Is it possible to make a good educational game?

[Lord Beautiful]

Does no one remember Number Munchers?

Wasn't there a follow-up titled "Super Munchers?"

EDIT: Nevermind. I just did the research, and yes, this is exactly what a thought it was. I used to play that stuff all the time back in elementary school (at least when we went to use the old Mackintosh computers).

 

[Satin6T]

Oregon. Trail.

Fuckin A Right! Totally forgot about Oregon Trail!



Morne

how is oregon trail educational
the only thing I remember about that game and all my characters breaking 3 ankles and dieing from dysentary

 

[New Troll]

All games are educational, though often what you learn isn't relevant in your real life.

Some stuff I learned that did help out in life...
Gauntlet taught me about friendly fire.
Double Dragon taught me having a friend is beneficial.
Golden Axe taught me that kicking the little guy can be beneficial.
Wizardry taught me statistics.
Zork taught me to open my mind creatively and to experiment with my surroundings.
Mario taught me love is worth fighting for, no matter who stands in your way.

 

[Cid Silverwing]

The JumpStart series was and continues to be the ultimate in edutainment.

Go Wiki it if you want info on them.

 

[Mediteral]

You learn things from Persona and that was a great game.

 

[DrDeath3191]

Oregon. Trail.

Fuckin A Right! Totally forgot about Oregon Trail!



Morne

how is oregon trail educational
the only thing I remember about that game and all my characters breaking 3 ankles and dieing from dysentary

Well, first of all, I'm sure it was one of your first encounters with the word dysentery. That's just a guess, so sorry if I'm wrong, but most people who played Oregon Trail were rather young. Secondly, it taught many landmarks that people needed and used often, during those timeframes, so geographically educational there. Thirdly, it taught us a bit about over-consumption (Shooting huge animals for small amounts of meat) and conservation of ammo (running out of ammo, and dying of starvation). Fourthly, it teaches you preparation...like how much in supplies you'll need, in order to get to where you're going.

I could keep going, but you get the picture. Sure, it's not an encyclopedia, adapted to game form, but it definitely had it's positive points.


Morne

Don't forget what else it taught you: be a banker. All other professions are crap.

 

[Lord Thodin]

Yeah there were these series of disks that you could buy at booksales at my school. They were all mystery games, with really dark story telling. It was a very dark game, with lots of math, science, and other questions. It was so amazing that when i had to hammy-down it to my little sister Via my parents order, i sat behind her quoting the characters, and laughing when she got the puzzles wrong.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

Sure. Some great Educational games I remember playing inc. The Oregon Trail, Cross Country Canada, Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego, Number Munchers, & Operation Neptune.

 

[Satin6T]

Oregon. Trail.

Fuckin A Right! Totally forgot about Oregon Trail!



Morne

how is oregon trail educational
the only thing I remember about that game and all my characters breaking 3 ankles and dieing from dysentary

Well, first of all, I'm sure it was one of your first encounters with the word dysentery. That's just a guess, so sorry if I'm wrong, but most people who played Oregon Trail were rather young. Secondly, it taught many landmarks that people needed and used often, during those timeframes, so geographically educational there. Thirdly, it taught us a bit about over-consumption (Shooting huge animals for small amounts of meat) and conservation of ammo (running out of ammo, and dying of starvation). Fourthly, it teaches you preparation...like how much in supplies you'll need, in order to get to where you're going.

I could keep going, but you get the picture. Sure, it's not an encyclopedia, adapted to game form, but it definitely had it's positive points.


Morne

Don't forget what else it taught you: be a banker. All other professions are crap.

and survival of the fittest

 

[Laura.]

"Educational game" is an oxymoron.

With emphasis on "moron"

 

[Calobi]

Oregon. Trail.

Fuckin A Right! Totally forgot about Oregon Trail!

Morne

how is oregon trail educational
the only thing I remember about that game and all my characters breaking 3 ankles and dieing from dysentary

And were it not for Oregon Trail would you know that dysentery could kill you? I THINK NOT, GOOD SIR!

Oregon. Trail.

Fuckin A Right! Totally forgot about Oregon Trail!

Morne

how is oregon trail educational
the only thing I remember about that game and all my characters breaking 3 ankles and dieing from dysentary

Well, first of all, I'm sure it was one of your first encounters with the word dysentery. That's just a guess, so sorry if I'm wrong, but most people who played Oregon Trail were rather young. Secondly, it taught many landmarks that people needed and used often, during those timeframes, so geographically educational there. Thirdly, it taught us a bit about over-consumption (Shooting huge animals for small amounts of meat) and conservation of ammo (running out of ammo, and dying of starvation). Fourthly, it teaches you preparation...like how much in supplies you'll need, in order to get to where you're going.

I could keep going, but you get the picture. Sure, it's not an encyclopedia, adapted to game form, but it definitely had it's positive points.

Morne

Don't forget what else it taught you: be a banker. All other professions are crap.

Hey, the Doctor was helpful for keeping people from dying of dysentery.

 

[sln333]

There's no need to make a game about educating people fun. Some games are so good in certain areas that entertainment comes from them. Games with great stories like Bioshock or Mass Effect enlighten people through thematic elements and storytelling. Games like Guitar Hero: World Tour give a basic way to learn about music and possibly create your own. Games like Roller Coaster Tycoon teach kids business skills. While the entertainment is what's on our minds, I'm sure that subconsciously at least we're learning something from games we play. So yes, it is possible to make a good "educational game."

 

[Satin6T]

Oregon. Trail.

Fuckin A Right! Totally forgot about Oregon Trail!

Morne

how is oregon trail educational
the only thing I remember about that game and all my characters breaking 3 ankles and dieing from dysentary

And were it not for Oregon Trail would you know that dysentery could kill you? I THINK NOT, GOOD SIR!

Oregon. Trail.

Fuckin A Right! Totally forgot about Oregon Trail!

Morne

how is oregon trail educational
the only thing I remember about that game and all my characters breaking 3 ankles and dieing from dysentary

Well, first of all, I'm sure it was one of your first encounters with the word dysentery. That's just a guess, so sorry if I'm wrong, but most people who played Oregon Trail were rather young. Secondly, it taught many landmarks that people needed and used often, during those timeframes, so geographically educational there. Thirdly, it taught us a bit about over-consumption (Shooting huge animals for small amounts of meat) and conservation of ammo (running out of ammo, and dying of starvation). Fourthly, it teaches you preparation...like how much in supplies you'll need, in order to get to where you're going.

I could keep going, but you get the picture. Sure, it's not an encyclopedia, adapted to game form, but it definitely had it's positive points.

Morne

Don't forget what else it taught you: be a banker. All other professions are crap.

Hey, the Doctor was helpful for keeping people from dying of dysentery.

only the pussilanimous died
boo-yah SAT word
that's like 20 points for being in the educational section right?

 

[Calobi]

Oregon. Trail.

Fuckin A Right! Totally forgot about Oregon Trail!

Morne

how is oregon trail educational
the only thing I remember about that game and all my characters breaking 3 ankles and dieing from dysentary

And were it not for Oregon Trail would you know that dysentery could kill you? I THINK NOT, GOOD SIR!

Oregon. Trail.

Fuckin A Right! Totally forgot about Oregon Trail!

Morne

how is oregon trail educational
the only thing I remember about that game and all my characters breaking 3 ankles and dieing from dysentary

Well, first of all, I'm sure it was one of your first encounters with the word dysentery. That's just a guess, so sorry if I'm wrong, but most people who played Oregon Trail were rather young. Secondly, it taught many landmarks that people needed and used often, during those timeframes, so geographically educational there. Thirdly, it taught us a bit about over-consumption (Shooting huge animals for small amounts of meat) and conservation of ammo (running out of ammo, and dying of starvation). Fourthly, it teaches you preparation...like how much in supplies you'll need, in order to get to where you're going.

I could keep going, but you get the picture. Sure, it's not an encyclopedia, adapted to game form, but it definitely had it's positive points.

Morne

Don't forget what else it taught you: be a banker. All other professions are crap.

Hey, the Doctor was helpful for keeping people from dying of dysentery.

only the pussilanimous died
boo-yah SAT word
that's like 20 points for being in the educational section right?

So close, but unfortunately it's spelled pusillanimous. Thank you for playing though.

You know what, actually? I'm feeling generous so you get 10 points.

 

[Satin6T]

Oregon. Trail.

Fuckin A Right! Totally forgot about Oregon Trail!

Morne

how is oregon trail educational
the only thing I remember about that game and all my characters breaking 3 ankles and dieing from dysentary

And were it not for Oregon Trail would you know that dysentery could kill you? I THINK NOT, GOOD SIR!

Oregon. Trail.

Fuckin A Right! Totally forgot about Oregon Trail!

Morne

how is oregon trail educational
the only thing I remember about that game and all my characters breaking 3 ankles and dieing from dysentary

Well, first of all, I'm sure it was one of your first encounters with the word dysentery. That's just a guess, so sorry if I'm wrong, but most people who played Oregon Trail were rather young. Secondly, it taught many landmarks that people needed and used often, during those timeframes, so geographically educational there. Thirdly, it taught us a bit about over-consumption (Shooting huge animals for small amounts of meat) and conservation of ammo (running out of ammo, and dying of starvation). Fourthly, it teaches you preparation...like how much in supplies you'll need, in order to get to where you're going.

I could keep going, but you get the picture. Sure, it's not an encyclopedia, adapted to game form, but it definitely had it's positive points.

Morne

Don't forget what else it taught you: be a banker. All other professions are crap.

Hey, the Doctor was helpful for keeping people from dying of dysentery.

only the pussilanimous died
boo-yah SAT word
that's like 20 points for being in the educational section right?

So close, but unfortunately it's spelled pusillanimous. Thank you for playing though.

You know what, actually? I'm feeling generous so you get 10 points.

Score!
10 points in the bank!

 

[Broady Brio]

Age Of Empires II taught me about William Wallace, Joan Of Arc, Motonzuma and other historic people. So yes it's possible because I loved that game.