What is TestTubeGames?

TestTubeGames is an independent games studio based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was founded in 2011 by me, an escaped physics grad student turned educator. My name: Andy. My mission: interactive abstract science.

The Philosophy

Science it a wonderful subject to learn by doing. Throw a ball to learn how trajectories work, break open rocks to study minerals. But abstract topics, like theoretical physics, don't lend themselves to easy experiments. Can you travel near the speed of light? (Spoiler alert) No. No you cannot. But in a simulation, you can!

I don't make games, then add the science. I don't start with the science, then add in a game. I work from the ground up, finding the fun, interesting puzzles in a subject. After all, any science topic must have something neat, counterintuitive, beautiful, or wonderous about it. (If not, why would people devote their lives to studying it?) I try to find that kernel, where a game or simulation is waiting.

Press Kit

To grab screenshots of the various games, read their stories, or just all around get media material about them - check out our presskit().

The Risk

This studio is my full time gig, which is both delightful and frightening! Since I am just one guy, I ask you to consider helping out. How, you ask? Here is my three-point list for joining the TestTube club:

• 1. Play a game
• 2. Share it
• 3. Repeat

For an even more complete list, here are a bunch of ways *you* can support these projects.

Contact Me

Comments? Suggestions? Bugs? Stuck on a level? Made a cool science game, yourself? Feel free to drop me a line:

Email: andy a;>t this-domain

Or just join us all in the forums, to chat about the latest in science games.

Client Work

In addition to making my own games (the 'indie' part of game dev), I also regularly take on contract work for clients. If you have a science game you want built, a museum exhibit that needs software, or an educational game you want to prototype, get in touch. Some examples:

Forest to Frigate

Built as part of an exhibit at the USS Constitution Museum. It is a multiplayer engineering competition, with multiple devices networked together. Involves blowing up ships, which is always cool.

The League of Extraordinary Bloggers

Built for the Boston Children's Museum, this is a companion app for an exhibit about southeast Asia. A mystery is afoot - and as you solve it, you'll learn about the cultures of four different countries.

Bond Breaker

Built in collaboration with the Center for Chemistry at the Space Time Limit. Learn about physical chemistry at the atomic scale by shrinking down to the size of a proton.