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Thinking about writing a book... Need something for it.

PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 9:46 am
by Speedemon
A while ago I was thinking about writing a book. Something aimed at 3-6 graders. I thought I would call it 10 Video Games That Strengthen Your Brain!\

But I don't know about many games that would do that, so I need your help!
If there is a game that you think would make you think, please say what the game is!

But I have some rules:
    - The game cannot have any violence or mature content.
    - The game cannot be at an extremely high price ( 80+ Canadian Dollars)
    - The game should be interesting, and have lots to explore in the game

Games I have already:
    - Automation (Of course :))
    - Kerbal Space Program
    - Minecraft
    - Portal 1/2

Re: Thinking about writing a book... Need something for it.

PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 10:24 am
by strop
Are you interested in any particular demographic other than 3-6 grade? And are you interested in any specific kind of brain training or just in general?

I wonder if The Incredible Machine is still around. Man that was the bomb... That is to say I have a bunch of retro options if that's appropriate. Most of them would be abandonware too :P

I also have an MMO option that's probably geared 99% towards girls of that age group, but MMO, is that within your scope?

Re: Thinking about writing a book... Need something for it.

PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 10:33 am
by Speedemon
Any kind of game that would make your brain think, if it is MMO or Singleplayer, but I think it would have to be appealing to both genders.

Re: Thinking about writing a book... Need something for it.

PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 10:42 am
by Microwave
Add Portal 1/2 to that list, possibly even Garry's Mod.

Re: Thinking about writing a book... Need something for it.

PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 3:34 pm
by UMGaming
Universe sandbox 2?

Edit: you will learn stuff from the game while having fun messing up the solar system

Re: Thinking about writing a book... Need something for it.

PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 3:36 pm
by Vri404
Was about to say This War of Mine, but then I remembered that you don't want to ruin these children.

Maybe RTC:3?

Re: Thinking about writing a book... Need something for it.

PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 6:29 pm
by Sayonara
RCT2 is probably the better game, but it's a bit inaccessible due to age.

My recommendations:

Sid Meier's Civilization V;
Cities: Skylines;
Auditorium, Fractal, Pulse, Splice - essentially every game released by Cipher Prime Studios.

I would suggest SpaceChem, but I'm not sure it's appropriate due to difficulty.

Re: Thinking about writing a book... Need something for it.

PostPosted: Sun Jan 17, 2016 12:49 am
by koolkei
i have a few. that i might categorize into 'easy' and 'hard'

easy:
big pharma
infiniFactory
human resource machine (easy-ish. the concept is easy, the first 30% is easy, i don't think even i could finish that game without breaking at least my own computer. and brain)

hard:
PolyBridge
factorio

not sure:
scribblenauts
Civilization series or other turn-based strategy games in general


and im actually not sure as to how automation is actually an educating game......
edit:
well if you consider it that way. i guess it is an educating game, just in a specific criteria.

Re: Thinking about writing a book... Need something for it.

PostPosted: Sun Jan 17, 2016 1:14 am
by Speedemon
koolkei wrote:and im actually not sure as to how automation is actually an educating game......


Automation is educating because if you are a newbie to the car world which some kids might be, Automation can teach you about different things like reliability, power, economy, aerodynamics, grip, handling, price, and all other sorts of things!

Re: Thinking about writing a book... Need something for it.

PostPosted: Sun Jan 17, 2016 3:39 am
by Microwave
Automation was able to teach me the basics of mechanical things and allowed me to further develop my knowledge, I'd say it's a pretty educational game.

Re: Thinking about writing a book... Need something for it.

PostPosted: Sun Jan 17, 2016 4:13 am
by adamd
It's getting on now but I got Gran Turismo 1 when I was about 5. Admittedly a bit younger but weirdly it helped me with maths with bigger numbers (credits), there's probably still a lot of useful engineering stuff to be learned about from it as well.

Re: Thinking about writing a book... Need something for it.

PostPosted: Sun Jan 17, 2016 6:44 am
by nialloftara
Showing my age here but the early sim games like SimEarth and SimAnt are fun ways to introduce kids to their subject matter (geological progression and evolution for the one, and the little microworlds that take place even in their own back yard.)

Re: Thinking about writing a book... Need something for it.

PostPosted: Sun Jan 17, 2016 2:42 pm
by Spitfire599
Roblox. All I'm sayin'.

Re: Thinking about writing a book... Need something for it.

PostPosted: Sun Jan 17, 2016 2:51 pm
by Vri404
Spitfire599 wrote:Roblox. All I'm sayin'.


Very True, despite my hate for the game, *insert He has a point Meme*

Re: Thinking about writing a book... Need something for it.

PostPosted: Sun Jan 17, 2016 3:17 pm
by strop
Omg SimAnt was the bomb. I used to be addicted to it.