Goliath Games One Trick Pony!
A test of speed that will catch you red handed!
Our goal with One Trick Pony was to create a game that utilized a unique angular momentum device to create a lasso illusion by spinning a loop of string. The result is a reaction-time testing, cow-roping bonanza!
I invented One Trick Pony and codeveloped it with Robert Civetini and Calvin Liedbrock at Big Monster Toys, and it was subsequently licensed by Goliath Games. A high speed toy-grade motor combined with a silicone roller throws the string in a self perpetuating loop. A capacitance sensor in the farm fence lets the game count the number of animals stolen, and after a random number of thefts, One Trick Pony reverses the motor, drawing the string in and lassoing the culprit! A highly cost effective illusion with a dramatic payoff!
Our Model:
One Trick Pony is a relatively simple model; the motor, batteries, speaker, and brain are all housed inside the 3D printed barrel. The pony itself is a 3D printed sculpture with no internal elements, but is vital to the overall storytelling and play experience. The fence conceals a capacitance sensing wire that tracks how fast and how frequently a player grabs cows, waiting to lasso anyone who is too slow!
Goliath’s Commercial:
Our model ended up bearing remarkable resemblance to what Goliath produced. They even kept our initial working title!