Background
Prototype ONE
After much discussion and experimenting and given the limited time frame for realisation of the project the team decided that the first version of Guardian Angel had to be a more simplified version of the initial concept.
The virtual figure does not appear in the first version, nor do the birds. Instead the team concentrated on creating a Flash animated movie linked to Phidgets.
It was also decided that instead of a virtual figure the game player was to become the tightrope walker. To this end the player carries the balancing pole and is to stand facing a large Flash animated movie projected onto the wall.
The balancing pole becomes the tangible interface. It works by a rotation sensor Phidget at its centre that responds to the "balancing" motion of the player as he/she moves in front the image on the wall. This animation is created by a piece of software especially designed for this project that combines Flash with Phidgets.
The rope is created using a 3D software, (3ds Max) and overlaid onto the photograph. The player stands in front of the projected image, which zooms in creating the impression of moving forward. The photograph and the rope image move as the player adjusts the balancing rod and attempts to find his/her centre of gravity to be able to stay on the rope.
The player can also press a switch attached to the pole to reset the game.