Best Serious Game & Best Applied Game Design
Dutch Game Awards 2013
UNDERGROUND
Underground is a challenging and seriously fun puzzle game by Grendel Games, created especially for the Nintendo Wii U. At the same time, it’s a validated training tool for laparoscopic motor skills. This award winning game features a heartwarming storyline about a little girl named Sari and Sw4nk, her butler robot friend.
When Sw4nk does an unsatisfying job, Sari’s father sends him away to work in the mines. Sari goes against her father’s will and tries to break him out. While traveling through the underground caverns, Sari and the robots get themselves into a world of trouble and its up to you to help them out of their predicament.
During their quest for safety you will be presented with challenging situations in four unique worlds; each with their own threats and opportunities. Discover all the different building blocks and build your way up to the surface in this charming game about friendship, robots and a little girl who loves to dance.
SURGICAL TRAINING
Practice makes perfect. Surgical doctors-in-training residents all around the world have access to various box trainers and virtual reality simulators to train and maintain their laparoscopic skill set. However, due to a high workload, at the end of the day not everyone has time and energy to practice on these repetitive machines. By turning these drills into a fun and engaging video game, experienced doctors and doctors-in-training can practice them at home, and, more importantly, have fun while doing so.
The Underground hardware has been scientifically validated through its stages of development. Not only does it possess solid face validity, but it also posesses a very strong construct and concurrent validity. A basic level of the game was able to distinguish various levels of laparoscopic expertise and showed a high and significant correlation (r = 0.812, P < 0.001) to the FLS Peg Transfer task, a gold standard for measuring a wide array of laparoscopic skills. coordination, inverse movements and bi-manual dexterity.
LAPAROSCOPIC CONTROLLER
Although you can play Underground using the Wii U GamePad, actual motor skill training only takes place when using the custom made laparoscopic controller.
The laparoscopic controller’s two handsets each house a Wii Remote and a Wii Nunchuk. Each handset has a lance that is anchored to the playing field through a hinge joint. The playing field registers motion and rotation from each of the handsets using infrared light. This enables the player to control the game using motions identical to those performed during laparoscopic surgery.
Important notice
Since Nintendo has discontinued the production, sale and the support for the WiiU, we no longer offer Underground and the Laparoscopic Controller for sale.
BENEFITS
Effective
While playing this spectacular puzzle- action game, players subconsciously train their basic laparoscopic skills, such as depth perception, eye-hand coordination, inverse movements and bi-manual dexterity.
By packaging serious matter, such as laparoscopic skills training, in a fun and easily accessible package, surgeons and residents can practice their operating skills while playing a video game. It’s a win-win situation!
A validation study has been conducted around the idea, validity and effect of the game. You can also download a digital version of the thesis.
Training
Surgical doctors-in-training residents all around the world can play Underground from any location, even their homes. Making this an easily accessible training tool.
Underground is also a validated training tool. Its hardware has been scientifically validated through its stages of development. Not only does it possess solid face validity, but it also possesses a very strong construct and concurrent validity. All in all making this an effective training.
Affordable
At Cutting Edge, we believe that training solutions should be reliable and affordable. That is why we chose to develop our game on a commercially available, consumer- grade video game console.
The game can be played using the Wii U GamePad (non medical) and with the specially developed (separately sold) laparoscopic controller for medical purposes. Off course actual training only takes place when using the laparoscopic controller.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Does this game really train laparoscopic motor skills?
Yes, it does. A validation study has been conducted around the idea, validity and effect of the game. You can also download a digital version of the thesis.
Where can I buy the game?
Since Nintendo has discontinued the production, sale and the support for the WiiU, we no longer offer Underground and the Laparoscopic Controller for sale.
Where can I buy the laparoscopic controller?
Since Nintendo has discontinued the production, sale and the support for the WiiU, we no longer offer Underground and the Laparoscopic Controller for sale.
Will you supply the Wii Remote and Wii Nunchuk controllers?
No. The Wii Remote and Wii Nunchuk controllers need to be purchased separately, unless you order a complete pre-installed set from us. See the Controller page for more information.
Do I need the laparoscopic controller to play the game?
The laparoscopic controller is not required in order to play the game, but you will not be able to train your laparoscopic motor skills without it.
How much did the game cost?
The game software was €19,95, and the laparoscopic controller cost €249,- (Includes VAT).
Can I use my Wii to play this game?
Unfortunately, no. Underground only runs on Wii U. There are no current plans to support any other systems.
Do I need a separate television screen?
You will need a Wii U game console to play Underground. The Wii U game console connects to any television or monitor that has an HDMI connection.
CONTACT
Cutting Edge
At Cutting Edge, we believe that training solutions should be reliable and affordable. That is why we chose to develop our game on a commercially available, consumer grade video game console. The Underground laparoscopic controller, which requires two standard Wii™ Remote and Nunchuk™ controllers, is sold separately for a price that is comparable to existing game hardware. Underground can also be played by the non-medical consumer without the laparoscopic controller using the Wii U™ GamePad.
Contact info
Cutting Edge
Blokhuisplein 40
8911 LJ Leeuwarden
The Netherlands