This Month's Most Viewed Games Tagged 'educational, Windows' on The Great Games Experiment This Month's Most Viewed Games Tagged 'educational, Windows' on The Great Games Experiment http://www.greatgamesexperiment.com/css/logo.jpg This Month's Most Viewed Games Tagged 'educational, Windows' on The Great Games Experiment en-us Mecapumble
]]> 05 Sep 2007 03:05:36 You Don't Know Jack

You Don't Know Jack: the show where high culture and pop culture collide!


You Don't Know Jack is a series of quiz show-inspired computer games which combine trivia and comedy. The games are known for their humor and challenge, as well as simple presentation. The games rarely use graphics, relying heavily on voice acting and text.

The games have recently been revived at the YDKJ official website, where new episodes are released every weekday. These are developed in Flash and are available to play for free within your web browser.

Category: Quiz

Release Date: Varied

Developer: Jellyvision
]]> 26 Mar 2007 11:13:20 Epidemic
]]> 07 Aug 2007 03:13:41 Gamoliyas
]]> 26 Aug 2007 02:20:10 Oregon Trail The Oregon Trail is an educational computer game about American pioneer life that has a long history in North American school districts and homes. The game was inspired by the real-life Oregon Trail and was designed to teach school children about the realities of 19th century pioneer life on the trail. The player takes the role of a party of people, of a selected profession, traveling across the Oregon Trail in a Conestoga wagon. The success of the game has spawned numerous sequels such as The Amazon Trail and The Yukon Trail.

The first version of the game, simply entitled "OREGON" was made in 1971 and was designed for the teletype machines operating on the TIES system at Carleton College. The original coder was Bill Heinemann. One of the original developers, Don Rawitsch, was a history teacher who later began working at the state-funded Minnesota Educational Computing Consortium (MECC) in 1974, where the game would be further developed. Oregon Trail was distributed through the consortium to educational institutions and the code (written in BASIC) was published in Creative Magazine allowing users of Commodore PET and other early home microcomputers to input it into their own machines to play.
]]> 30 Jan 2007 06:35:07 Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego There is a popular line of educational software mystery games based on Carmen Sandiego. Each game of the series has a particular theme and subject, where the player must use his or her knowledge to find Carmen or any of her innumerable henchmen. This series was originally produced by Broderbund, but it is now produced by The Learning Company.

from wikipedia.com
]]> 15 Jan 2007 07:29:55 Oregon Trail II This version of the game includes far more detail than the original. For instance, rafting down the Columbia River is a much greater challenge than it was in the original Oregon Trail. Whenever an accident happens, the game ceases and the player must decide what to do in response. Players are also able to talk with other settlers along the way and ask their advice when needed.

This version also allows the player to choose between 20 years of travel (rather than 1 in the original) from 1840 to 1860. Travel is much easier in later years, as there are more towns and trading posts along the way to resupply your party.

OCCUPATIONS: In the Oregon Trail II, you can also select a number of different occupations, many with different skills that can assist you in your journey across the west. Such occupations include banker, doctor, merchant, pharmacist, wainwright, gunsmith, mason, blacksmith, wheelwright, cappenter, saddlemaker, brickmaker, prospector, trapper, surveyor, shoemaker, journalist, printer, butcher, baker, tailor, farmer, pastor, artist, and teacher. (Occupations listed in descending order in terms of cash on hand in the beginning of the game.) Despite some occupations having more money than others, the low income occupations get a greater final bonus, which proves crucial in getting a decent score in the end of the game. For example, a teacher may begin the game with only $500, but receives a 5.0x score bonus. A banker starts off with $2000, but receives a 1x bonus (no bonus). If the banker uses his abundance of funds, he can buy most everything essential for the journey right away and would need to resupply very few times over the course of the trip. Let's say the banker makes it to his destination with a score of around 4,000. If the teacher does well over the course of their journey headed to the same destination and utilizes trading well because of limited money, they will most likely get nearly five times the score of the banker.

LEVELS: Along with selecting an occupation for your character, you must also choose if you wish to remain a Greenhorn (a regular member of the wagon party, having no authority), an adventurer (Wagon train captain, elected to lead and choose different trails) and the trail guide (Navigator, paid well and allowed to choose paths at trail forks, but can be kicked off the wagon train if morale falls too low).

STARTING TOWNS: There is a decent selection of starting points, including the classic Independence, MO, and newer towns like St. Joseph, MO, Kanesville/Council Bluffs, IA, and Nauvoo, IL.

TRAILS AND LANDMARKS: The historical accuracy of the trails and landmarks is astounding. Famous trails other than the Oregon trail are also a part of the game, including the California Trail, Applegate Trail, and Mormon Trail.

DESTINATIONS: Also, there are four possible destinations. However, some destinations are available in different years: Oregon City (Earlier year the Willamette Valley), Sacramento (Earlier year the Sacramento Valley), Jacksonville, OR, (Earlier year the Rogue River Valley), or Salt Lake City.

HUNTING: Inside the game is the classic hunting sub-game. In Oregon Trail II, you can choose between three firearms for hunting: the Pistol, the Shotgun, and the Rifle. The Pistol is the most basic hunting tool and is only really effective against rodents large and small, killing larger animals such as deer and bear take multiple shots. The Shotgun is effective against birds and other animals at close range, but doesn't have the range or power to take down buffalo, etc. Overall, the Rifle is the best firearm in the game. Usually killing an animal close and far with one kill, it is the "most for your money" firearm in the game.

SUPPLIES: Especially in large towns, the selection of supplies is astounding. Dozens of medicines, clothing items, food items and other miscellaneous essentials (and not so essentials) are available for purchasing. During the beginning of the game, package deals are available up to six months of provisions. Keep in mind, however that the many perils in the game will cause many provisions to be lost or used for trade. It is still prudent to purchase the largest package deal offered.

ANIMALS: Some various animal types are available during the game to bring along in your trek across the western territories, such as Oxen, Horses, Mules, Chickens, and Milk Cows. Different animals provide different uses, such as Oxen being effective in pulling your wagon to your destination and chickens laying eggs for consumption. In the end of the game, the more draft animals you have, the better your score in that category.

OTHER: Some other unique aspects of the game include the California Gold Rush after 1848 and your ability to prospect for gold (If your occupation is prospector, you'll typically find more gold than anyone else). At the destination screen in the end of the game, you can also read a fun "What Lies Ahead" section which describes what happens to your character after they settle. Also, you are able to save your diary, which the computer keeps for you so you can reflect on the events of your journey.

(Quoted from Wikipedia)
]]> 10 Jun 2007 01:08:07 biosys You wake up suffering from amnesia in what appears to be a rainforest but is actually one of four artificial biomes. To survive you have to keep the biomes working, so that you have food, water and fresh air. Beside manipulating the ecological conditions and getting yourself food and water, you also have to find out what happend to the biomes, what your role in it was and how you can get out alive, as you soon will find out about an experiment that went terribly wrong...
Biosys is a suspenseful 360° panorama point-and-click adventure with many puzzles to solve and several simulation elements. Beyond this you can learn something about flora and fauna in different ecological systems.
]]> 06 Jul 2007 09:17:44 The Restaurant Game The Restaurant Game is a research project at the MIT Media Lab that will algorithmically combine the gameplay experiences of thousands of players to create a new game. In a few months, we will apply machine learning algorithms to data collected through the multiplayer Restaurant Game, and produce a new single-player game that we will enter into the 2008 Independent Games Festival. Everyone who plays The Restaurant Game will be credited as a Game Designer. It's never been easier to earn Game Designer credentials!

This game was created with Torque v1.5.
]]> 07 Mar 2007 01:33:16 Rockets!
]]> 05 Aug 2007 11:22:18 Unreal World A rogue-like RPG with proper graphics, that puts the player in the shoes of a man in Finland during the iron age. There are several beginning scenarios, ranging from being simply lost in wilderness, to a failed hunting trip where your father was killed by a bear, to fleeing from eastern Njerpez-slavers.

The game is non-linear, and doesn't have a plot, but relies mostly on player-driven freeform exploration and everyday survival. The player can manufacture virtually all items required for survival: Clothing from fur gained from hunting, food from fishing, hunting or agriculture, and shelter by the means of a temporary spruce twig cover, or an entire timber cabin if the player chooses to build it. If the player wishes, you can even go to villages and start courting the girls, and get married.

There are four courses in the game, where one is free roaming, and the other three offer advice, and required items for pursuing anything from hunting, to long term survival and exploration and advanced adventuring.

The game is surprisingly easy to play, once you get used to the controls. The only downfall is the graphics, but considering that it's a roguelike, they are pretty impressive. One of the game's definite merits is the atmosphere, and how enjoyable the daily survival can be. All the features included are difficult to pursue with a single character, so making more after finishing with one is almost a must, if you wish to explore all the gaming options.

The game is shareware, and the instructions for ordering the full version are available on the author's website:
http://www.jmp.fi/~smaarane/urw.html

The trial has a time limit of 10 game days, and some restrictions, but plays almost like the full version.

One version registeration is 11 USD, but since the game is in constant development, 42 USD gets the registration to all future versions of the game.
]]> 25 Mar 2007 11:04:13 Beethoven's Hair The player must first summon the ghost of Beethoven before they can fully enter the online game world. This is done by performing a ritual with a strand of Beethoven's hair. The game world will be a fictionalization and poetic interpretation based on established facts already know about Beethoven. Beethoven's ghost will take the player on a dramatic journey rendered within in a poetic and theatrical game like setting, enabling the player to gain a greater insight into Beethoven's physiological workings in relation to his music. It will involve the player in a dreamlike game story that will allow the player to reveal and engage in key themes of Beethoven's life, his hopes and fears. These will be encapsulated in a series of mini-games contained within elements formed by Beethoven's own memories and visions.
]]> 12 Jun 2007 06:05:32 Gaygate: EEP This is an online FPS game based on pure humor. But the name doesn't mean we are gay, the game is just for gay gags and stuff.
The story is: One day some students set up two forces, the Gay force and the Victim force. Then they battle.
We cannot let out any form of information for it will spoil a lot of things.
The game is basically a giant interactive humor shooting gag.

Created by the EEP students of Bodin 3, Thailand.

The game is still in concept phase and is far from finished.

Please stop voting the anticipation so low. As an explanation. The concepts are just 1 minute jobs! Don't judge the game for this stuff. Thanks.
]]> 23 Jun 2007 10:51:42 Survival: The Ultimate Challenge
]]> 31 Jul 2007 06:05:27 Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego In 1997, a new version, heavily influenced by the game show, was released by Brøderbund as simply Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego?. In 1999, the game was retitled Carmen Sandiego's Great Chase Through Time under The Learning Company.

The gamer plays as a "time sleuth" for the ACME Detective Agency. The objective of the game is to track down Carmen Sandiego and her henchman by jumping through "time tunnels". "Time tunnels" are tears in the time-space continuum that are left whenever the Chronoskimmer (a time travel device owned by the ACME agency) jumps through time. Being an educational title, the player ends up in many famous historical situations, meeting William the Conqueror and Johann Gutenberg, among others. On each mission the player is accompanied by a "good guide" from the agency. The five good guides are: Rock Solid, the muscle bound outdoors man, Ivan Idea, the skilled inventor and scientist, Renee Santz, a knowledgeable artist and musician, Ann Tickwitti, who is especially skilled in ancient civilizations, and Polly Tix, who deals with what else, Politics.

This version of the game features Lynne Thigpen and five villains of the PBS game show. The goal is to solve 18 mysteries and to catch all nine of Carmen's villains and ultimately arrest Carmen herself. In each case the player has to fix a problem with history created by Carmen's villains and arrest the thief.

The game is included on two CD-ROM's, the first one having the first eight cases and the second one having the remaining eleven. At the start of the second CD-ROM, Carmen busts all her thieves out of jail so they can return to stealing, but "laser bars" are added after this to prevent another jailbreak from happening. Curiously, one of the thieves, Dee Cryption, was not shown getting captured on the first disc, yet she still appears being busted out of jail with the other crooks at the start of the second disc.

(Quoted from Wikipedia)
]]> 03 Jun 2007 10:12:16 Calamity Game The Calamity Game is a Flash sandbox where you can set up scenes that unfold based on simple laws of physics acting on a rag doll. These scenes can be shared with the community of Calamity Game users, who can view the scene you have created and then build upon it. There is no objective to Calamity Game; you can't do anything wrong. Calamity Game is as boundless as your imagination.
]]> 21 Jun 2007 12:49:56 Real Lives 2007
]]> 27 Jul 2007 02:11:45 The Yukon Trail The Yukon Trail is a computer game from MECC, the creators of Oregon Trail. The game is based around the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 19th century. Players start out in Seattle, where they must partner up, secure travel, and purchase needed provisions.

Periodically, the player stops at landmarks along the journey, where players can learn historical facts about each location. Some include the Dead Horse Trail, the totem poles, and the three rapids: Miles Canyon, Whitehorse Rapids and Five Finger Rapids.
]]> 30 Jan 2007 09:23:38 The Redistricting Game The game exposes how redistricting works, how it is abused, and how it adversely affects our democracy. It provides hands-on understanding of the real redistricting process, including drawing district maps and interacting with strongheaded party bosses, congresspeople, citizen groups, and courts. Players directly experience how crafty manipulation of lines can yield skewed victories for either party - effectively allowing politicians to choose their voters instead voters choosing their politicians.

In addition the game provides details on a variety of reform measures - including a playable version of Rep. Tanner's "Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act" (H.R. 2642) - as well as features that allow players to get involved in the public discourse: by dialoging with fellow citizens in an online forum, spreading the word to their friends, and even writing their congressperson directly from the game.
]]> 06 Jul 2007 11:40:30 Village the Game
]]> 09 Aug 2007 11:01:32 Truthware
]]> 11 Aug 2007 03:24:14 Lettuce-Season Lettuce-Season its the new mini production of Grogged Studios, A simulator game of lettuce cultive

You will a farmer, Can you harvests a good orchard of lettuces that survive to frosts, droughts, plagues and diseases?
]]> 27 Feb 2007 12:00:23 Animals at Home Hunt for the questions and then answer them to see the picture of the animal!
]]> 01 Mar 2007 04:19:54 The Interactive Parables The Interactive Parables is a fun, 3-D game combining lessons from the Parables of Jesus. There are twenty four lessons from Jesus' Parables grouped together by theme. Complete each lesson to win a crown. A great Bible-based product for your family, church or home school. Students 10 and older will enjoy it. Younger students would enjoy it as well with parent partners.

Within the game, you will fly, slide, jump, bounce, dodge, search, and solve puzzles in 20 game levels. Meanwhile, you are learning about the lesson based on Jesus' Parables. The Interactive Parables is a great tool to have fun and learn at the same time. With twenty four lessons, it fully covers every Parable told by Jesus Christ. It promotes understanding and retention while providing positive experiences for students. It requires Windows 98, ME, XP, or XP Pro and 3D graphics capability. It's packaged in either a full or slim-line jewel case.

The Interactive Parables Offers 24 Lessons and 20 Game Levels
The Debtors & the Great Pearl
The Friend at Midnight & 10 Virgins
The Good Samaritan
The Good Shepherd
The Growing Seed
The Lost Coin & Lost Sheep
The Prodigal Son
The Merciless Servant
The Mustard Seed & Yeast In Dough
The Rich Man & Lazarus
The Rich Young Fool
The Sheep & Goats
The Shrewd Manager
Two Sons & Barren Fig Tree
The Sower - Details
The Sower - Explained
The Talents and Minas
The Vineyard Workers
The Wedding & Great Banquets
The Weeds & Fishing Net
The Wicked Tenants
The Widow, Pharisees, & Tax Collectors
The Wineskin
The Wise Men

Game Levels
Simple
Floaters
One Floor
The Pyramid
Three Pyramids
Square Room
Pyramid Maze
The Wandering Path
Bizarre World
The Great Hall
Mole Hills
Standing Tall
The Mines
Chimneys
The Dark Castle
TriRoom
One Way
Barrel Factory
Leap Of Faith
Drum Room
]]> 12 Jun 2007 06:02:37 The Incredible Machine From Wikipedia: Incredible Machine Article
The general objective of the games is to create a series of Rube Goldberg devices: arrange a given collection of objects in a needlessly complex fashion so as to perform some simple task (for example, "put the ball into a box" or "light a candle"). Available objects ranged from simple ropes and pulleys to electrical generators, bowling balls and even cats and mice. The levels usually have some fixed objects that cannot be moved by the player, and so the only way to solve the puzzle is carefully arrange the given objects around the fixed items. There is also a "freeform" option that allows the user to "play" with all the objects with no set goal or to also build their own puzzles with goals for other players to attempt to solve.

Created at Dynamix by Jeff Tunnell (Director, designer) and Kevin Ryan (Programmer, designer)
]]> 18 Oct 2006 03:40:21 Venture Arctic Venture Arctic is a ground-breaking ecosystem sim game that plays like a cross between a real-time strategy game and a paint program. In it, players embark on open-ended adventures in icy lands where wolves roam the tundra and orcas patrol the seas.
]]> 29 Nov 2006 06:59:25 Europa Universalis 3 Europa Universalis III delves deeply into the areas of exploration, trade, warfare and diplomacy. This epic strategy game lets players take control of a nation and guide it through the ages to become a great global empire. Unparalleled in its depth and historical accuracy, Europa Universalis III gives the player unprecedented freedom in how they choose to rule their nation from an impressive choice of over 250 historically accurate countries.

KEY FEATURES
• Players can enjoy over 300 years of game play by starting at ANY date between 1453 and 1789.
• Nation building is flexible: decide your own form of government, the structure of your society, trade politics and much more. The possibilities are endless.
• The great people and personalities of the past are on hand to support you. Take history in your hands and call personalities like Sir Isaac Newton, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart or René Descartes to your court.
• A lush topographic map in full 3D allows for a rich and complete world view, and contains more than 1700 provinces and sea zones.
• Lead any one of more than 250 countries that originally existed during the game’s extensive time span.
• Have more than a thousand historical leaders and over 4000 historical Monarchs at your disposal.
• Manage more than 100 individual unit troops to secure as much power as possible.
• Co-operative multiplayer mode allows several players to work together to controla single nation.
• Customize your game: Europa Universalis III gives you the chance to customizeand mod practically anything your heart may desire.Join the constantly growing and incredibly talented Paradox modding community!
]]> 01 Feb 2007 06:38:02 Eight Dots This game is in development. Will be released in late 2007. More information to come.
]]> 07 Feb 2007 12:36:31 Moon Base One What is the game?
The game is a persistent online world that will connect kids from around the country to participate in an educational experience.

Why create this game?
The purpose of creating the game is to infuse the younger generation with a passion for science and technology and to help give them knowledge of cutting edge science in a format that they are readily accustomed to and less resistant to like a text book.

Who is the game designed for, what is the target audience?
The target audience for Moon Base One is students from middle school to early high school. The game, however will appeal to people of all ages who are interested in space exploration and scientific discovery, which will attract players from both younger and older age groups.

Where does the game take place?
The game takes place on the first commercial moon base created on the moon in the near future. There will be planned expansions to the game taking players to different planets/moons such as Mars.

What do I control?
Players will control a newly arrived worker to the base who will assist in many tasks in order to facilitate in the smooth operation of the base.

How many characters do I control?
Players will initially control one character per account to save on storage space and allow for easier verification of accomplishments and medal awards.

What is the main focus?
The players’ goals will vary as the game matures and new content is added. Initially players will be able to solve missions gaining their avatar many customizations such as the ability to use various vehicles, and add cosmetic changes to their avatar such as external lights, different player skins, and additional equipment.

What is Different?
There are very few examples of persistent worlds that are used as an educational tool, in fact I cannot honestly think of any. There is a huge gap when it comes to educational software entertainment software. Its educational games are pretty much limited to games such as math blaster, which not only just appeals to a very young audience, but ceases to be marketed past its small target audience. Moon Base One will be revolutionary in that it will merge both real life and the virtual in that in game accomplishments can reward the player with certificates and medals. Players will also learn about cutting edge real world technology so that adults can feel comfortable with their kids playing the game and view it as educational software.
]]> 09 Apr 2007 06:41:15 Dark Skies Dark Skies, is currently in development, and is a major departure from other planetarium programs. This simulation is to be used for beginning to advanced astronomers by immersing the player in an accurate simulation of a night sky. Here, they can learn where the constellations are and how to star hop to planets, galaxies, and nebulae.

Ever since I joined my first Astronomy Club and went out under a dark desert sky, I was overwhelmed by how difficult it was to locate constellations since there were so many stars. In the city it is a lot easier to locate constellations since light pollution blocks out the fainter stars, but is also difficult because the lights block out objects I would be trying to find. The hardest thing about astronomy is that it takes practice to truly learn the sky and to take into account for weather conditions, light pollution, and general driving distances.

We decided to create Dark Skies so that astronomers could explore the stars and other objects that they have been wanting to locate before they leave home and make the 60 mile journey to observe.

This is an online multi-player 3D simulator designed with TGE + AFX and is planned for release on Windows, Mac, and Linux. The simulation will create a simulated star party where up to 16 players can join and select one of 3 models of telescopes such as refractors, newtonians, or cassegrains. Players are able to use the telescopes to locate objects and can step away from the instrument without losing the location so that other players can look through the scope and learn where these astronomical gems are located.

Dark Skies is intended for instructing, and for learning experiences at your comfort. Bob, your friendly ranger, will work along side of you to assure your progress and understanding of the mysterious dark sky above.
]]> 10 May 2007 09:45:44 tOrc An Fps with Orcs. You are an orc and must battle against the enemy Orc. The goal is to capture the most prized flag and return it to your base. With 3 weapons: the crossbow, the sword, and mines you battle to the death, and then some. When you become powerful and energized you gain access to your special, either Invisibility, Suicide Bomber, Flamethrower, and Agility.
]]> 16 May 2007 03:00:46 Silence Of The Terminals Silence Of The Terminals (SOTT) is an Educational Multiplayer FPS.

Hack, Crack and Blast!

Two teams fight for control of technology, by hacking into each others terminals and taking the Disc back to your base.

Hacking is done by questions, these can be about HTML, C++, Java or anything else. Either enforce question topics, or everyone to their own.

Get to the top of your technology tree first by hacking and capturing and you'll get more powerful weapons, energy, health and more...

This is an experimental educational game.

[img not valid]
]]> 29 Nov 2006 11:09:11 Maze Runner Advanced This is a game which you can make while reading The Game Programmer's Guide To Torque.

This is the alpha version of the game, containing polished art (by Canon of frogames) as well as an editor so you can make your own levels.

This game is available for Windows and OSX. Give it at try and if you enjoy playing it, consider checking out the book and other products make by me at the Hall Of Worlds Products Page. Also check out Canon's work over at frogames. They've got some great content packs for TGE and and upcoming game.
]]> 01 Dec 2006 10:41:22 Poker Pop A unique casual game that combines elements of world travel, strategic tile matching, and of course poker. Players play winning hands to travel from city to city in Japan, France, Australia, and more, avoiding perils along the way. Players are immersed in rich music and graphics representing each country visited, and learn some interesting facts about each location from a colorful postcard they get to send home at the end of every level.
]]> 07 Dec 2006 05:08:34 Chesspark Chesspark was created by chess lovers to bring chess to a wide audience of casual, club, and professional players. Our modern and easy to use interface makes use of the latest technologies for the Web as well as Instant Messaging in order to make online chess accessible to everyone, not just the elite players. However, those elite players will find features at Chesspark that are available no where else and made just for them.
]]> 07 Mar 2007 08:08:05 Arden: The World of William Shakespeare The Synthetic Worlds Initiative is constructing a synthetic world,
Arden, based on the works of William Shakespeare. When launched, Arden
will provide users with a fun experience that also immerses them in
the narrative, language, and culture of the world's greatest writer.
It will also serve as a laboratory for research on macro-level social
phenomena, and the impact of the technology on those who use it.
]]> 28 Mar 2007 12:04:19 Switched On Learning The organisation Switched on Learning provides resources for handicapped or disabled children in Australia. They have had some simple games produced to entertain and educate the children that attend workshops and play groups. These games are bright, two-dimensional games that test the many skills that the children can develop. However, there are little or no games designed for the older primary school students and some secondary students.

Objectives
gui-custom.jpg To fulfil the client’s desire, there are several approaches. A main game with smaller games branching out from it would make a suitable objective that could be accomplished. To create this, a game engine has been suggested as the basis to design and produce the final product. Each game will comply with the specifications of the client with some modifications that the client authorises. A story driven game following the level system provided by the client will encompass the main game. Research of the target audience increases the chance of a successful game. The combination of the research and the game creates a winning formula to finish the project and complete a successful game.

Game objectives for Level 1 and Level 2 of the Shopping Centre
Ground level is a simple exploration level where the player can explore the entire shopping centre with no objectives or missions. The shopping centre is mainly under construction at that point of the game. Some shops will be completely inaccessible to the player at the current time. The supermarket will be sealed off until level 3 where the player must follow the shopping list and buy all the items.

Level 1:
Objectives: Buy a stamp

Switched on Learning Switching Demo This level is to ease the player into completing objectives in an order. Of the stores open at the time there are two at which the stamp can be purchased a post office and a newsagency. In total, six shops should be open by level 1 with the player able to enter each store and have a conversation with the shop attendant. A security guard can help them if they get lost. Once the player enters the store, they must decide what was required to be purchased. Once they choose the correct item, the level ends and the player moves up to level 2.
Level 2:
Objectives: Buy a can of soup, a box of cereal and a packet of chips from the supermarket

Items: Shopping list, cash

Switched on Learning Switching Demo This is the final level of the game. Based in the supermarket that was initially sealed off, the player can now approach it and enter. They now must find and collect each item off the shopping list and head for the checkout. They must pay for the items, but they do have a choice to leave the store without paying. Several cues will be spoken to help jog their memory of what they should have done, each getting more obvious the longer the player stalls. The game ends when they leave the supermarket with paid goods.
]]> 13 Apr 2007 01:28:23 Snapshot Adventures: Secret of bird island Let me get this out of the way: I consider myself at times a pretty "hard-core" video gamer. I mean, I'm not adverse to hacking and slashing Orcs in fantasy role-playing games, such as World of Warcraft. I can shoot down enemy aliens in Halo 2 and drop nukes on unsuspecting enemies in Supreme Commander. I'm tough, and I'm proud of it. So when my trusty Gamezebo editor asked me to review a "bird watching" game, you can imagine my initial reaction...

OK, so call me what you will, but after playing Snapshot Adventures: Secret of Bird Island, I'm not only sold on the concept, but completely hooked.

At the start of the game you find out your grandfather -- a famous bird photographer and naturalist who went missing six months ago -- left you a shoebox with your name on it. Inside you find a map of the U.S., his beloved camera and a half-empty field journal that alludes to a mystery (and uses your real name in the cryptic passage, since you typed it in when you started playing!). And so you decide to visit his old friends and colleagues, beginning in Pennsylvania, to find clues leading to his disappearance as well as learn the craft of nature photography in the process.

In fact, you're asked to snap photos of birds for magazine covers and your field journal, and receive advice along the way. For example, you'll get more points for your photos if they're close-up, unobstructed and centered shots, and if the bird is orientated well, such as looking at the camera or caught in the act of singing, eating, flying or preening.

Game-play works as follows. After you get your mission, such as take five photos of a Blue Jay in-flight or three photos with quality of at least 3 stars, you're presented with a landscape such as a forest, parks or shoreline (while you're on a moving boat). You can move the mouse side-to-side to see even more of the environment. Your mouse cursor is now a magnifier, so as you move it around to see subjects to photograph, you will see a larger view of the bird when your mouse is placed over top of it. Take the photo by pressing the left-mouse button. If you've earned the zoom lens you can use your mouse's middle-scroll wheel to zoom in closer; other tools you can unlock for completing missions include an infrared scope, bird seed (to get them to eat), bird identifier (which tells you what kind of bird it is), a "Flight Stimulator" plane (to make birds fly), camera auto-winder, and more.

Bonus points are awarded at the end of the level for finding other species (such as a Baltimore Oriole or red-winged blackbird) within a predetermined amount of time (and only if you have film left).

Developed in collaboration with experts at Cornell University, this game features authentic-looking birds and animations, and realistic birdsongs. You can unlock additional birdsongs as a reward for taking good photos.

The big payoff is seeing your photos at the end of each level. You must choose between two side-by-side photos and once you do, the points are revealed for both so it's almost like a mini-game to choose the best one (and see if the game agrees!). You can see your best work as a cover of a magazine and in your field journal (which you can view at any time from the main menu) or with the click of a mouse you can email a photo to a friend right from within the game.

As you travel throughout the U.S. to photograph new birds, you will receive clues and other information that will eventually unravel this grand mystery.

A wonderful addition to Snapshot Adventures: Secret of Bird Island is an unlockable Bird Creator mode. With this clever in-game tool, you can create any bird you like. You begin with a basic shape -- such as an owl, gull, loon or hummingbird - then begin to tweak the wingspan, body size, beak length, eye style, field marks and color, and so on. Then you can name your bird (mine was called the Toronto Tailfeather), add other info if you like, and then upload to the Net for other gamers to download and photograph. I also downloaded close to 200 other custom-made birds to photograph in various locations.

As fun and unique this game is, there are a few faults. For one, it's far too easy to unlock the Bird Creator mode, which only took about 30 minutes or so. It would be a better dangling carrot if it took longer to achieve this bonus. Secondly, the feedback doesn't always match your performance; in one instance, a magazine editor told me "An excellent collection of new photographs!" yet I failed the mission and had to start it over again.

Even with these minor shortcomings, Snapshot Adventures: Secret of Bird Island may be the most refreshingly fun casual game of 2007. Seriously, yes, a bird photography game. But before you turn your beak up in disbelief, download this iWin game and give it a spin.

Written by: Marc Saltzman/Gamezebo
]]> 24 May 2007 05:48:53 jGL - OpenGL Abstraction Library A libray (DLL) to make easier the development using OpenGL.
Plus a spacial 3D simulator to test the library.
]]> 17 Jul 2007 09:54:13 Professor Fizzwizzle Professor Fizzwizzle is a fun, mind-expanding puzzle game, where you take control of the diminutive genius, Professor Fizzwizzle. You must help the professor use his brains and his gadgets to solve each exciting level. Do you have what it takes to get past the Rage-Bots and bring the prof back to his lab?

The game includes:

- Over 230 exciting levels, with something for everyone! "Regular" levels to help beginners learn the ropes, "Advanced" levels for the brainy among us, and even "Kids" and "Alphabet" levels for the young in years, or the young at heart!

- A full featured level editor! If solving puzzles isn't enough for you, make your own masterpiece with the easy-to-use level editor!

- Exciting unlockables! As you solve puzzles you'll earn photos to add to the professor's gallery. You'll see the professor and his Friend-Bots in photos from all over the world!

Professor Fizzwizzle has something for everyone to enjoy; download it for FREE, today!
]]> 27 Nov 2006 03:48:47 Game Biz 2 Go back in time to 1980, and see if you can make your mark in the up-and-coming "video game" business. Try and keep pace with the rapid changes in platforms (Atari 2600 or Colecovision? Apple II or Commodore 64? Mac or PC?) over the years, visit trade shows, hire and manage employees, build corporate headquarters, make deals with publishers, and build yourself into the future game development powerhouse!

Game Biz 2 is freeware.
]]> 09 Dec 2006 09:04:12 spin and spell Click on a picture, spin the wheel to spell the word, then submit it to see if you spelled it right. Spelling fun for everyone!
]]> 28 Dec 2006 12:37:29 Stratagus Stratagus was previously an open source project known as 'Freecraft', and its original purpose was to re-create the Warcraft 2 engine to the point of 100% playability. It succeeded in that goal and decided to move on towards other more challenging goals. Stratagus is now a general use open source engine that a large number of games have based themselves upon, such as Wargus, Battle of Survival, InsectWar, and more.
]]> 09 Jan 2007 04:48:39 Sudoku You will never get bored with this Sudoku game as it generates proper Sudoku puzzles randomly. On top of that, it provides two different gaming modes. In normal mode, you can play without the limitation of time. Plus, hints are available when you get stuck. On the other hand, the Time attack mode is very challenging. You must solve the puzzle in a limited time. However, you may get bonus time by giving correct answers. Of course, punishment will be given if you make wrong answers.

The game is also featured at eye-candy user-interface. In the near future, you will be able to change the theme as well as the background music.
]]> 06 Feb 2007 06:36:09 All About Animals This game was developed for the Alberta SPCA and is a quiz game for children to help them learn about animals.

Due to the fact that this game is maintained by the Alberta SPCA, it will only run from their page. (The game relies on an XML file that is edited on their server).
]]> 01 Mar 2007 04:05:16 The Guild 2 Story:
"Europe, 1400 A.D. - The last crusade, which started 6 years before,
ended in a horrible defeat when the crusaders failed to conquer Nikopolis before being reached by the armies of osmans and serbs. The dream of conquering Jerusalem is forgotten, and European authorities are well aware that over the coming centuries, they will be submerged into defending themselves against the osman forces, which have several outposts in
eastern Europe. The roman-catholic church is in a state of devestating
dispute and intrigue, and uprisings are clearly just around the corner.


Meanwhile, the old barriers between citizens and noblemen are crumbling. With dignity, good luck and wealth, even merchants and craftsmen are able to join the realms of power. A time has come where kings and leaders
depend on the gold of businessmen, and they are willing to pay the price...

This is the setting you will be faced with as you enter the medieval world in your struggle to build your very own dynasty!"

Features:
"Medieval life simulation with overwhelming 3D graphics Unique blend of RPG, strategy and business simulation
4 different character classes with specific abilities and advantages, from honest craftsman to fierce rogue...
10 different professions, including alchemist, smith and rogue, countless titles, elected positions and benefits form those Self-explaining and intuitive interface Huge and foolproof tutorial More than 150 minutes of orchestral soundtrack performed by the "Thüringen Philharmonie"
Exciting multiplayer mode for up to 8 players, online and LAN"

Short descript:

In an age rife with intrigues and battles, rise through the ranks of society from a mere crafter to the city's magistrate. Or choose the secret path of thievery to become a feared robber baron or pirate (with the mod/patch)
]]> 13 Mar 2007 06:06:23 Planter An example of what final projects in the Game Development 3 class that I teach at Brown College should be like. A single level of dodging jumping red bots, collecting power pickups and health packs, creating jump pads to grab floating orbs, and creating flowers. Somehow it actually is fun. Planter was created in three weeks.
]]> 21 Mar 2007 01:04:45 Great Britain Limited You're in charge of Great Britain now.
Make decisions on tax rates, expenditure and social spending to make a stable and prosperous country and, of course, win an election every five years.

Based on Great Britain Limited by Simon W Hessel 1982.
]]> 31 Mar 2007 04:56:02 Vocab Trainer
]]> 02 Aug 2007 08:32:27 Outback Adventure In Outback Adventure, players will experience a virtual Australian safari, exploring the Australian outback in search of some of Australia's rarest and most exotic endangered animals.
]]> 21 Nov 2006 10:07:57