This Is A New Project
Neil deGrasse Tyson, an astronomer, has enlisted some of the most prominent names in literature and science among them Bill Nye, an educator and scientist, and Neil Gaiman, an author. FilmMagic/Fox/Ulf Andersen/Steve Jennings/Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
On Kickstarter scientist and science communication expert Neil deGrasse Tyson has a crowdfunding campaign in place with the aim of funding a specific kind of computer game. The title is "Space Odyssey" and the team behind it hopes to create games that are both educational and enjoyable 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 might even live life. One instance could have a participant pilot a spacecraft through an asteroidal belt or creating a robot capable of mining comets for valuable resources. Virtual virtual reality experiences will be incorporated into the team's plans, placing players at the forefront of the action. Let It Sing 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 invited authors such as Neil Gaiman and Larry Niven, Peter Beagle, George R. R. Martin to aid in the creation of a creative world. A host of other writers, artists, gamers, scientists and other notable figures in the creative and scientific fields are contributing to the effort.
Although it's a brand-new project, it's certainly not the first educational computer game. From Let It Sing from the past like "Oregon Trail" to modified builds of the popular game "Minecraft," game designers and educators have long recognized the power of teaching through play. Tyson's game, which's full name is "Neil deGrasse Tyson Presents Space Odyssey The Video Game" The Video Game", is a bold and exciting game.
The Kickstarter campaign, which has a goal of raising $314,159 (a seemingly arbitrary amount, until you consider the pi digits) is set to end on July 29th, Saturday. The administrators admit that the money raised will make up a small portion of the amount that the developers at Whatnot Entertainment will need to create "Space Odyssey" an actual reality. If everything goes as planned you may soon be able to explore the world from the comfort of your couch.
Now That's Interesting In a conversation with the HowStuffWorks podcast Stuff You Should Know, Neil deGrasse Tyson said that he would like to expand world-wide education to increase the likelihood of human culture producing "another Einstein.
