By Tommi Ilmonen and Kata Koskivaara-Ilmonen.
The idea for the game was born out of sheer necessity. We have three kids, playing various instruments - unsurprisingly, the type of instruments that Tadadaa Bow Quest supports. Children love to play and learn music, but practice is seldom on the “fun list”. Discussions among other parents and teachers confirmed the issue.
So, in early 2019 we came up with the idea of making a game that would encourage children to practice more. A search through the Apple/Google application stores showed that there were a few applications for learning piano on a virtual (or even real) keyboard, but nothing that would work for the flute, viola or cello.
As usual, we had too many ideas of how the game (or games) would work. These ideas were pruned during spring 2019 and work started in earnest in April. Tommi started to write the game code, testing it with real instruments (I am not telling you how many of those we have stashed around the house). Kata worked on the graphics. We did the game design and user interface together. Luckily, we also had the test users readily available, so the kids also got to participate in the research and development. We also pestered the kid’s teachers for ideas and feedback on the prototypes (“Yes, you must have the music in standard notation, those tubes are not enough. And fix that character movement.”).
The development work went on through 2019 and early 2020. There were the usual R&D problems and hick-ups that go with making something new. In February 2020 we started shooting material for the marketing/tutorial videos and applying final polish to the application. It did take a lot of sanding paper, fine craftsmanship and bright colors. We are proud of it.
The game is coming out in the middle of the Coronavirus pandemic. Times are hard, but life does not stop. And when you are stuck at home, this might be just the thing you need.
Keep playing.