Board Game

Review

Turing Machine Review: Crack the Code with a "Punch Card" Computer

07/06/24, 0 comments

We're scientists in 1950, and our challenge is to be the first to crack the secret code with the "punch card" Turing machine. Use your cards, question the machine, analyze your data, and guess the code! Are you ready?

By Cesar Cusin

translated by Joey

revised by Tabata Marques

The Turing Machine

Alan Turing is considered the "father of modern computer science", and did a lot for this field as well as the field of artificial intelligence during his short life. He also created the iconic "Turing test".

Check out some gameplay (with rules beforehand, but I timed it for you):

"Turing Machine" is a true gift to put your logic and math skills to work, and also greatly encourages you to research, focus on collecting data, and run practical "scientific" tests. If you do all of this as best as you can, you'll get punch cards with the clues you need to guess the results. Let's go!

Mathematical logic is useful for everything in our lives. This game takes this to the extreme, and I confess it feels great when you get it right as you play, as it makes you feel "smarter". However, what we'll actually be using as we play is a skill we all have, though I confess some are more inclined to it than others, particularly those who lean towards STEM, or at least like this field.

I highly recommend playing Turing Machine to encourage your children to work on their logic skills. Start with the easier problems, and encourage your children to use their brain. They'll eventually want more codes, and harder ones too. Do it for them, and they'll thank you in the future!

This game also encourages research, as you need to test your guesses all the time, and that's nothing more than running trials to get to the result you want. It is quite stimulating for children who always want to learn about everything.

As note-taking is essential, whoever takes their time and focuses on accurately writing down test results will be more successful. This shows how important it is to collect data accurately, which is also something we use daily. Turing Machine will teach them how valuable it is to take notes as accurately and clearly as you can - and make sure they don't have to run the same tests again later.

Tests are also essential as they are the basis of this game, so knowing how to read them is the key to everything. That's when you'll use your focus and logic skills. I highly recommend that, if you're playing with children, you help them through this step without telling them the results. Help them use logic and teach them how to read the answer the machine gives them.

I can say for sure that whoever finds the code and wins the game feels really empowered because this game truly makes you lean on your logic and deduction skills. It is an incredible sensation!

In the end, this game will teach you how to make the most out of your logic and deduction skills!

I highly recommend you add Turing Machine to your collection.