EASTON, PA—“The latest First In Math Online Program game release, Rock-Paper-Scissors (RPS), appears to be an instant blockbuster,” according to program creator Robert Sun. The game launched Friday, March 28, 2014 and announcements were posted that afternoon. During that weekend, 28,507 students played K2 RPS, and nearly 50,000 students played the Standard RPS game.
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There are three versions of Rock-Paper-Scissors: K2 RPS is located in K2 World; Standard is located in Bonus 5 and the challenging RPS Master edition is in Bonus 8. K2 and Standard versions of the game are open to ALL players, regardless of the number of Skill Sets completed. Access to the Master edition is contingent upon completion of Game 1 in Skill Set 8.
“The RPS game combines a simple concept with very challenging play value,” says Sun. “We took a popular game played in school yards for centuries, added the twist of Chess-like strategy and, voila, another engaging game in the FIM universe that develops crucial skills like problem solving and strategic thinking.”
The RPS Standard game features a 4 x 4 grid, where players encounter a varying arrangement of three icons: Rock (fist), Paper (open palm) and Scissors (two fingers). The object is to move an icon to overtake another and repeat the process until there is only one icon remaining. “The added intrigue comes from the fact that each icon has limitations on how it can move and the specific icon it can capture,” explains Sun.
Sun was amazed to find that there were several students who completed the Master version with perfect scores, because games in Bonus 8 are designed to be difficult and intense. “The RPS Master edition plays on a 5 x 5 grid and starts with 10 icons in Round 1 and progresses in difficulty to 15 icons in Round 4. To get a perfect score, you have to complete 60 games without using the Undo or Restart button even once. During our extensive testing process I had difficulty even getting through Round 1 without having to resort to the Undo button,” admits Sun.
“I had a great feeling about these games throughout the year-long long process of creating, refining and testing, but I feel even better about the fact that we are indeed helping to ‘Create a new generation of thinkers’ – and boy can they think at an incredibly high level!”