The Land of Venn: Geometric Defense Now Available in the App Store!
Since my recent blog post offering an opportunity to beta test The Land of Venn: Geometric Defense before it is released on November 6th, there has been a great amount of interest. I have also had a few people wanting to learn more about the game prior to expressing an interest to try the game in this Beta Test group. UPDATE: BETA TEST GROUP IS NOW CLOSED.
So, here is a quick couple minute video review of The Land of Venn: Geometric Defense.
The Land of Venn Video Review:
Not interested in watching the video? Check out a summary below the video.
A Summary of The Land of Venn: Geometric Defense
Like Angry Birds and other addictive mobile apps, you must create your user account which allows for multiple players per device:
Moving through the game requires that you must complete each level successfully. You can attain points and stars as you work through each level.
Before starting the first level, you are introduced to your first method to eliminate monsters from drinking the magic juice. The Point is explained, modelled, and you get to try it out before starting the level.
In the first level, you must tap (i.e.: make a “point”) on each monster that enters the screen. If you don’t get the monsters, they will head to the centre of the screen to drink the magic juice.
After using only the Point for a couple levels into the game, you are introduced to the Line. By forming a line between two monsters (aka bookenriders) they will be vaporized. Note that as the levels increase, the monsters get more advanced. The more advanced geometric properties are better at handling the more advanced monsters. This means using a Line when possible is more effective than using a Point. Sounds kind of like math in general, eh?
The game advances on and introduces a number of geometric properties including:
- Point
- Line
- Open Shape
- Triangle
- Isosceles Triangle
- Equilateral Triangle
- Right Triangle
- Quadrilateral
- Parallelogram
- Trapezoid
- Rectangle
- Rhombus
- Square
Don’t forget to visit the Wizard’s Wall to use the coins you have accumulated to purchase special powers like Lightening to help eliminate the monsters or the Fishbowl to help replenish the magic juice if you’re under attack.
Overall Impressions
I was pleasantly surprised with this unique gameducation app focused on providing the user a fun storyline, while also providing educational value by introducing so many Geometric concepts. While the audience is slightly younger than the secondary math students I am working with, I will still encourage some of my students to try it to see their overall impression. Is this angry bird-like game enough to captivate them or will the somewhat elementary geometric concepts push them to bail? Time will tell.
In the meantime, I definitely encourage you to try this app out especially if you are teaching or have children in the grade 1-4 age range.
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About Kyle Pearce
I’m Kyle Pearce and I am a former high school math teacher. I’m now the K-12 Mathematics Consultant with the Greater Essex County District School Board, where I uncover creative ways to spark curiosity and fuel sense making in mathematics. Read more.
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