Tempus fugit: Anyone can understand temporal logic if they have to save the realm

Abstract

Often, the easiest way to learn something is to have to use it for a purpose. This purpose can be playful: In 'Tempus fugit', the player takes on the role of a magician who has to defeat enemies by casting spells. The applicability of spells and enemy attacks depends on the truth of formulas in linear temporal logic with past with respect to a trace that the player gradually builds. So, whoever wants to save the realm from monsters has to learn to read logic formulas. This paper describes the small browser game and explains our design choices. We expose how game mechanics connect to linear temporal logic with past over finite traces, and how this can help players approach a daunting topic like formal logic.