Lamps vs. Zombies: An AI-Powered Location-Based Game

Lamps versus Zombies (LvsZ) is an AI-enhanced tower defense game designed for children aged 6 to 12. The interactive game addresses the fear of darkness by transforming players into EGLO lamps battling zombies within a 3D-animated space station.

About the client

This installation is part of an in-store concept comprising six stations commissioned by EGLO Leuchten GmbH.

The Challenge

The challenge was to develop an interactive game that would entertain kids while their parents shopped, enabling children to interact with EGLO products in a fun way. Additionally, the installation space needed to be adaptable for multipurpose use, such as presentations and company events.

The Solution

To address this challenge, we created Lamps versus Zombies (LvsZ), an AI-enhanced tower defense game targeted at children aged 6 to 12. This interactive game helps kids overcome their fear of darkness by turning them into bright EGLO lamps fighting zombies in a 3D-animated space station.

"The game accommodates up to six players, who interact with the floor projection grid and see themselves as EGLO lamps on the LED wall display. By stepping on colored sequences on the floor, players charge light tanks and defend their space station from the advancing zombies", says Calin, the game's mastermind.

"It's a challenge to put yourself in the shoes of 6-12-year-olds and understand what's easy and complex, or what's fun and what gets boring quickly. But it can be pretty fun to try and figure it out!"

With power-ups available to gain an advantage, the game offers a dynamic and fun experience for children.

Technically, the design consists of three separate displays: the gameplay LED wall, an interactive floor projection for the play area, and a touchscreen for high scores. We integrated high-resolution LED displays, motion sensors, cameras, and an AI-driven machine-learning algorithm into the installation.

Additionally, the installation allows plug-and-play functionality for external laptops to display presentations on the LED wall and utilize the installation's sound system, all fully integrated into the EGLO building's control system, allowing the space to remain multifunctional.

The Result

Lamps vs. Zombies is a prominent installation next to the cafeteria, allowing kids and young at heart to enjoy a short, entertaining break from shopping. The multifunctionality of the station was already put to test at the opening of the flagship store.