -0500

...mmmmm randemzied test...so if one lists all the randomized events and dose a compelte walkthrough...then what?

Until lobbying is a hanging offense I choose anarchy! Stop supporting big media and furthering the criminalization of consumers!! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/

Re: “Cheat-Proof” Poses Obstacle to EDU Game Developer
Submitted by strathmeyer - November 9, 2009 at 9:50 pm -0500

Wow, who knew using walkthroughs was cheating???

Re: “Cheat-Proof” Poses Obstacle to EDU Game Developer
Submitted by kagirinai - November 9, 2009 at 10:35 pm -0500

What, you didn't think using material from outside the game was perhaps defeating the intent of the designer?

Re: “Cheat-Proof” Poses Obstacle to EDU Game Developer
Submitted by Kajex - November 9, 2009 at 9:51 pm -0500

Hey man- Captain Kirk cheated. And look at what a bad-ass he was. Cheating can be a good thing. :D

Re: “Cheat-Proof” Poses Obstacle to EDU Game Developer
Submitted by DarkSaber - November 10, 2009 at 6:41 am -0500

Captain Kirk was fictional.

--------------------------------------------------

I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.

Re: “Cheat-Proof” Poses Obstacle to EDU Game Developer
Submitted by deuxhero - November 10, 2009 at 8:26 am -0500

It's called randomization. It's been around for years, and by "years" I mean it's older than Windows (Rogue).

Re: “Cheat-Proof” Poses Obstacle to EDU Game Developer
Submitted by sirdarkat - November 10, 2009 at 1:53 pm -0500

 "cheat-proof" LOL

next someone is going to claim something is hack-proof

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