“Buzzer Mode” is a feature that enhances user interaction during gameplay. This functionality allows players to “buzz” into a game from their mobile device or computer. It can be used in all play modes and event mode. This feature makes it easy for players to keep track of which team or player buzzes in to answer a question first. This adds an element of competition to the game and makes it more engaging. With Buzzer Mode, players can elect to answer a question by simply buzzing in from their device, instead of shouting out their answers. This feature also allows moderators to easily keep track of which team or player buzzed in first and helps to ensure a fair game.
How Buzzer Mode Works
1. To initiate Buzzer Mode in your game, go to the My Games page and choose the game you wish to play. Once the game is loaded, a prompt will appear, asking if you want to activate Buzzer Mode. Click Yes to enable Buzzer Mode for the selected game.
2. To join the game, players should go to www.playfactile.com/join or you can have them scan the QR code provided to open the link. They can use the game’s PIN on their devices.
3. Once all teams have joined, click on the “Begin Game” button to initiate the game.
4. Play the game as usual by opening the tiles. The question will appear on the moderator’s screen, and the teams will see their buzzer on their devices. When a team knows the answer, they can “buzz in” by tapping the buzzer on their device. The moderator will see the team’s name appear on their screen in the order that they buzz in. The first team to buzz in will have the first opportunity to answer the question.
After a team has buzzed in, a number will be displayed on their team podium on the moderator’s screen, accompanied by a visual indicator (yellow finger) pointing to the team that buzzed in first. This team will have the chance to answer the question. If they provide an incorrect answer, the next team in sequential order will have the opportunity to provide their answer.
You can enable the “Arrange buzzed-in team on the left” to automatically place the team who buzzed in first on the left side of the board. This feature helps to quickly identify which team has buzzed in first during gameplay.
The moderator will score answers using the “check mark” or “X mark” on each team’s podium. The check mark will be used to indicate a correct answer, while the X mark will be used to indicate an incorrect answer. The order in which the teams buzz in and answer questions will be displayed on the moderator’s screen, allowing everyone to keep track of the game’s progress.
If a team provides the correct answer, the game will advance to the next question. If the team provides an incorrect answer, the finger will shift to the next team in line that buzzed in, granting them an opportunity to answer the question.
5. Once all the tiles are cleared, the game will advance to Final Factile Mode. Teams will enter their wagers directly from their device.
6. Once all wagers are successfully entered, the Final Factile question will appear. Learn about Final Factile here.
In Final Factile mode, teams can input their wager and final answer directly from their device. When playing with Multi-member Mode, only the team captains will input their wager and final answer from their device, while the remainder of the team can collaborate on the answer.
8. After the Final Factile round, the moderator will score the answers and the game will display the final scores and the winning team or player.
Display Settings for Buzzer Mode
Several display options can be set before you can begin a Buzzer game:
“Question and Buzzer” mode is best if the *students are playing from small devices like their smartphones.
- “Gameboard, Question and Buzzer” is best if the students are playing from Chromebooks, tablets or computers. This option displays the game board on the left side of the screen and the buzzer on the right side. They can view the game board on their computer or tablet while participating in Buzzer Mode, ensuring an engaging and interactive experience from the comfort of their homes.
- “Buzzer Only” is best if you are playing in a classroom set-up where you have the gameboard and the questions displayed on a big screen. This way, only the buzzer is displayed on the players’ devices.
Entering and Viewing Answers in Buzzer Mode
To set how players enter their answers in a Buzzer game, navigate to the Customize page and scroll down to the Buzzer Mode section. The “Enter Answer after Buzz” option allows the player who buzzed in first to input their answer directly from their own device. When players are in the same room and need to communicate their answers verbally, you can disable this option. This allows a player from the first team to buzz in to provide their answer verbally.
This is an example of a Student’s display when “Enter Answer after Buzz” has been set:
Once a team has submitted their answer, the moderator can view it by clicking on the respective team’s podium.
Alternatively, you can customize your settings to automatically display the team’s answer after they have buzzed in.
Buzzer Mode with Choice
When playing a Choice game, teams have the option to select their answer directly from their device. All teams are allowed to provide an answer and the order in which they answer does not matter. Points will be awarded to all teams that provide the correct answer.
Allowing a User to Join Buzzer Mode After the Game Begins
As the moderator, you can allow a player to join the game after it begins. To do this, scroll down to the Buzzer Mode section on the Customize page before launching the game and enable Users Can Join Buzzer Mode After Game Begins.
If a new player wants to join, direct them to playfactile.com/join and have them enter the unique PIN located in the top left corner of the game board.
Once a request to join has been made, the PIN box will turn yellow, allowing you to easily identify and click on it to admit or reject the new player. The moderator can decide what to do with the request by clicking the appropriate button:
- Cancel: If the moderator clicks on ‘Cancel,’ it means they do not wish to accept or reject new players at that time. The PIN box will remain the same color, and players who attempt to join will be notified that the moderator is not currently admitting new players.
- Done: In the waiting teams section, each mascot has two icons next to it. The icon on the left is a “delete” button and the one on the right is a “plus” button. If the moderator clicks on the “delete” button and then clicks “done,” it means that the user has been rejected and won’t be able to join the game. If the moderator clicks on the “plus” button and then clicks “done,” it means that the user has been accepted and will be able to join the game.
- Admit all: Clicking on the “Admit all” button will accept all waiting players to the game at once.
- Delete all: If the moderator clicks on the ‘Delete all’ button, all waiting players will be removed from the waiting list.
Game Leaderboard
To enhance excitement and interaction, you can grant your players access to the game’s leaderboard. Here’s how:
1. On the moderator screen, click on Leaderboard.
2. Share this link to your players https://www.playfactile.com/leaderboard or have them scan the provided QR code.
3. Instruct your players to enter the provided PIN and click Join.
By following these steps, your players and other audience members can monitor the game scores in real-time.
