Sort (2007)

Downloads

A compiled version of the game is available here. Last updated 7/10/2007
You can download the source to the game through suversion here. Note that you will also need the olpc library in the same directory as sort, which is available through subversion here.

About

Sort was originally created as part of the OLPC Game Jam held at Olin college of Engineering in June of 2007. The basic idea is pretty simple, and has been described as 'a combination of Zoop and Set.' The idea is to sort shapes and colors into piles, and then remove them through combinations of all the same color, all the same shape, all different shapes, or all different colors. Bonus points are awarded for various combinations, with the most points going to a combination of all different shapes and all different colors.

The most interesting thing about Sort is the way that sorting occurs. Basically, the use of gesutres using the mouse or touch pad (or stylus eventually) causes the shapes to be sorted into the different piles. No other input (except for a click every now and then) is required, which makes the game fairly fun just from a interface standpoint.

Technical

Sort was my attempt to work in PyGame, specifially as it was a constraint of the OLPC game jame. In addition, the game had to run on the OLPC, which meant limiting the amount of computing power and limiting the color pallete. OLPCs also have a special "black and white" mode for when the system is taken out into direct sunlight, which meant that all of the pieces had to be discernable through pattern as well as through color.

Credits

Programming / Design - Jeff Ward
Art - Roberto Christen
Special Thanks - Noah Kantrowitz (OLPC / PyGame support)
Special Thanks - Kent Quirk (Python / PyGame support)