MULTIMEDIA

FLASH GAMES

Dr. Irene Berman-Levine is a Clinical Assistant Professor in Nutrition at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Her "virtual" counterpart can be found in Dr. Irene's Kitchen.

Introduction to the Sodium Test

GAME OUTLINE:

Players must choose the food item with the lowest sodium content to advance through three rounds of food combinations. Virtual Dr. Irene explains the game and offers nutritional information and advice as the rounds become more difficult.

Instructions and choices

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY:

The best games are the easiest to play. To make this game as intuitive as possible:

1. The focus point of activity is in the center of the screen
2. Placement of Dr. Irene and the "continue" button remain static
3. Key words are highlighted in red
4. Game instructions and walk through precede round one and reenforced throughout the game.
5. When an incorrect choice is made in any round, the player receives a "try again" prompt and the food item chosen cannot be selected again. By process of elimination the game moves forward.

EDUCATIONAL VALUE

Players seek out the lowest sodium food from each round to reenforce good eating habits. Additional food information is presented in the form of a mouseover to keep the focal point uncluttered. The food item examined also zooms to a larger size to make it stand out from the other foods.

After each round, a follow-up screen outlines sodium levels and compares the foods examined. After the final round, all foods are compared.

GAME ENVIRONMENT:

Dr. Irene's Kitchen is just about as functional as your own! Moving your mouse around the screen reveals that you can open cupboards, bread boxes, pop the toaster -- all sorts of things! Title banner salt shaker, arrows, and a variety of other game elements are lightly animated (some with sounds) to enhance game feel.

Game size is 326 k.  |