Is it possible to make a good educational game?

[DrDeath3191]

Kids have been playing videogames since their inception more than 30 years ago. Parents often express concern that their children are 'rotting their brains' by playing with this Nintendo X-Box thing. People have tried to make educational games in the past; for example the Jumpstart series and Mario is Missing. But these games are considered their own form of "entertainment" (the term is used very lightly) known as Edutainment. Is it possible to make a game that is both fun, and educational?

I believe so. Many people have already been educated by games via tangental learning. If developers make a concerted effort to add elements which can help people learn something without getting in the way of the fun, we could get a little smarter playing videogames.

 

[fer1wi]

Well, Mario Teaches Typing is not one of those.

Although, The Typing of the Dead was VERY fun to play. It may one of the games, if not the only game, that was fun and educational.

 

[Duck Sandwich]

The Age of Empires/Mythology series has a good deal of information that one can educate themselves. For example, the campaigns in Age of Empires are based on historical battles, while in Age of Mythology, you can click on a unit's portrait (which pauses the game) and read an article about an aspect of culture that the unit represents (for example, clicking on a Shade's portrait will bring up an article mentioning that the Underworld in Greek mythology was not a place of torture like Christianity's Hell, but merely a place where there was no honor or glory.

 

[sms_117b]

The Total War series has a lot of historical information in.

In general, games could be very good at conveying information.

 

[HT_Black]

I learned how to pronounce 'Saracen' from AC1...Also, you ever here of a little indie called Timez Attack? Run it by the yutes sometime.

 

[bue519]

Well, Mario Teaches Typing is not one of those.

Although, The Typing of the Dead was VERY fun to play. It may one of the games, if not the only game, that was fun and educational.

Yeah I actually did improve my typing with that game. Now if only Microsoft word would include zombies.

 

[Mirroga]

Ummm, aren't games educational in a way? Overall, almost all games tend to improve our problem-solving skills.

One way or another, games help us either relax or learn, or even be inspired. That's why those who say games aren't educational is not looking at the bigger picture.

Example? Because of playing too much Megaman back then, I learned that every single character in games have patterns. The more you memorize them, the better your chances. This can be applied in real life.

 

[DeadlyYellow]

Does no one remember Number Munchers?

 

[Worgen]

mario trapped in time or some mario history one on the snes was pretty fun

 

[ProfessorLayton]

It's possible, but no one has done it yet.

 

[Ancientgamer]

The Total War series has a lot of historical information in.

In general, games could be very good at conveying information.

Like how the college of cardinals existed before 1066?

Uh-huuh...

 

[Mr0llivand3r]

no it's not possible

people play video games to escape reality. and everyone, kids especially, know that video games + school = clusterfuck.

go to school where you are supposed to be learning about things only to go home and play a video game based on learning? i don't think so

 

[Jimmyjames]

Typing of the Dead, which has been mentioned.

Also, what about the "Carmen Sandiego" games? I learned a whole bunch about geography from those.

In addition, I learned how to convert to hexadecimal for the game "Rendezvous With Rama" (you had to use hexadecimal to communicate with the octospiders).

 

[Jimmyjames]

go to school where you are supposed to be learning about things only to go home and play a video game based on learning? i don't think so

Something about this quote makes me very sad.

 

[Summerstorm]

Sure it is...

I nominate "Bookworm Adventures" for example. It is fun, and you have to think and you even get to see mythical creatures and shit. (And its a Popcap game.. grrrr, oh how i hate Popcap)

But seriously. Most people who make a clever/smart/educating game have horrible production values, and those who have the money make games where you have Shader 3, DX10, hyperexplosions which are perfectly reflected in the water.

 

[Kogarian]

The Age of Empires/Mythology series has a good deal of information that one can educate themselves. For example, the campaigns in Age of Empires are based on historical battles, while in Age of Mythology, you can click on a unit's portrait (which pauses the game) and read an article about an aspect of culture that the unit represents (for example, clicking on a Shade's portrait will bring up an article mentioning that the Underworld in Greek mythology was not a place of torture like Christianity's Hell, but merely a place where there was no honor or glory.

^This. We had one of these threads when I first joined, and most people agreed that the AoE series was one of the best.

Seriously, I would not have learned about crop rotation or husbandry at the age of 10 if it wasn't for this series.

 

[DrDeath3191]

Does no one remember Number Munchers?

HELL YEA! I fucking loved that game back in grade school!

 

[black lincon]

Oregon. Trail.

 

[Calobi]

Does no one remember Number Munchers?

Oh man! I learned the first 27 prime numbers from that game. Good times.

Oregon. Trail.

And you beat me to it.