Battleships Game
Client request for a giant ‘Battleships’ board game with large pegs. It needs to be twice the size of a laptop!
She has many conditions and is almost blind. She can see colours but would need large pegs and holes to be fully tactile. It would also help if the boats were different bright colours.
The Challenge
Commercial versions of the game are small, requiring good vision and dexterity to be able to play.
The solution
A couple of visits to the client were made with test pieces to check suitability in terms of size and colour. This resulted in some revisions to the proposed build so that the completed game would be both useable and of a manageable size. With the size of the pegs and playing boards decided, the complete game was constructed from plywood. The pegs were made from pieces cut from broom handles and incorporate a broad groove near the top to assist with gripping. A total of 120 pegs were made, 85 painted white and 35 painted red. To hold the pegs in place on the vertical playing board, each peg has a clout nail fitted in the bottom and each hole in the playing board has a magnet fitted in the bottom of the hole. The completed playing boards were painted green to contrast with the red and white pegs. An outer case was constructed for the boards which also provides storage for the boats and pegs. A marquetry ‘battleship’ was added to the front of the case for interest and to ensure that the case is not opened upside down!
If making another of these, I would have the pegs 3D printed in red and white as this would save many hours that were spent painting the wooden pegs.
The benefit
The client spends much of her time at home. The game gives her something to help fill her time and keep her entertained. It also helps to improve her dexterity as well as presenting a mental challenge.
The client is delighted with the completed game which was delivered at the end of November. She couldn’t stop smiling and said: “It’s the best early Christmas present ever!”
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