Newswise — EMERYVILLE, CALIF. – << May 27, 2015 >> -- Want to rule a country filled with Monsters?
In Monster Proof, a new browser-based puzzle game from voidALPHA, players assume the role of a newly crowned ruler of a vast country in a fantasy setting. To win, they use problem-solving skills to answer illustrated mathematical questions. As each level is solved, the game crowd sources the software security process of formal verification.
To play Monster Proof, players craft a mathematical ‘proof’ that solves the equation. Players use memory, logic and problem solving skills to solve each puzzle and gather the resources needed to run their fantasy kingdom. Sometimes, partial solutions need to be used in a series of steps to get the final answer. Monster Proof provides the conclusion but players must find the assumption that proves it. Each time they do, they build more road to explore the countryside.
voidALPHA teamed up with verification R&D company Galois to take part in DARPA’s CSFV—Crowd Sourced Formal Verification project. Monster Proof is voidALPHA/Galois’ second effort in the project. Their first game was called StormBound, a visual pattern recognition game set in an alien universe filled with myth and magic.
“A lot is different in Phase 2 of the Verigames project,” Aaron Cammarata, Chief Creative Officer, voidALPHA, said. “Monster Proof builds on many of the lessons we learned on StormBound. This new game is both more entertaining and more effective—we’re getting more results in less time, and early feedback from players has been extremely positive.”
DARPA wants to improve upon traditional formal verification—proving the absence of certain flaws in software code. Currently, formal verification is costly and time-consuming. The Verigames project was created to solve this problem through crowd sourcing using fun and engaging video games. Phase 1 launched five games in December 2013. Utilizing the information learned through game play in 2014, the development teams and mathematicians have created five new games for Phase 2.
Monster Proof is now available at https://monsterproof.verigames.com.
For more information, please refer to the DARPA announcement.
Press Kit: http://www.verigames.com/Verigames_Phase2_PressKit.zip
About voidALPHAvoidALPHA was founded in 2012 by three industry veterans to focus on highly innovative gameplay, specializing in web, smart phones, and tablet gaming. Their first product, Frog Bog, was released in 2013 for iOS. voidALPHA’s clients include DARPA, Intel, and Star Citizen / Cloud Imperium. They provide the full spectrum of game development needs, and have several internal projects in development. voidALPHA is located in Emeryville, Calif.
About GaloisGalois is a U.S. owned and operated company that was founded in 1999 in Portland, Oregon to provide a unique R&D capability for government and commercial clients. Galois applies revolutionary mathematical, computer science and engineering approaches to solve critical problems in software security, safety, privacy and performance. Galois has been instrumental in bringing cutting edge research into practice for the DoD, DoE, Intelligence, biotechnology and aerospace communities.
RSS