Want to know more about quantum? These games make it fun
Tic tac toe, but with quantum effects. That makes learning the principles of quantum technology a piece of cake. This is the aim of a new start-up founded by researcher Evert van Nieuwenburg: QuantumPlayed. ‘Quantum is all around us and everyone should be able to learn about it.’
More and more companies have a quantum department or want one, but that requires specialized people. And currently, there is a shortage of those. ‘Developments are moving at lightning speed. In five, ten or twenty years the quantum technology will be there and then we need people who can use it,’ says Van Nieuwenburg. ‘We have to prepare our society for that new technology.’
Gamification: an accessible introduction to quantum
Several quantum training and education programs already exist, but Van Nieuwenburg is putting a new spin on them with QuantumPlayed. ‘We are making a teaching package based on quantum games. The advantage is that games make it fun. Quantum is such unknown territory for many people, I think this is a good way to take away any fear and reluctance. You could even use it for team building.’
Van Nieuwenburg foresees plenty of interest in the training. ‘Colleagues in the U.S. with whom I work do something similar and they are approached by many companies. In the Netherlands, we still have to build a network, of course, but through the Applied Quantum Algorithms research group, there are already several industry collaborations. We are the original inventors of quantum Tiq Taq Toe and also one of the few providers. And what matters most: we are simply very good at this ’
Developing new games
‘I think it's important to get people excited about quantum and bring everyone along in this development. I would sign for it if QuantumPlayed could become the main part of my work. But for now, I am focusing on my research and there is another CEO,’ Van Nieuwenburg indicates. He does, however, remain involved in developing the training material. ‘I always have hundreds of ideas for new games, but not enough time! The next one might be a quantum version of Super Mario or Frogger, how fun would that be?’
Give it a try!
Van Nieuwenburg previously helped create an online opponent in quantum chess and developed a quantum version of Tic-Tac-Toe for fun. In such games, extra effects are added based on the rules of quantum physics. For example, you can put a cross on two squares at the same time (superposition) or link two squares together (entanglement).
Try Quantum-Tic-Tac-Toe for yourself now: https://www.tiqtaqtoe.com