Involving Kids In Free Software Through Games

SynrG writes "Platinum Arts Sandbox puts into childrens' hands the ability to role play in a 3D world and edit that world using simplified controls. The expressions on the faces of our kids as they played were priceless; both the ups and the downs. I wanted to capture this on video and share it. After having established a rapport with upstream, we took a 20 minute clip of one of our play sessions and gave a copy to them to use to help further their work. Here is the edited result. They were very pleased to have that kind of feedback and found the video valuable for determining where the software still needed improvement and to notice which aspects particularly pleased the children."

Re:How about a better summary?

[Anonymous Coward]

I recommend reading this page:
http://kids.platinumarts.net/what-is-sandbox.html

And check out this tutorial video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g44Ww2bg2_E

Take care!!

Information Regarding Platinum Arts Sandbox

[calimer]

I would first like to point out that this was the original news title: Free 3D Game Maker Gets Kids Involved Through Play The new one seems to be a bit misleading. The goal of Platinum Arts Sandbox is so that kids and adults can quickly and easily create their own video games and 3D worlds. The software is free and open source. I recommend watching the tutorial video to see how the in game editing works: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g44Ww2bg2_E [youtube.com] I have used Sandbox to teach a HS afterschool club, at a Middle School, a kids summer camp over 3 weeks with about 60 kids, with my college students, etc. Also many other teachers from around the world are using it. In addition it has been featured at various conferences and included in a software package that goes out to 500 German schools. In addition it has been voted one of the top 100 projects of 2008 at moddb out of over 5k, and waiting on voting to see if it makes it in the top 5. In my classes kids have learned to design levels, model, script, code including adding their own monsters, and how to use SVN. Kids as young as six have had work submitted. To learn more about its specific features you can go here: http://kids.platinumarts.net/what-is-sandbox.html [platinumarts.net] I think what SynrG has done with his kids is extremely valuable. They are learning new ways to express their imaginations, create stories through roleplaying, learn game design, and more. The next step is teaching them how to use scripting to make quests. I think a big mistake aspiring game developers make is not seeking out game developers and the proper communication channels. This is something I really try to hit home with my students. You can gain so much insight about the software, and also about the developers themselves and their experiences. And generally with free software there is a much greater chance to get in contact with these individuals, whereas with commercial products contact is much more limited, if you get any responses at all. And this way the kids get to learn the ins and outs from the developers themselves. Communication and being able to express yourself in general is a really important skill to learn, especially as an aspiring developer and these kids are getting a great opportunity to start early. As a note to the guy that was worried it might get "ripped away" that isn't going to happen. I started this project for elementary kids in my afterschool program and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon :) Also to the person that suggested that this could get people into modding, such as NWN. Why would you do that? You're going from a project that has everything completely open down to the engine source and SVN, to a closed source project where you're lucky to even get much game code. I think if you can start with a good standalone that is a much better experience. Take care and enjoy the software! -mike