“Elevator Joe”

Elevator games can be fun teaching tools.

“Elevator Joe,” one of a handful of elevator- and escalator-related games available for mobile devices, has the potential to be a fun teaching tool for both riders and those interested in careers in the industry. Introduced in 2013 by the Filipino game-developer duo of Erick Garayblas and Ryan Sumo, “Elevator Joe” is based on the daily experience of an elevator attendant. The player’s task is to move 30 passengers up and down in one round of trips, while keeping them all happy. One round of approximately 2 min. simulates a typical 7-a.m.-to-7-p.m. day. The task makes Joe work in the same way as a control system, as a simplex, in spite of the fact that the lift serves no more than four floors. Among the challenges Joe faces are dinosaurs, cops and robbers, superheroes, and, most importantly, unhappy customers.

Each round of trips Joe has managed is assessed with a satisfaction level in percentage and a corresponding number of chibiyens, the unit of fictitious money he earns as motivation. This reflects what our industry, in general, strives for — to make our clients happy, while generating a profit. The game system gives the player a tip for each round of trips, including:

• Skip floors that you don’t need to stop on.
• Keep in mind, there’s no way but up.
• Keep passengers happy, and you’ll be OK.
• Keep queues short to get your ratings up.
• Patience is, and will always be, a virtue.

Such tips sound practical, useful and encouraging.

When you travel by subway these days, you will see eight out of 10 passengers gazing at and touching their mobile screens, regardless of whether they are seated or standing. Many of them are playing games. Such is the appeal of mobile gaming! The more elevator-related games available, the more players there are likely to be. Elevator-related games will help the public, especially children and young people, understand how elevator and escalator systems work and how to ride them in a safe manner. For example, they can teach them what to do in the event of a breakdown. In an approachable way, they could impart knowledge and common sense concerning rider safety. Moreover, instructive games could be developed for the elevator industry. For example, a game for field employees could incorporate installation and maintenance, and give scores to emphasize good, safety-compliant practices. Such a game promises to encourage improved work efficiency and environmental stewardship, such as saving energy. Some specifically designed games could also integrate professional knowledge and technology that could be used in training or continuing-education courses for maintenance mechanics, technicians and inspectors.