Notes

This is not a Brand new Project

Over on Kickstarter, astrophysicist and science communicator Neil deGrasse Tyson has a crowdfunding campaign running with the aim of funding a special kind of computer game. "Space Odyssey" is the name and the team behind it aims to create a game which is fun to play while simultaneously educational about physics, biology and space.



While they construct their own machines, players will discover the design of vehicle and robots. They'll explore other worlds in an open-world "sandbox" setting. Some may even have lives. A player might take a ride on the ship through an asteroid belt, or creating the next-generation robot capable mining comets for valuable resources. The team is planning to integrate virtual reality experiences in addition and put players at the center of the action. Neil deGrasse Tyson is joined by Loretta Falcone (rocket scientist), Janna Levin (cosmologist), Charles Liu (astrophysicist), Carolyn Porco (planetary scientist), Amy Mainzer (astronomer), Mike Massimino (science communicator) and Bill Nye (science communicator). He has also invited authors like Neil Gaiman, Larry Niven, Peter Beagle and George R. John fladung R. Martin to join him on the creative world-building side. A host of other writers, artists and scientists, game designers and other notable individuals in the scientific and creative fields are contributing to the project.



Although this is a new project, it's not the first computer game that is educational in nature. From classics such as "Oregon Trail" to modified builds of the well-known game "Minecraft," game designers and educators have long recognized the benefits of teaching through games. Tyson's game, which's full title is "Neil deGrasse Tyson Presents Space Odyssey – The Video Game", is a bold and exciting game.



The goal of crowdfunding $314,159 (a not a lot until you consider the number pi) will end on Saturday, July 29. The project's administrators acknowledge that the funds will only be a small part of the Whatnot Entertainment's efforts to help make "Space Odyssey" possible. If all goes as planned, you might soon be able to explore the world from the comfort of your sofa.



This is the most interesting thing about it: Neil deGrasse Tyson spoke with Stuff You Should Know on the HowStuffWorks podcast. He said that he wants to increase global education in order to increase the odds that human culture will produce "another Einstein."


Here's my website: https://johnfladung.net/