Explore Relativistic Effects in "A Slower Speed of Light" Game by MIT Game Lab

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses the game "A Slower Speed of Light" developed by the MIT Game Lab, which allows players to experience relativistic effects by manipulating the speed of light within the game. Participants explore the game's accuracy in representing these effects and share related resources.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants find the game interesting and suggest it effectively illustrates relativistic effects by allowing light speed to become comparable to a child's walking speed.
  • Others reference previous discussions that concluded the game is reasonably accurate in its representation of relativistic concepts.
  • One participant mentions the book "Mr. Tompkins in Wonderland" by George Gamow as a relevant exploration of similar themes.
  • Concerns are raised about the game's lack of updates over the past two years and its reliance on the proprietary Unity game framework, which some participants view negatively.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express interest in the game and its educational potential, but there is disagreement regarding its accuracy and the implications of its development choices.

Contextual Notes

Some statements about the game's accuracy are based on earlier discussions, which may not fully capture the current understanding or developments related to the game.

ShayanJ
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I just found this interesting game by MIT game lab. It illustrates a world where the speed of light can become comparable to the walking speed of a child by collecting some orbs. So this way you can see relativistic effects directly. I post this thread so we can discuss the game and the effects and maybe the game's accuracy.
 
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You'll find it discussed in some older threads here as well. If I remember correctly, the conclusion was that it is reasonably accurate.
 
The book, "Mr. Tompkins in Wonderland" by the famous physicist George Gamow, gives an interesting exploration of this (among other things).
 
Nugatory said:
You'll find it discussed in some older threads here as well.

For example, see the Similar Discussions thread listing at the bottom of your thread page... :smile:
 
berkeman said:
For example, see the Similar Discussions thread listing at the bottom of your thread page... :smile:
:blushing:
 
Shyan said:
I just found this interesting game by MIT game lab. It illustrates a world where the speed of light can become comparable to the walking speed of a child by collecting some orbs. So this way you can see relativistic effects directly. I post this thread so we can discuss the game and the effects and maybe the game's accuracy.
I just found the same game while looking up something for another thread. I was going to post on PF about it but a Google search showed me that you beat me to it by a few months. :oldsmile: Looks interesting.
 
HallsofIvy said:
The book, "Mr. Tompkins in Wonderland" by the famous physicist George Gamow, gives an interesting exploration of this (among other things).
s/interesting/inaccurate/ I think ;)

BTW the "game" in the OP hasn't been updated for two years. I think they wanted to drum up some sort of community by calling it "Open Source", but unfortunately they built it atop the closed-source and proprietary Unity game framework. Fail.
 

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