Makego iPhone app blurs boundaries between digital and physical play

"Children need to have some time with cardboard, paint and Lego," says designer Chris O'Shea

Talk to parents whose children are using the applications, and you will often find a lingering concern in the back of their minds on the game play physical digital cannibalization.

If a child has access to beautiful applications, an interactive touch screen, he or she is interested in building blocks, play dough, painting and small cars? Call it a re-execution of children or TV debate, if desired.

In my experience, the concerns are unfounded, because it is a matter of choice / or dynamic here. My children are so happy and smiling face painting Lego dig because they play on an iPad.

But another interesting trend. Applications that try to get in the real world to combine digital and physical games

You can see in the game Toca Toca Toca Boca you shop and applications, which are designed to be used as a spark to the role-play in the real world, rather than substitute for it thereof.

Meanwhile, Disney and Crayola accessories launched applications for children, a toy car and a pencil, respectively, device type. Hallmark sells teddy bears interacting with a series of books by applications when placed next to the iPad. It is only the beginning.

Makego is another excellent example of blurred boundaries between digital and physical play. The application was launched in February 2012 by the British artist and designer Chris O'Shea, who has worked on a number of works of installation art in recent years.

The application runs on an iPhone or iPod touch Makego, and takes the form of a series of animated vehicles, seen from a top to bottom - a race car, truck ice cream and a riverboat. This means that the engine noise and newspapers, and even an ice, and leakage and bread for the ducks, respectively.

The twist is this: children are a physical chassis to house the device IOS - cardboard and Lego are two obvious ways - and then you can drive your virtual car along the floor or table. He is very intelligent, but simple.

"I was very interested to know why the game is important, looking at how parents and children play together and be surprised by things," says O'Shea.

• "I also wanted something that more people could be exposed. Facilities to attract an audience quite limited, and only exist in movies once. I liked the idea of have something that people can buy and play at home. "
• Having considered doing something with the Xbox Kinect driver, O'Shea has finally decided to test an application for the iPhone. Therefore Makego, he is definitely a toy rather than a product education. And he that is designed to be shared.

"I think we'll start to see more co-set of experiences between parents and children in these devices," he says. "It's not only give your child a phone to the back of the car to keep them quiet. It's about using things around the kitchen table. "

O'Shea admits an obstacle to the use Makego is this requirement for the physical creation, which may not suit all parents.

"The barrier to some parents may be" How can I make this car? "He said." You must be the kind of father would sit down and do that thing with your child. A lot of people and could not buy the car, though, so I thought at cards. "

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