Does anyone know what the market is like for educational children software? I realize thats a pretty broad question but I''m just wondering if anyone has had experience (if even just shareware) at writing and/or publishing such software. Is it reasonable to try and make a nice software pack and sell it, either through shareware or a real publisher, and expect to make some extra cash on the side? Not really looking to make a living (though if anyone currently does, please share), but I think it''d be something I''d enjoy doing if its a feasible idea. Thanks Dave Ratti

> what the market is like for educational children software

PCData (www.npd.com) is a good source for the US market. I''ve been told the educational world market is tough, mostly because of the large number of languages, cultures and laws. Kutoka Interactive, the maker of the very successful ''Mia the Mouse'' is about to go bust. Many of the other titles have links with toy manufacturers and such (Mattel, Tonka, Disney, etc), so the educational value is questionable.

I think, but this is a personal opinion, that ''party'' games are a blast right now. Mario Party 4 and Monkey Balls had a great success on the GameCube. A game that lends itself to a simple interface, a single monitor view, but multiple game controlers would find it''s place. I have BomberMan in mind as a classic example of such simple & fun games.

-cb

i thought i saw this on flipcode too...?

You did. Same poster but that thread is much further along. I hate to link over to a rival forum but as it is the exact same question/poster anyone interested may as well check it out at the flipcode thread

Dan Marchant
Obscure Productions
Game Development & Design consultant

[edited by - obscure on August 15, 2003 9:54:51 PM]