LearningSoft Corp. today announced Gamebrain X-treme, a new adventure game for kids ages 9 to 13. The company says that the new game combines learning with high-action, arcade-style games and an episodic adventure that unfolds over time.
In Gamebrain X-treme, players adopt an alter ego, and must assist a robot named C.H.I.P. to eliminate an alien race called Brain Drainers. Players are lead through a 3D isometric world and communicate with C.H.I.P. in real time. Players must collect special items to gain access to new levels of game play. Players must demonstrate and learn skills involving vocabulary, grammar, math, science, civics, history and geography to win and move on to the next mission.
The game also involves online components. Players can e-mail and chat with each other, and new worlds will be added periodically to the Gamebrain universe, as well. Parents can have progress reports e-mailed to them also.
In between educational content, players explore one of five different worlds (with more available over time), each featuring unique attributes. Players collect points while executing missions and playing games; they redeem their earned brain points for 3D games and other online activities as well.
LearningSoft said that Gamebrain X-treme utilizes “Learningtrac,” the company’s adaptive learning technology which adjusts game difficulty to match each child’s skill level. LearningTrac also prepares reports that can provide parents with information about their kids’ academic progress. The company said that the curriculum upon which the game is based was prepared by educators and is based on state and national education standards.
Gamebrain X-treme will require a PowerPC-based Mac operating at 233 MHz or faster, Mac OS 8.1 or later, 32MB RAM or more, 45MB HD space, CD-ROM drive, 256 color display, 56K modem or faster, Internet browser and Internet access. The game is due in stores this October on hybrid CD-ROM, and will carry a suggested retail price of US$29. The title includes a one-year game subscription.