If your kids are at the age where learning the names of states, capitals, and national landmarks is important, you may want to consider Swamp Gas as an aid to helping them learn and be entertained all at the same time. Swamp Gas, by Inline Design, is an alien adventure program which lets up to 4 players cruise in their own spaceship across the USA trying to complete their missions. The missions range from 5-50 locations and can also be done in beginner, intermediate, or advanced levels.
In the intermediate and advanced levels you are occasionally stopped by some oddball force (i.e. a skunk entering your spaceship) and then asked random questions about the US. Other than that your goal is to attempt to get to all the locations given in your “assignment” as rapidly as possible (bonus points are earned the faster you accomplish your mission). To get to each state you simply follow certain paths drawn out on the map. You are also allowed 2 “warps” per game which let you drop in on any state you select.
Once the mission is accomplished the players are invited to quit or enter the alien arcade, where they can choose from playing three different games. My favorite (and the favorite of my two young testing assistants) was Nerdoids. Here you get to launch comic books at slug-like creatures who yelp “oh boy!” after every successful hit with a book. The higher the levels in the arcade games the more Nerdoids, Stink Snakes, or Quasar Klutzes that zoom across the screen hurling assorted goodies down at your launcher.
The sounds are the hit of the program and are especially humorous in the arcade games. I ran the program on both a Mac IIsi with a high resolution color monitor and a Mac Classic, and needless to say the graphics varied greatly. The color really enhances the program and unfortunately made playing the game on the Classic like watching “Dances with Wolves” on a black and white TV—you get the idea and the sound, but it loses so much.
From a parental standpoint, the best move the company made was not allowing entry into the alien arcade until a mission is completed. Therefore, the company has stressed the educational value of the program and not the entertainment. Learning takes precedence here and that should be an important factor for any parent looking to help their kids become educated using a computer.
Installation of the game is as simple as the instructional booklet that comes with the game. Anyone who is familiar with a mac should have no problem getting Swamp Gas up and running quickly. And judging from the two 8-9 year olds I had play with the game, you don’t even need to read the booklet.
Amy Swindle, my 9-year-old testee, gave me a classic letter “reviewing” Swamp Gas for me. Her best line was the last one which simply stated “I would like for every kid in the world to have Swamp Gas.” I’m sure the folks at Inline would like that as well; unfortunately I think they will have to settle for the lucky few who have parents concerned enough to give their kids some educational tools that are also fun to use.
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