Educational Games Teach Important Lessons
Think Breakfast! is the New York State Education Department's campaign to teach kids about the importance of eating breakfast and making good food choices. Each year, FutureMedia teams up with Imagine That Marketing & Communications to develop an educational CD-ROM game that teachers use in the classroom or send home with students. This year the campaign also included an iOS game (for iPhones, iPod Touches, and iPads), and several games for the campaign's new website.
A Comprehensive Campaign
By producing different games in a variety of media, NYSED can tailor experiences for different demographics within their large target audience. Traditionally the games have targeted only elementary school children - but there is a big difference between a kindergartner and a sixth grader. And none of the previous years had targeted junior high or high school kids. This year all of that changed.
Reaching Multiple Audiences
This year's campaign had something for everyone. The CD-ROM game is an enjoyable experience not just for the youngest elementary-aged children, but also for older students. These players will find challenging gameplay options that make game play more rewarding. The first-ever iPhone/iPad game targets high school students, but is also appropriate for middle schoolers. And finally, a set of web-only games were launched, including games for both younger and older elementary school students.
Fun With An Important Message
There are opportunities throughout all of the games for direct educational messages. For example, in the Contraptions! game, each food item that pops up has an accompanying description, which explains what makes that food a healthy — or less than healthy — choice.
Importance of Mobile Media
The need for smartphone marketing is growing. According to IDC, shipments of mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, etc.) will outnumber shipments of PCs within the next 18 months. And according to CNET and other sources:
- More than 180 million iPhone OS devices have been sold as of February 2011.
- There have been 10 billion iPhone iOS apps downloaded to date.
- IDC predicts there will be more than 25 billion mobile apps downloaded in 2011.
- Gartner estimates that by the end of 2010, 1.2 billion people will be carrying smartphones, tablets, and similar mobile devices.
- Gartner also projects that tablet sales (led by Apple's iPad) will top 55 million units next year — triple the 2010 numbers.
It is quickly becoming essential to have a high quality, mobile component in all marketing, communications, training and educational initiatives.
Check out the Think Breakfast! Contraptions game now!
Check out Breakfast Bash! for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch!
Contact FutureMedia today for more information about custom development for the Web, and for iPhones, iPads and other mobile devices!
