School Life Games

[Ja Myou]

Ever thought that the initial setting of Final Fantasy VIII should have been made a seperate game? Balamb Garden training, SEED exams, learning how to summon GFs and draw magic... Toss in some academic subjects like algebra and history, that would be an awesome game. At least in my opinion.

School-life simulation games are rare. Does anyone know of any? And how would you rate it?

Examples:
School Tycoon (although you play headmaster rather than a student)
Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Duel Academy
Rival Schools Burning Youth Diary

 

[Sabao]

Persona 3
Mana Khemia: Alchemists of Al-Revis

 

[candle]

Ever thought that the initial setting of Final Fantasy VIII should have been made a seperate game? Balamb Garden training, SEED exams, learning how to summon GFs and draw magic... Toss in some academic subjects like algebra and history, that would be an awesome game. At least in my opinion.

You are seriously mistaken.  What you are talking about is your basic edutainment game for little kids such as the Jump Start series.  These usually appeal only to children in 5th grade and below.  I don't know a single person that would seriously consider playing a game like that.

Now, a game that takes place in a school might be interesting, but don't try to teach things in there or you will lose most of your "audience" (unless your intent was to make an edutainment game, anyway)

 

[Despain]

Rival Schools Burning Youth Diary

hi japan

 

[Ja Myou]

Rival Schools Burning Youth Diary

hi japan

Truly sad Capcom didn't translate it to english.

Ever thought that the initial setting of Final Fantasy VIII should have been made a seperate game? Balamb Garden training, SEED exams, learning how to summon GFs and draw magic... Toss in some academic subjects like algebra and history, that would be an awesome game. At least in my opinion.

You are seriously mistaken.  What you are talking about is your basic edutainment game for little kids such as the Jump Start series.  These usually appeal only to children in 5th grade and below.  I don't know a single person that would seriously consider playing a game like that.

Now, a game that takes place in a school might be interesting, but don't try to teach things in there or you will lose most of your "audience" (unless your intent was to make an edutainment game, anyway)

I understand your point. I too was thinking that it'd be overkill for players (who are or have been students) to be students again. But since you think that school setting might be interesting, what do you think of a school-simulation game mimicking Harvest Moon? Of course, focusing more on relationships or sports, perhaps magic or whatnots rather than education.

 

[candle]

A school simulation would be the wrong choice.  What I was talking about when I said it was a good idea was a game set in a school, not where you learn things you would in real life.  Look at the Harry Potter games, for instance.  Regardless of the platform, many of the first games were very fun.  I haven't played any of the more recent, though.

 

[EmuMaster2002]

I'm pretty sure that's what he meant. A game that has you playing as a student and building relationships with friends there or what have you.

 

[kevinsllama]

That seems like a good idea. There aren't many of those out there, and I would like to play one, but like Darkfire said, DO NOT involve real learning.
That's not what people look for in a game...

 

[Ja Myou]

Does the word "Edutainment" really have that effect on gamers?

 

[Dark_linis]

That seems like a good idea. There aren't many of those out there, and I would like to play one, but like Darkfire said, DO NOT involve real learning.
That's not what people look for in a game...

They teach you stuff at school in persona 3 and even quiz you on  it.
It isn't tedious though and I actually learned quite a bit.
And the school days part of Final Fantasy 8 totally blew me away. I was like 11 so my standards were a bit low but I think before that I thought all RPG's besides Pokemon were wack. (oh and btw, Pokemon games have schools too! I dont know if they count though)
but anyway, that whole school/test taking part of ff8 was... great.
I loved the graduation. :thumb:
 

 

[candle]

Does the word "Edutainment" really have that effect on gamers?

Quite simply?  yes

 

[Venetia]

i think anything (TV, novels, games, anything) based on school is a total fucking drag.

school is depressing and shitty and boring and annoying, i have no clue why all these people want to relive it in someone else's shoes.

i mean the sims is about regular life but telling someone to pay my bills and take a shit in a humorous way is SO MUCH MORE FASCINATING and LESS ANNOYING than teenage drama bullshit.

i'll NEVER comprehend why japan pounds out wad after wad of anime squirts based on highschoolers. probably because their adulthoods are so awful and demeaning and soulless that high school is the last time they can remember being happy and free, idk.

anyway there have been lots and lots of games based on highschool, ESPECIALLY non-translated shit from japan. the most recent american one that comes to mind is Bully by Rockstar Games. It's all those things you described except from the eyes of a general delinquent. Which is much more interesting imo.

though i will admit the hentai games based around high school are usually the best. theyre usually devoid of tentacles, gore, and women growing schlongs anyway. :/

 

[Despain]

though i will admit the hentai games based around high school are usually the best. theyre usually devoid of tentacles, gore, and women growing schlongs anyway. :/

tell that to Bible Black (best hentai game fucking EVER)

 

[FlippyD]

though i will admit the hentai games based around high school are usually the best. theyre usually devoid of tentacles, gore, and women growing schlongs anyway. :/

tell that to Bible Black (best hentai game fucking EVER)

QFT

But seriously, I enjoy the school games, though I guess I should be thankful most of those bad JRPGs based on high school never really make it over here.

I think it's possible to have a high school game and do it right (ala Bully's story.) It seems your major issue Venetia is teen drama, so, you cut out the drama. However that'd be a really hard sell commercially since high school kids buy up those stories like no ones business.

I have an idea for a tactical RPG that takes place in a school, but instead of focusing on teens with super powers worrying about supervillains and the prom, the kids all fall into nightmare worlds and have to work together to escape. No worrying about boys, or fashion, or why Brittney doesn't like you anymore; Joey just got ripped in half and eaten by mutant werewolves that jump through walls... Who's next?