With a red cape tied at the back and a dream, the boy Jequi turns into superhero Jequitinhonha Valley. In the endless search for water, the child runs barefoot across the cracked floor of the semi-arid and face other adversities in one of the poorest regions of the state. The story serves as a backdrop for a video game developed by recently graduated students from PUC Minas.
Called “Dream Jequi” the adventure game goes beyond entertainment. The main goal is awareness. The unprecedented proposal is competing this week for a seat to represent the country on the world stage of the most world cup technology, the Imagine Cup.
Promoted by Microsoft, the national stage of the competition takes place this year in Belo Horizonte, through a partnership with the State Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation (Sectes).
In the competition, nine student projects , teachers and other Brazilian professionals. All eye on the check for $ 50,000 to be given to the most innovative work in the world, elected by the American company. This is the 14th edition of the international tournament.
Jequi Dream
Alessandra Faria de Castro, 45, Ramon Coelho, 34, Erico Grasso, 26, and Daniel Sanabria, 33, part of the mining team Tower Up Studios. The quartet has the Jequi Dream prototype took over a year to get ready. “It’s a cultural and national game,” says Ramon Coelho, who was born in Araçuaí. characteristic of Jequitinhonha scenarios can be seen as the Jequi character tries to collect as much water as possible, dodging the mining hinterland obstacles.
On the computer screen, tablet or smartphone, the player sees the palm (a kind cactus), cattle, poultry and adobe buildings (small blocks similar to brick, but prepared with a mixture of clay and clay dried in the sun).
Announcement of the winner takes place in event open to the public on April 28, at 13h, in the auditorium of the City Administration. To participate, visit minasdigital.mg.gov.br and register
“Extensive research was required. We try to play everything and be very faithful to what people find in the region, “said Eric Grasso. He and Alessandra made drawings that were then scanned and transformed into 3D on the computer.
Another distinguishing feature of the game is the soundtrack, composed by guitarist, singer and composer of the region, Rubinho Valley.
“When I looked, he was very excited about the idea. I asked him to sign an authorization form and, as a typical country of the region, Rubinho said, ‘I said yes. My word is worth, ‘ “says Ramon.
Game Downloads will be reversed in social projects
In addition to bringing the culture and the name Jequitinhonha Valley to the world, the mining team Tower Up Studios intends to develop a social work for the region. A partnership was signed with the humanitarian organization Caritas and in the near future, when the game is available in the market, part of the income of downloads will be reversed in projects that seek to reduce the impact of water shortage. “It’s a way to help those in need. The region is very poor, “adds Ramon Coelho.
A partnership between Microsoft and the State Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation of Minas Gerais (Sectes) allowed the Brazilian stage of the competition was held in Belo Horizonte. To the Deputy Secretary Sectes, Vinicius Rezende, the mining potential in the innovation environment was decisive for the choice.
According to him, the event puts mines in the world evidence. “We had competition from other states, but we have demonstrated that we have great ideas, thinkers and startups. Our state is the one with the highest number of public universities in the country and all told our favor. ” Still according to the Deputy Registrar, despite the time of crisis in the economy, investments have been made in the
The D-Day for the election of the best in each category. – Games, innovation and citizenship – takes place in Proxi ma Thursday. However, the program starts tomorrow.
Brazilian competitors will participate in presentations in other areas of the capital such as the Museum of Natural Sciences at PUC, as well as visits to the dissemination of the work in-postcards metropolis.
GOOD OF HUMANITY
The Imagine Cup was created by Microsoft to hunt talent to develop software and games meant for the good of humanity. This year, 245 projects were registered in Brazil. All were evaluated by a team of experts who selected the top three in each category.
DEU BRAZIL IN 2015
National projects will be evaluated on the 28th by a new Microsoft judging panel for the highly anticipated winner announcement. In 2015, a Brazilian team of students from the University of São Paulo (USP) won the world stage. The group created the program “Clothes for Me”, a tool used in the production of tailored clothing
The World Cup Computer, sponsored by Microsoft, has nine finalists. – Among them Jequi Dream. Meet the other eight participants compete in three categories.
CATEGORY GAMES
Do a Barrel Throw (São Paulo)
Developed by students from the Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), the challenge of the game is composed of a Russian character. It is necessary to overcome obstacles such as throw barrels and perform jumps.
Buns Game (Pernambuco)
Devised by students of Technical School Teacher Agamenon (Etepam) of Recife, the game is designed for smartphones and tablets. The goal is to help the character to catch a bus.
CATEGORY INNOVATION
Echo Sense (Rio Grande do Sul)
It was created by students of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) with the support of Microsoft Innovation Center at PUC-RS. The participants developed a device able to help the visually impaired to identify the distance to an object. For this, engines and ultrasonic sensors are used.
Dreampper (São Paulo)
The responsibility of students of the University of Taubaté, the new social network created seeks to be innovative. In it, users can share photos and exchange experiences on series, movies, games and books with friends in common. A specific tool to create ads on virtual networks is also available.
Vehicular Black Box (Santa Catarina)
Developed by students at the University Educational Society of Santa Catarina, the project helps in the reconstruction of traffic accidents.
CATEGORY CITIZENSHIP
Bridge ( São Paulo)
Platform designed for children with cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy. Project at the University of São Paulo (USP) helps patients make small movements.
AppDemia (Holy Spirit)
Application created by Victoria students that allows the recording of symptoms and disease diagnosis. A dedicated tool for health aims to facilitate information access by health professionals, government agencies and the general public.
Omni (Santa Catarina)
Device for the education area created by students of Joinville. interactive lessons are available for teachers as a way to program and transform the activities done with the students.
