Topic: A Third Party finally get's non-gaming right: Ubisoft's Word Coach (I'm soooo getting it!)

[Kairon]

If I wasn't already lenient on Ubisoft (Rayman and Red Steel were understandable rush jobs, and I actually had a bunch of FUN with Far Cry!), I'd be inclined to forgive 'em now. They are the first third party who, to me, have struck upon a way to do non-gaming right.

I mean, Nintendo's got Brain Age (two of 'em!) and Nintendogs, but third parties have generally been fumbling in the non-gaming arena, thinking that mindless ports would be worth our while: Brain Age rip-offs? No thank you! Dogz, Catz, Horsez? Well.... Hamsterz maybe but... ARGH! Get an original, NEW idea for once.

And no EA, "Playground" does NOT count if it looks like the sort of 3D early 90's freakish nightmare the first screens suggest.

But when IGN unvealed Word Coach for the Wii (also for DS), I instantly knew that this was my most anticipated game of the late summer. (What can I say? I never beat either Prime game, just watched my younger bro do it for me) Finally someone ASIDE from Nintendo had created a non-gamer game to die for!

Haven't heard of Word Coach? If you're too lazy to click the link, here's the gist of it: It's a vocabulary/spelling training game. Awesome no?

Imagine brain age, but with mini-tasks specifically designed to teach you new words and increase your literacy. LITERACY TRAINING! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

Imagine a complete breakdown everyday of words you'd gone over and their definitions!
Imagine your Expression Potential (EP) instead of your brain age, and being ranked a Poet if you score over 95!
Imagine using the Wiimote (or DS Screen) to fill in the missing letters in words, or correcting deliberately misspelled words!!
Imagine being given a definition, and being asked to match the proper word!!!
Imagine using the DS to write the letter ON YOUR WII GAME WITHOUT NEEDING THE DS VERSION!!!!
Imagine multiplayer for ALL OF THE ABOVE!!!!!
Imagine that there's waaay more being hidden to be revealed later!

I remember reading somewhere that this game was aimed at August/September, and I've got the itch to slap down a pre-order/sell my soul at the local EB.

I mean, this has serious potential. Parents can buy it for their kids to improve their literacy. Teens can prep for the SATS. My younger brother can stop reading the dictionary before he goes to sleep. It could do some cross-promotional stuff with a DVD of "Akeelah & the Bee."

[that Baby guy]

DAAAAAA!  BUNNIES can't read.

I want this games too.

[Requiem]

If anything, I'd want this game to teach me how to express better than to have fun.

[Strell]

If anyone in the world needs to learn how to spell some f*cking words, it's the gamer hardcore/interweb crowd.

[Kairon]

Quote
Originally posted by: Strell
If anyone in the world needs to learn how to spell some f*cking words, it's Kairon's roommate

Fixed. Seriously, he's HORRIBLE at spelling despite having taken AP English and somehow passing! He's sorta bright, but he's so gosh darned intelectually LAZY!!!

[IceCold]

marketting
marketting
marketting
marketting

[Ceric]

Around here we are much better with words and alliteration.

Actually I really hope they have the game where you spell other words with the letters in the given word.

[SixthAngel]

I am glad games like this are being made again.  Whenever I hear about stuff like this I think about Wordmuncher, it was fun and educational.  Educational and helpful games should never have been pushed aside and I am glad companies are realizing it.

[that Baby guy]

Math Munchers > Word Munchers

[Kairon]

If they release Oregon Trail and Zoombinis on the Wii I'll be in heaven.

[Khushrenada]

Quote
Originally posted by: Kairon

Quote
Originally posted by: Strell
If anyone in the world needs to learn how to spell some f*cking words, it's Kairon's roommate

Fixed. Seriously, he's HORRIBLE at spelling despite having taken AP English and somehow passing! He's sorta bright, but he's so gosh darned intelectually LAZY!!!

*Italics and emphasis mine.

Ohhh, the irony. Quoted for the irony. Won't someone please admit they see the irony also.



And isn't this supposed to be Wandering's job? Promoting Ubisoft prodocts? Or did you take away his job? Or is that Kairon is a dupe account of Wandering's that he has slowly been working at to make the dupe account seem like a real person so that he and this "Kairon" can then discuss Ubisoft products while making it seem like it is just two regular forum goers having a regular discussion and thereby market Ubisoft products to unsuspecting forum goers?!

This is a warning. Khushrenada is on to you.

Buy Atlus.

 

[Kairon]

Did Wandering PLAY and LOVE Far Cry? I don't think so. Take your forum-rearrangement-complaints elsewhere Khushie, and let us pros do our work. &P

[Requiem]

Quote
Originally posted by: Ceric
Around here we are much better with words and alliteration.

Actually I really hope they have the game where you spell other words with the letters in the given word.

Oh damn! I love that game!

Use to play it with some friends when we were waiting for something.

[Ceric]

Hey, Khush tell Atlus they sell more game with larger runs.

I to love that game.

[couchmonkey]

I have basically no interest in this, but I agree that it's a good example of the third parties getting it right for a change.

[IceCold]

Boggle?

newcombers
newcombers
newcombers
newcombers

[WuTangTurtle]

Quote
Originally posted by: Ceric
Hey, Khush tell Atlus they sell more game with larger runs.

I to love that game.

Time to start a petition!

[Adrock]

I have a piece of paper from a 4-year university that says I learned things and I spent a lot of money to get it. Ok, I borrowed that money. If all that time and effort didn't improve my literacy, nothing will.  

[Khushrenada]

Quote
Originally posted by: WuTangTurtle

Quote
Originally posted by: Ceric
Hey, Khush tell Atlus they sell more game with larger runs.

I to love that game.

Time to start a petition!

I keep telling Atlus this myself but alas, I am but one small cog in the mighty Atlus juggernaut.

Although, the best way to petition Atlus is to buy as many games from them as you can. This will send a strong message that you gamers want Atlus products and then Atlus will create bigger runs in order to meet this growing demand. So, let's all go to the store and start our "petitions" now.

(Wow. I'd make a good shill.)

In a more serious note, Kairon said this to me:

Quote
Take your forum-rearrangement-complaints elsewhere Khushie, and let us pros do our work. &P

I wasn't complaining about the forums. Frankly, I think the re-arrangement is just fine. And once Windy finally admits the recount shows I am a staff member, I'm going to push for more forum arrangments. I think everything should just be combined into one topic with a catchy name like... I don't know....like Khushrenada's Kingdom. Now you all have something to look forward.

But really, all I did was point out that when you mocked your friend and called his spelling lazy, you misspelled a word also. The irony. I don't why you got so defensive. Unless....... Unless you don't have a friend and this "friend " you were referring to was really yourself! Kairon EXPOSED!!!  

[Dirk Temporo]

Honestly, I think this "non-game" is a good idea for many people, especially those who are learning English as a second language. I get the feeling this game is going to be huge in Japan.