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\label{sec:intro}

\Gizmoball is similar to a traditional pinball arcade game with the
notable addition that it gives users the ability to construct their
own game layouts by placing ``gizmos'' on the game board.
Additionally, \Gizmoball can easily be extended with support for new
gizmos and new looks and feels, opening up virtually unlimited
possibilities.

The \Gizmoball user interface is divided into two modes --- playing
mode and editing mode.  Playing mode allows users to play the game,
using the keyboard to control the gizmos.  Editing mode allows users
to edit their game board, as well as to create connections between
gizmos that can lead to a variety of interactions, and to assign key
triggers to gizmos to allow them to be triggered via the keyboard
while playing.  Because of the ability to edit games, \Gizmoball also
includes the ability to save and load game layouts in an XML file
format.