feathers
March 13th, 2004, 08:41 AM
Man, it's been pretty quiet here... so here's something fun to break the ice.
I've thought for a while on the topic of arcade or computer games that air traffic controllers might be apt to play. Or that they're good at, because it takes the same kind of skills as ATC. The one that immediately jumps to mind is Tetris... you have to think on your feet, there's the ever-decending blocks putting pressure on (no pausing just like no parking aircraft in the air). The really good players are thinking about the next block before the current one is in place, and if you screw it up... too bad! You have to find some way to work around it without blowing the whole thing.
Kinda makes sense, doesn't it?
I've been told that the brain is like a muscle and that mental activity and stimulation can actually improve your thought process. So here's a brain-stretcher for you. Over at Pop-Cap Games (http://www.popcap.com/) they finally translated their action-puzzle game Zuma into a web-based freebie. And it's an excellent example of a think-on-your-feet, constant-pressure puzzle game. If you have time for a little diversion, it may be worth your while to check it out. I'm certainly hooked on it!
James
I've thought for a while on the topic of arcade or computer games that air traffic controllers might be apt to play. Or that they're good at, because it takes the same kind of skills as ATC. The one that immediately jumps to mind is Tetris... you have to think on your feet, there's the ever-decending blocks putting pressure on (no pausing just like no parking aircraft in the air). The really good players are thinking about the next block before the current one is in place, and if you screw it up... too bad! You have to find some way to work around it without blowing the whole thing.
Kinda makes sense, doesn't it?
I've been told that the brain is like a muscle and that mental activity and stimulation can actually improve your thought process. So here's a brain-stretcher for you. Over at Pop-Cap Games (http://www.popcap.com/) they finally translated their action-puzzle game Zuma into a web-based freebie. And it's an excellent example of a think-on-your-feet, constant-pressure puzzle game. If you have time for a little diversion, it may be worth your while to check it out. I'm certainly hooked on it!
James