Thinking Worlds Beta Trial

[Tami]

PRESS RELEASE
Caspian Learning Launch Beta Trial Of Its Thinking WorldsTM Serious Game Authoring Engine

* Free minimum six month global beta trial provides easy-to-use tool to develop games for use at school, at home or at work
* Tool harnesses engaging nature of games to improve learning
* Caspian to build online community of gamers at www.thinkingworlds.com


Sunderland, 22nd May 2006 - Caspian Learning, a pioneer of 3D learning based games applications, today launches Thinking Worlds™, an easy to use authoring engine that enables gamers to create, edit, play and share their own 3D learning based games, that teach and entertain. The engine is available for free download and trial at www.thinkingworlds.com

Thinking Worlds is targeted at game enthusiasts and learners. Gamers will be able to give game development a try, without having to shell out for expensive engines or have programming expertise. In addition, gamers that are also learners, will be able to use the tool to present projects and coursework in a unique way - a game!

Thinking Worlds allows gamers to become part of the Thinking Worlds community, a collaborative environment where users can develop and submit their own games, play and edit those developed by others and interact with each other on forums and chatrooms - kicking off debates on how to build and learn.

The use of “serious” games is becoming increasingly popular, with many educators and businesses using the immersive world of video games to teach and train. Thinking Worlds isn't a Tomb Raider - its a great tool that drives serious gaming, but with a bit of fun!

To make it easy for users to get started, Caspian is making a suite of worlds and characters from over 25 of its well known educational games available to edit, play and share with others. All environments and interactions are highly customisable - the user will even be able to record and import their own voices and movie files into the games.

Simon Bradford, Senior Lecturer in Education at Brunel University says: “Computer games have a potentially vital role to play in the education and development of young people. When learning and video games are combined, we develop games that not only educate their users but also entertain them at the same time.”

“Taking part in the Thinking Worlds beta trial will provide all users with an opportunity to become part of a global community of creators, learners and sharers of unique, engaging learning applications. In addition, users will be able to help Caspian shape the overall Thinking Worlds experience by providing feedback and suggested improvements to the beta version of the software. As our community grows, we will see learning transformed,” comments Chris Brannigan, CEO of Caspian Learning.

Thinking Worlds In Action

First to use the authoring tool was a group of 14 and 15-year-old students from Sunderland CLC. The children chose to create a game that dealt with bullying during the transition from primary to secondary school. The application has been so successful that it will be rolled out to 110 Primary and Secondary schools in Sunderland this month.

Andy Williams, Centre Manager, Sunderland CLC says: “The impact that this project has had on the children can not be underestimated. Thinking Worlds has enabled children to develop applications for children that are innovative, inspiring and most importantly, help them to learn.”

Chris Brannigan will be giving a presentation on design approaches in learning based games, making reference to Thinking Worlds, at Apply Serious Games, the UK’s first conference dedicated to the emerging serious games market in London on 25th May 06. www.applyseriousgames.com