CollecTic (NL)

Discover resources in this PSP-enabled mobile puzzle game

CollecTic makes the Playstation Portable a truly mobile experience as players move around use the popular PSP to collect resources for solving puzzles from local wi-fi locations.

Time: Ongoing event on a first come, first serve basis
Location: PSPs can be borrowed at the HQ
#of players: 1 at a time, first come, first serve
Duration: 15 minutes, multiple games will be played continuously

The game CollecTic was developed for the Sony Playstation Portable (PSP) and uses existing wireless local area network (WLAN) access points as a main game element. The game can be played anywhere, where WLAN access points can be found.

In the game, the player has to move through the city to search for access points. The access points are visualized on the PSP as basic geometrical figures (triangle, circle, square) with a specific color and sound. Discovered access points can be collected and combined in a puzzle in order to earn points.

In CollecTic, the player uses his PSP as a sensor device to discover the hidden infrastructure of wireless network coverage via auditive and visual feedback. By the game the player is stimulate to physically move around and explore his surroundings in a new and playful way.

Designers: Jonas Hielscher

Jonas Hielscher works as a researcher and teacher at the Academy of Media Arts Cologne in the field of 3D Animation and Games.

After obtaining his Bachelor of Art and Technology in Design for Virtual Theatre and Games at the School of the Arts Utrecht in 2003 he went on with a Master of Science (Msc) in Media Technology at the Leiden University, where he graduated in 2006.

He is cofounder of 'Stichting z25.org' (Netherlands), a foundation that initiates and supports projects, in which digital media and especially game technology is combined with traditional narrative art forms, like theatre.

In his research and during his work at 'Stichting z25.org' he develops experimental games and media installations, that often explore the boundaries between the real and the virtual world.

His works were shown at festivals, conferences and museums, like the Holland Animation Film Festival (2002, 2006), the 'Level Up' Game Conference (2003), Festival aan de Werf (2005, 2006), Cinekid Festival (2005, 2006), Profile Intermedia Conference (2005), the Museum of Modern Art in Rovereto (2006) and at V2_ Institute for the Unstable Media, Rotterdam (2007).

Furthermore Jonas gives workshops in 3D stage design, Machinima and 'Physical Computing'.