Isaac Asimov's Science Adventure

{{Short description|1992 educational video game}}

{{orphan|date=August 2019}}

Isaac Asimov's Science Adventure is an educational interactive CD-ROM. The game was later updated as Isaac Asimov's Science Adventure II. It is part of Knowledge Adventure's Adventure series.{{cite web|url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg13818694-400/|title=Computer Games: Games for the players who like to think a little bit harder. You struggle to survive in the war, the ant colony or on your own world. Build incredible machines, adventure in space or sharpen up your psyche.|publisher=}}

Production and content

Isaac Asimov died in April 1992, and this collaboration between his works and the developers behind the program was one of his last projects before he passed.{{cite web|url=https://www.atarimagazines.com/compute/issue147/98_Isaac_Asimovs_Scien.php|title=Isaac Asimov's Science Adventure|first=Keith|last=Ferrell|website=www.atarimagazines.com}} The game's articles were based on Asimov's Chronology of Science and Discovery.{{cite web |last=Davis |first=Ziff |date=13 September 1994 |title=PC Mag |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WKaekAHjQ1EC&q=3D+Dinosaur+Adventure&pg=PA166 |publisher=Ziff Davis, Inc. |via=Google Books}} The game teaches topics ranging from roller coaster acceleration to planetary orbit to pulleys.

The central hub of the program is a reference screen, which displays text panels, pictures, and timeline, and a globe. The designers described the program as an educational software toy - a sort of intellectual playground, to encourage curiosity but with no agenda. The virtual science museum has over 150 rooms, and over 1000

illustrated, interactive, and interlinked articles by Isaac Asimov.{{cite web |last=Bekman |first=Stas |title=6.1 Computer Software (Isaac Asimov) |url=http://stason.org/TULARC/education-books/isaac-asimov/6-1-Computer-Software-Isaac-Asimov.html |website=stason.org}}

Critical reception

PC Magazine included it in its list of the Top 100 CD-ROMS, commenting on its "spectacular computer graphics" and high quality articles. The magazine recommended it as a holiday gift .{{cite web |last=Davis |first=Ziff |date=22 December 1992 |title=PC Mag |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v9TVJ_G_sk8C&q=%22isaac+asimov+science+adventure%22&pg=PA142 |publisher=Ziff Davis, Inc. |via=Google Books}} Compute magazine thought the title was well produced and impressive technically. New Scientist felt the title had excellent graphics and interface. The program was highly recommended by The New York Times.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/12/08/science/personal-computers-building-imaginary-railroads-under-real-trees.html|title=PERSONAL COMPUTERS; Building Imaginary Railroads Under Real Trees|first=Peter H.|last=Lewis|newspaper=The New York Times|date=8 December 1992|publisher=}}

References