My video game project continues!

Andrew (Television Executive)

(This is the project in which I am supplying video games to two young kids with different developmental needs and abilities. For details, see: https://retro.social/@ajroach42/113243981159357458 )

Andrew (Television Executive)

We have a new goal!

The older of the two kids cannot read well. This is not surprising. He's not motivated to learn to read more effectively, and there have been other more pressing educational (and safety) goals until very recently.

But now, reading skills are absolutely the most vital thing for him to learn, and learning to read well is going to be critical to the rest of his life.

But he doesn't *want* to learn to read, he just knows that he needs to.

So we have to get creative.

We don't want games that teach you how to read (well, no. We do! but we already have some of those. They're a great tool, and he is using them, but they are a tool, not a motivation) we want games that will Motivate him to learn to read.

(see next post for general details, if you're going to boost one of these make it that one.)

Andrew (Television Executive)

I'm looking for suggestions for video games that are slow paced, not violent, Very Compelling, and reward reading.

Games that are impossible to play if you can't read are fine. Games that are just easier if you do read are also fine.

We're looking to use these games to help a kid who is struggling to read find motivation.

Right now, my only thoughts are:
- Harvest Moon (this kid in particular loves farming)
- Pokemon (fire red, probably)

But I'm certain that there are other games which would fit the bill. Demanding some reading, or at least heavily encouraging/rewarding it.

Jason Lefkowitz

@ajroach42 This might seem a little out of left field, but: Inkle’s 80 Days.

https://www.inklestudios.com/80days/

Marsh Ray

@ajroach42 On tablets there’s
Banner Saga
King of Dragon Pass

Both have viking quest storylines and sword fights.

Andrew (Television Executive)

@marshray tablets are, for various reasons, entirely off the menu at the moment.

Irenes (many)

@ajroach42 @marshray since King of Dragon Pass is a modern port of a game from the 32-bit Mac days, it's also possible to run the original version in an emulator... but that might be too much setup to be usable for this scenario, dunno

Jason Lefkowitz

@ireneista @ajroach42 @marshray If you want something like King of Dragon Pass but ready to run on modern hardware there’s the Six Ages series, KoDP’s spiritual successor.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/881420/Six_Ages_Ride_Like_the_Wind/