Data Games: Bar Chart Ball

Bar Chart Ball is a data game in which players have to get a ball from Point A to Point B, by rolling it along the top of a bar chart, representing demographic data of a number of different cities. Players have to select which type of data they want visualised, to change the shape of the chart, to move the ball.

There is a demo here: http://julian.togelius.com/barchartball/BarChartBall.html

Note: this demo occassionally froze my browser, so try at your own risk!

Excercise:

In groups, discuss whether you think this is a good or a bad way of visualising data.

Does it show useful information, or is it just a fun (or boring) game? Why?

Does it help you remember the data more clearly?

What data do you think would make this game more interesting? Why?