Can a simple game about stacking blocks and managing resources change the way in which we approach architecture, design and urban planning?
At the time of writing Block’hood is on the precipice of entering Early Access. Having been developed in an academic environment, it provides an interesting glimpse into the future use of games as a means of design and innovation. Developed by Jose Sanchez, Assistant Professor at the USC School of Architecture, Block’hood is a study in generative design as part of his larger brainchild, Plethora Project.
Block’hood is a building simulator. The goal of the game is to build a skyscraper out of different types of tiles. The challenge arises from the inputs and outputs of each block. A simple and distilled example of this system is building a small flat. The small flat requires oxygen, water and electricity; a well provides water, which in turn allows a tree to be grown for oxygen, and a few solar panels generate the electricity. A crucial part of the design is that Block’hood is in real-time; you cannot pause and ponder your options. With each tick of game time resources are generated and consumed by your tiles. Maintaining a balance is not only difficult, but critical to the survival of your edifice. If a tile is not receiving its required inputs the decay process begins and you only have a limited amount of time to fix the problem, otherwise it will crumble to nothing leaving your building vulnerable to further resource droughts. Furthermore, if you want to repair something deep in the structure, everything above it needs to come down.
When dealing with a single flat and some trees, the decisions are simple. However, when you start dealing with large, increasingly complex tiles and designs, finding the perfect balance is a constant struggle.
Visually, Block’hood is striking. Pastel colours and carefully crafted block design make your structures an attractive sight, even if they are about to fall to pieces. Although I found menus too bright, squinting to read the text windows was not the most pleasant experience. The music is sparse, but when the tracks do begin their melodies are whimsical and perfectly suited to the aesthetic.
Block’hood is in the interesting position of being an academically devised game. Culturally we are getting more comfortable with the gamification of education, but actually using “play” as a means to create and design structures is a developing concept. Thinking of games like SimCity and Cities: Skylines, there is an incredible amount of data available around urban planning and design. By harnessing the power of the player, who knows what innovations may be discovered.
However, disregarding the interesting academic perspective of Block’hood, does it have a solid enough foundation as a game to be enjoyed? Even in this early stage of development I can confirm that it does. A nuanced and complex resource system make building your skyscraper a puzzling challenge and keeping it standing an ingenious feat.
