Those of you with long enough memories to recall the dawn of CD ROMs may well have got to know Arthur’s Teacher Trouble (and subsequently Arthur’s Birthday) by Broderbund. As children’s interactive storybooks, these titles set standards of animation and interactivity rarely surpassed even today. They featured the now (thanks to the children’s television series) familiar face of the bespectacled aardvark Arthur, a character that first saw the light of day all of 25 years ago in Marc Brown’s best-selling books.
While the characters remain the same, it is now The Learning Company who are responsible for the latest series of three CD ROM adventures featuring Arthur and his chums. Aimed at the three to seven year olds, instead of the highlighted text and hidden hotspots of the interactive storybook genre, the latest releases are traditional adventure games. Children are invited to accompany Arthur and his entourage on a camping trip and, as they climb virtual mountains and trek though virtual woods, they search for things needed for a successful holiday. The group leader, Mr. Ratburn, has an unfortunate accident and it’s up to Arthur and his chums to save the day by searching for clues and solving problems. Along the way, and in the face of a variety of difficulties like stolen food and a broken radio, children have to use their powers of reasoning and physical dexterity to plan a route out of the wilderness. As with all such simulations, the decisions taken have a direct outcome on their progress.
The activities include: erecting a tent by snapping a colour coordinated tent frame into place, collecting essential items necessary for the repair of the radio and negotiating a raging river on a log. As the campers proceed they are encouraged to explore their environment. They can view (and print as required) an interactive nature notebook that describes over 40 hidden surprises, including wildlife and wild flowers. If they find them all they can earn a ‘Junior Range’r certificate.
Graphics and presentation are first class — as we have come to expect from The Learning Company — and I have no doubt that Arthur fans, in particular, will enjoy taking part in a camping trip to remember, again and again.
Adventure games are most effectively employed by groups (two or three is probably best), rather than individually. The benefits of programs like these derive primarily from the shared experience of problem-solving, constructing strategies and team membership.
Specs
- Arthur’s Camping Adventure is a program that will be enjoyed by groups of children of similar age (both at home or at school), or which would be equally beneficial when shared by child and parents. It has lots to see and do, plenty of challenges and, although clearly US-biased, a great deal to offer in terms of developing awareness of the great outdoors and what lives there.
- Price: £19.99
- Contact: Diskovery +353 (0)1-873 2822
- Rating: 65%
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