Gadget Invention

Introducing ground-breaking, inspiring and sophisticated technology; is not something you expect from a nineteen years old, first year university student from Wolverhampton. But whilst Ryan Hillback’s friends were partying and indulging on take away food, he was creating a prototype for the world’s first computer generated quiz genius. No longer will you wonder where the saying ‘codswallop’ originates, and how long it takes sunlight to reach the Earth- because ‘Quiz Master’ has over 240,000 facts and statistics just like these; to keep your mind active.

How does the concept work?

A ‘genius’ is uploaded onto a device; via inserting a CD into a DVD port. The user will then use a microphone which is sold with the CD, to ask a question or investigate a statistic, before the ‘genius’ searches the database to find the response.

  The CD utilises 3D visually enhance images, to create an authentic and realistic ‘genius.’ The player can use multi-player to battle with their friends, in a concept which has accumulated an estimated £500 million pounds for its creators so far. It’s available in countries such as Mexico, USA, Spain, Germany and of course the UK. It is the fastest selling product of 2013, with 4.3 million copies sold worldwide.

Negative Reception

Critics claim that the CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) is not fit for purpose, too expensive and doesn’t allow interactivity between the ‘quiz genius’ and the user. Dave Wright, editor of ‘TechMag’ echoed this view: ‘I like the concept but not the execution of it, he expressed. The programme, has 240,000 answers to questions and stats on its database, but what if a user asks something which is not in the database? Also, the lack of interactivity between the ‘quiz genius’ and the user, makes the programme rigid and dogmatic.’

Creators View

Ryan Hillback acknowledges the need for further improvement of the product, but believes it is ‘innovative, exciting and challenging’. ‘Yes we do need to investigate that aspect further (issues of more question/stats added to the database, and interactivity between user and ‘quiz genius’) but we fully believe, that this product is innovative, exciting and challenging.’

  He also stated that the current price of £185 (RRP) had ‘room to maneuverer’