Retailers' bottomless hunger for Star Wars: Episode I games will be partially fulfilled when LucasArts Entertainment serves up some new morsels for the children's software market.
Lucas Learning division showed three children's software titles at the Electronic Entertainment Expo here this week: Star Wars Episode I,The Gungan Frontier, Pit Droids, and Yoda's Challenge, a title for younger children. All are due this year for the PC and Macintosh at expected street prices of $29.99.
"These are learning games for kids that use some educational components," said a spokesman for Lucas Learning. "That's what this company is about. It's not educational software."
The Gungan Frontier, which hits shelves next week, is a simulation game that teaches simple ecology to kids ages 6 to 8. Players must build an ecosystem while managing ratios of herbivores, carnivores, and plant life.
Pit Droids poses puzzles that incorporate what Lucas calls "math logic skills." Kids ages 10 to 14 are charged with building or solving a maze, for example. Players can also swap puzzles via e-mail. It's due Sept. 15.
Yoda's Challenge is an activity center aimed at children ages 6 to 8. Star Wars scenarios reinforce principles such as pattern recognition. In a cantina scene, for example, kids must match a sequence of notes played by an alien band. Striking a correct note causes a musician to play his instrument along with the child. The title is scheduled to ship on Aug. 15.
