SHWMAE – Interactive Games Console

Devices and products (PowerPoint) at C4 Museum of Welsh Cricket, Glamorgan Cricket Ground, Cardiff 2012 SHWMAE is an interactive games console, commissioned by The CC4 Museum of Welsh Cricket at Glamorgan Cricket Club, designed, manufactured and installed by Mark Jones. This is a Heritage Lottery Funded project to develop the first sports-specific Museum in Wales and features a series of innovative interactive displays to celebrate the history of Welsh Cricket and provides e-learning opportunities for schools and colleges. This is a collabortative project between design and computer & video games, developing both the physical interactive console and the gaming software. The design semantics of the console reflect the game and provide clues as to its function. The display monitor is supported on 3 stainless steel tubes and bails, which although abstracted, resemble cricket stumps. This also provides a reference to the many batsmen throughout Welsh history who have played with steel determination defending their wicket. The bails at the top of the stumps provide an access point for the electrical power supply which is feed from the ceiling down the hollow tubes to avoid any trailing cables. This unique project demonstrates the advantages afforded by laser cutting technology and the precision accuracy that can be achieved. The base of the stand is manufactured from laser cut stainless steel. The console arm supporting the controllers is also made using the Universities laser cutters. SWHMAE received very positive feedback during the opening press launch in Sept 2013. Positioned overlooking the cricket ground on the first floor of the National Cricket Centre at Glamorgan Cricket’s headquarters at the SWALEC Stadium in Cardiff. The console is on public display and highlights new product development at Solent University and how collaboration between Product Design and Games can produce a successful commercial outcome.