Question of the Day, August 24, 2010

[Colonel Alzheimer's]

Bioshock for any kind of philosophy/political science kind of class. Bioshock would actually be helpful for philosophy in many ways, like how we interpret beauty, the failure of government, etc.
Assassin's Creed 1 and 2 teach about the Crusades and the Renaissance. Creed 2 is actually a surprisingly accurate telling of the Renaissance, other than Ezio and all the conspiracy theory stuff.
Portal for a physics class or a philosophy class about free will.
Civ games for history.
Maybe Fallout for a Cold War kind of course. Maybe.
Medal of Honor might be implemented in a course about Afghanistan in the future.

 

[Knifewounds]

Other(silent hill 2) Breaking down and analyzing the story of this game would be a great help for people in the psychology classes.

 

[Obrien Xp]

Civilization and the Total War series.

Total war is the closest thing to historical accuracy that a game can get while being fun.

This is false - Though I would recommend checking out the Europa Barbarorum total conversion mod if you'd like something other than an unrealistic comic-book experience from your Rome: Total War game.


Also for analysis practice I suppose Silent Hill 2 would be the best choice if the students are required to learn to analyze an interactive medium.

Should probably have specified that mods make the game more accurate. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[laststandman]

Portal for a physics class or a philosophy class about free will.

I believe I recommended this to my physics teacher. He said he would take his cooper mini to the store and get it, but all he came back with was WALL-E.

 

[kingcom]

Deus Ex

 

[Anacortian]

Civilization!

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

Tetris. You all know it to be true.

 

[RichardThompson]

Perhaps Ico, but it seems like a relatively drole idea to me. The only reason I enjoy games is that it gives me a chance to unwind, if I have to do that for school isn't the concept somewhat undermining?
Though in fairness, it would be a damnside more useful than "Careers".

 

[rekabdarb]

Braid would be good for a problem solving class, like logic or something. Use your brain to figure out the objective and then complete it -1 point for each death (100 point project) Shit could make it into an in class assignment, get all the laptops (or 360's whatever platform it's on) hooked up to the projector and be like "this guy's in first, catch up"

 

[D4rkLigh7]

Fallout to prepare the kid for the up coming nuclear Apocalypse.

 

[Rickyvantof]

Starcraft 2.

 

[MrPatience]

It has to be 'Majora's Mask'.

It's incredibly accessible, while still very deep, there is a multitude of themes evident in the various relationships between npc's and the non-linear gameplay, namely the fixed schedule for the game world with the ability to travel backwards and forwards through time in it, would be perfect for exploring the subtleties of the games design on purpose.

 

[liveslowdiefast]

fallout, a class on the 50's nucualar cold war paranoia.

 

[The_ModeRazor]

I have a feeling that quite a few said it already, but Planescape Torment would be pretty good for this. Good story and stuff, and makes ya think. Also makes you hate authority

 

[SuccessAndBiscuts]

cooper mini

I have never, in my entire life seen those words in that order. You have some explaining to do, that or the original italian job to watch.

Anyway, I voted "other" but I'm not really sure what I think could be used. As a medium I don't think games are quite there yet, they are getting there certainly but I can't think of anything that you could make a good/interesting lesson out of.

 

[Jamous]

Probably something like Tomb Raider - Some of the puzzles in that are MADDENING.

 

[Species5618]

The "Civilization" series.

Frankly, i cant imagine why this wasnt part of the original poll.

 

[kommunizt kat]

Spore to teach about the theory of evolution and (directed? the player did it)Panspermia.