Game 1: Qaboom 

Note: this is still a prototype and not yet fully ready for home or custom use (it is made for Arcade Machines!). Controls: Player 1 with “wasd” for movement and “e” for flip and “q” for swap. Player 2 with “ijkl” and “o” and “u”. With “r” you can exit the game and with “p” you can pause/unpause the game.

Game 2: Quantum Quest

Note: this is still a prototype and not yet fully ready for home or custom use (it is made for Arcade Machines!). Controls: Player 1 with arrow keys for movement and “e” for exit. Press “l” for language to switch between German and English.

Motivation

Quantum computing has gained global attention over the past two decades and is considered a transformative future technology. To familiarize the general public, particularly young people, with the foundational mathematical concepts and ideas behind quantum computing— and to encourage their participation — a low-threshold, audience-oriented approach is essential.

Goals and Approach

Our goal is to communicate the mathematical core concepts of quantum computing through games. We are developing two computer games: a skill-based platformer and a puzzle game. These will be presented as arcade machines in museums, public spaces, and events such as major video game conventions. The games will be accompanied by workshops featuring coding and co-creation components. Additionally, the project includes an openly published evaluation of knowledge transfer right from the beginning.

Innovation and Perspectives

The project’s innovation lies in transferring knowledge through arcade machines featuring computer games and showcasing these machines in museums and at a gaming convention. The computer games and workshop curriculum are openly licensed, allowing for further development and reuse of the content, including in participatory workshops, by museums and other multipliers. The project will be evaluated with input from the target audience from the outset. All content will be shared at international conferences and through partner networks.

This project is part of the program “Quantum aktiv – Outreach-Konzepte und Open Innovation für Quantentechnologien” by the BMBF. The project partners are IMAGINARY and the Max- Planck-Institut für Mathematik in den Naturwissenschaften. The Arcade Machines will be presented in Arcade Machines and will tour Germany. Supported by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt), Germany