LeapFrog Announces Web Connected Learning Handhelds

Wow! They are aimed at 4-8 year olds.

Excerpt from Gamasutra:

Technology-based learning company LeapFrog has announced two new web-connected video game systems for kids' educational needs: The Leapster2 Learning Game System and the Didj Custom Gaming System.

The Leapster2 Learning Game System allows online gameplay with learning-based activities and rewards aimed to allow parents to see what their child is learning. The Didj Custom Gaming System connects gameplay with schoolwork online, allowing grade-schoolers to customize the game with spelling lists, math problems and more.

Link to full article

Retirees find Wii not just for the grandkids

LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) -- Until two weeks ago, Ruth Ebert never had the slightest interest in the video games favored by her one and only granddaughter.

"I'm 82 years old, so I missed that part of our culture. Soap operas, yes. Video games, no," chirped Ebert, who recently started playing a tennis game on Nintendo Co. Ltd.'s new Wii video game console at the Virginia retirement community she calls home.

CNN report

Interesting article on videogame accessibility

KQED QUEST has an interesting article on videogame accessibility, including game accessibility advancements shown at GDC.

Fitness Experts Endorse Wii For Health Benefits

The International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) has released results of a new survey into exercise and video games, finding that technologies such as Nintendo's Wii "may prove to be just what fitness experts are looking for to help their clients get more active".

More on this article

Native Dancer - Virtual Powwows for Health

Excerpt from Water Cooler games

Water Cooler
NDSU

Like many disadvantaged populations, Native Americans are particularly at risk for Type 2 adult-onset diabetes. The game addresses exercise through multi-user virtual pow-wows. The game is (smartly, I think) set up a regular event at scheduled times. Players learn about and participate in native dancing, outfits and regalia. Performances are judged based on how closely they conform to motion-tracked professionals.

40 ways to be a better (game) designer

Raph Koster (author of A Theory of Fun) made a blog entry that describes 40 ways to be a better (game) designer. It's a good read.

Retro Remakes Game Compo

The Retro Remakes is a competition to bring classic games to the new generation by reintroducing classic gameplay, with specific emphasis on accessibility. The gist of the compo is:

Good remakes of good games that anyone can play, regardless of their ability.

One cool thing about this competition is that they have secured an accessibility advisor to assist all entrants in making their games accessible, which I think is a brilliant move.

The compo covers two months, and there are quite a boatload of prizes.