Steve Lucin | Parsons MFA CDT

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Abstract
A mini computer/device that will come with G.I.Joe action figures that will provide a debriefing of the day’s mission. The device will be able to detect the action figure’s moves and decide whether or not they have completed the mission. The computer will also be able to connect with other similar devices in the area via wifi, as well as download more missions, and upload stats.

Overview
Playing with action figures has always exercised one’s imagination. You would build a fort made out of bed sheets chairs and pillows and make up a story line for your figurine.
With this aided computer device that the G.I.Joe will come with, imagination and skill are taken to another level. In current video games (i.e. Call of Duty, Spider-Man, Grand Theft Auto, etc.) there is always a debriefing of some sort, a mission if you will. This device brings the “debriefing” concept from video games to the actual action figure.

The player would flip open the laptop-like computer and plug in the action figure to it’s appropriate stand on the computer. The screen would turn on with the day’s mission from the sergeant. Let’s say the player must shoot down 10 villains, fight with 10 more, and knock down a tower to disrupt communications from the evil do-ers. The player must use their imagination to complete the “level” using their actual play surroundings. The action figure is designed with motion sensors that the computer can read. In order for the computer to read the 10 villains being shot, the gun that comes with the G.I.Joe must be shot 10 times, and actually hit 10 objects. The way it would detect the fighting is if it completes the appropriate combinations of kicking and punching 10 different times. This is where some skill comes to play, similar to video games that involve 2 player combat (Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter, etc.). In the fighting video games, the player must follow through with certain combinations of the directional pad and action buttons in order to successfully execute one move. For the G.I.Joe’s, certain combination must be successfully executed as well in order to proceed.As more and more missions get completed, the more actions and combinations will be demanded, as well as the imagination.

If there is another device in the area, the “sergeant” will be able to detect it and ask if they would like to do a cooperative mission together. Once missions have been completed, statistics can be uploaded to a computer with an internet connection via wifi or usb connectivity. Depending on how many levels the player has accomplished, the more videos of the cartoons can be streamed to the device to watch, as well as more missions for the player.

Scenario
Computer Device Mockup

Computer Device connected with another device.


Resources
Toy Laptop: The computer device will function similar to this.
http://gadgetfind.com/compukidzbilingualtoylaptopcomputer.html

G.I.Joe Website: G.I.Joe’s Official Website, where the missions and videos will be hosted
http://www.hasbro.com/gijoe/

Hot Wheels Laptop
http://products.howstuffworks.com/oregon-scientific-hot-wheels-accelerator-laptop-jw88-review.htm