LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT: Mars Base Command

Creating the Challenge

There are two ways, again, that a challenge can be created. The first occurs when you have an idea for the challenge and create the story first. I’ve used this method before, because sometimes, writing the story helps me to develop (in my mind) the vision I have for the final challenge. Other times, I have an idea for the layout of the challenge I want to create, and then I write the story later and make certain it has elements mentioned in it that match up to the actual challenge the players will attempt.

Whichever method you use, you’ll find that designing the challenge is, well, challenging. You’ve got to designate the size of the challenge area and determine how many models will be created as obstacles to the robot’s ...