Fun School
Fun School | |
---|---|
Edutainment | |
Developer(s) | Database Publications (1984) Database Educational Software (1989) Europress Software (1992) |
Publisher(s) | Database Publications (1984) Database Educational Software (1989) |
Creator(s) | Derek Meakin Meash Meakin Peter Davidson |
Platform(s) | 1989-1994: Acorn Electron, BBC Micro, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Amiga, DOS 1995-1998: Windows |
First release | Fun School 1 1984 |
Latest release | Fun School 7 1998 |
Fun School is a series of educational packages developed and published in the United Kingdom by
Fun School 1
Fun School 1 is the first set of educational games, created in 1984 by Database Educational Software for the
Under 5 years[4] | Ages 5–8[5] | 8-12 years[6] |
---|---|---|
|
|
|
Fun School 2
Fun School 2 is the second set of educational games, created in 1989 by Database Educational Software. It was released on more computers than its predecessor including Acorn Electron, BBC Micro, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Amiga, MS-DOS and RISC OS. The three individual games catered for children aged under 6 years, between 6 and 8 years and over 8 years respectively.
Publication | Score |
---|---|
Amstrad Action | 89% (Amstrad CPC)[7] |
Your Sinclair | 89% (ZX Spectrum)[8] |
Amstar | 14/20 (Amstrad CPC)[9][10] |
Commodore Format | 62% (C64)[11] |
Publication | Score |
---|---|
Amstrad Action | 89% (Amstrad CPC)[7] |
Your Sinclair | 89% (ZX Spectrum)[8] |
Commodore Format | 60% (C64)[11] |
Publication | Score |
---|---|
Amstrad Action | 89% (Amstrad CPC)[7] |
Your Sinclair | 89% (ZX Spectrum)[8] |
Commodore Format | 64% (C64)[11] |
The Fun School 2 games were programmed using the STOS (derived from BASIC) programming language[8] with the STOS Compiler Engine.[12]
Fun School 2 was reviewed as "The number one choice for our school" by Shelley Gibson.[13] Fun School 2 was rated 3rd place in the "Gallup full-price software chart".[14] Commodore Force rated Fun School 2 for Under 6 Years as #43, Fun School 2 Ages 6–8 as #36 and Fun School 2 Over 8 Years as number 10 in rankings of the top 100 Commodore 64 games of 1993.[15] Despite its popularity among children, Fun School 2 was criticised by left-wing educationalists due to a competition element and the matter was brought to British MP Kenneth Baker.[16]
Under 6 Years[17] | Ages 6–8[18] | Over 8 Years[19] |
---|---|---|
|
|
|
Fun School 3
Publication | Score |
---|---|
Crash | 84% (ZX Spectrum)[20] |
Amiga CD32 Gamer | 80% (Amiga)[21] |
CPC Attack! | 90% (Amstrad CPC)[22] |
8000 Plus | 18/20 (Amstrad PCW)[23] |
ST Format | 91%(Atari ST)[24] |
Publication | Score |
---|---|
Amstrad Action | 90% (Amstrad CPC)[25] |
Crash | 86% (ZX Spectrum)[26] |
CPC Attack! | 90% (Amstrad CPC)[22] |
8000 Plus | 4/5 (Amstrad PCW)[27] |
ST Format | 94%(Atari ST)[24] |
Publication | Score |
---|---|
Amstrad Action | 92% (Amstrad CPC)[28] |
CPC Attack! | 90% (Amstrad CPC)[22] |
ST Format | 90%(Atari ST)[24] |
Fun School 3 is the third set of educational games, created in 1990 by Database Educational Software released for the
The Fun School 3 games were developed using the STOS (derived from BASIC) programming language with the STOS Compiler Engine.[30] For the Amiga version it was converted to AMOS using the AMOS Compiler by William Cochrane and Peter Hickman.[31]
The Amiga version was hosted on the "Commodore 1990 Christmas" talk show along with AMOS 3D.[32] The Amstrad PCW version won the European Computer Leisure Award as "Best Home Education Package" and also got the 8000 Plus Seal of Approval.[33]
Under 5 Years[34] | Ages 5–7[35] | Over 7 Years[30] |
---|---|---|
|
|
|
Fun School 4
Publication | Score |
---|---|
CU Amiga | (Amiga)[39] |
ST Format | 82% (Atari ST)[40] |
Commodore Format | 75% (C64)[41] |
Publication | Score |
---|---|
Amstrad Action | 93% (Amstrad CPC)[36] |
Crash | 86% (ZX Spectrum)[26] |
Sinclair User | 81% (ZX Spectrum)[37] |
Your Sinclair | 8/10 (ZX Spectrum)[38] |
Zzap!64 | 79% (C64)[42] |
CPC Attack! | 90% (Amstrad CPC)[22] |
ST Format | 82% (Atari ST)[40] |
Commodore Format | 68% (C64)[41] |
Publication | Score |
---|---|
CU Amiga | (Amiga)[39] |
ST Format | 82% (Atari ST)[40] |
Commodore Format | 70% (C64)[41] |
Fun School 4 is the fourth set of educational games, created in 1992 by
The Amiga version of the Fun School 4 games were mostly created with the AMOS code using the AMOS Compiler engine. [31] TimeTable and Exchange Rates were written in asembler, this was primarily due to the complex nature of these two games and wanting to keep the performance up to an acceptable level.
Under 5 Years[45] | Ages 5–7[46] | Ages 7–11[47] |
---|---|---|
|
|
|
Fun School Specials
Fun School Specials is a set of educational games, created in 1993 by
Paint and Create
Paint and Create was released on Commodore 64, Amiga and MS-DOS computers and has an easy interface divided into six activities aimed at younger audiences to do their own artwork.[50]
Paint and Create got good review scores including 91% from
Spelling Fair
Spelling Fair was released on Commodore 64, Amiga and MS-DOS computers.
Merlin's Maths
Merlin's Maths was released on Amiga and MS-DOS computers. Merlin's Maths teaches mathematics on the topics of counting, decimals, fractions and volumes within six activities.[54]
Young Scientist
Young Scientist was created in 1995 and released on CD for Windows and Macintosh to teach science in depth. The game stars the main character Ozzie S. Otter and has up to forty scientific experiments to try out.
Publication | Paint & Create | Spelling Fair | Merlin's Maths | Young Scientist |
---|---|---|---|---|
Commodore Format | 91% (C64)[51] | 90% (C64)[55] | ||
CU Amiga
|
94% (Amiga)[52] | 84% (Amiga)[52] | 79% (Amiga)[52] | |
Amiga Format | 87% (Amiga)[56] | |||
Amiga Joker | 18% (Amiga)[57] |
Paint & Create (Ages 5 to 11) |
Merlin's Maths (Ages 7 to 11) |
Spelling Fair (Ages 7 to 13) |
Young Scientist (Ages 5 to 9) |
---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Fun School 5
Fun School 5 is the fifth set of educational games, released in 1995 by Europress Software on
Dreamland (Ages 4–7)[60] | Space (Ages 6–9)[60] | Time (Ages 8–11)[60] |
---|---|---|
|
|
|
Fun School 6
Fun School 6 is the sixth set of educational games, created in 1996 by Europress Software released on
Fairyland (Ages 4–7) | Magicland (Ages 6–9) | Futureland (Ages 8–11) |
---|---|---|
|
|
|
Fun School 7
Fun School 7 is the seventh and final set of educational games, created in 1998 by
Ages 4–7 | Ages 6–9 | Ages 8–11 |
---|---|---|
|
Commercial performance
Before 1989, the educational market was dwindling and the release of "Fun School 2" was an outstanding success. The games sold over 60,000 copies by February[63] and by this time a German Amiga package was developed.[64] By April the games sold over 100,000 copies.[65] During August in 1990, over 150,000 copies had been sold (including 30,000 Amstrad CPC copies).[66] During the development of "Fun School 3" by December, 250,000 copies of the games had been sold.[67]
Before the BBC Micro and PC versions were released "Fun School 3" had already sold 45,000 copies of other formats.
By 1992, over 500,000 copies of the
References
- Database Publications. September 1991. p. 89. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
- Database Publications. p. 42. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
- Database Publications. November 1985. p. 52. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
- ^ "Fun School - For under 5s: CPC-Power". January 26, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
- ^ "Fun School - For Under 8s: CPC-Power". January 26, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
- ^ "Fun School - For Under 12s: CPC-Power". January 26, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
- ^ a b c Norris, Tim (April 1993). "Amstrad Action Issue 091". Amstrad Action. No. 91. Future plc. p. 49.
A cracking set of games that will definitely entertain younger children. Little there for older ones though.
- ^ a b c d Barker, Linda (December 1992). "Fun School 2 - Your Sinclair". Your Sinclair. No. 84. Future plc. p. 44.
The Fun School series is well worth looking into. In fact, it's a very nearly Megagame.
- Amstar. No. 42. Soracom. February 1990. p. 115.
- Amstar. No. 48. Soracom. August 1990. p. 62.
- ^ a b c "Commodore Format Issue 27". Commodore Format. No. 27. Future plc. December 1992. pp. 28–29.
Fun School 2 has made it to the budgets.
- ^ Gerrard, Mike (October 1989). "ST Format - Fun School 2". ST Format. No. 91. Future plc. p. 100.
- Database Publications. pp. 79–80, 85.
The Number one choice in our school
- ^ "Amiga Format 008". Amiga Format. No. 8. Future plc. February 1990. p. 97. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
- ^ "Commodore Force Issue 0051". Commodore Force. No. 5. Europress Impact. May 1993. p. 8.
- Newsfield Publications. August 1989. p. 8.
- Database Educational Software. pp. 4–8.
- Database Educational Software. pp. 4–8.
- Database Educational Software. pp. 4–8.)
{{cite magazine}}
: Cite magazine requires|magazine=
(help - ^ Caswell, Mark (February 1991). "Crash Issue 085". Crash. No. 85. Europress Impact. p. 30.
I'd recommend the Fun School range of games to anyone.
- ^ Boni, Dino (October 1995). "Amiga CD32 Issue 017". Amiga CD32 Gamer. No. 17. Paragon Publishing. p. 22.
You cannot criticise the programmes in any way, simply because they have already won numerous awards.
- ^ a b c d e f "CPC Attack Issue 04". CPC Attack!. No. 4. HHL Publishing. September 1992. p. 22.
I'm sure these will be very popular in schools and even at home.
- ^ Lankenau, Sophie (December 1990). "8000 Plus - Issue 51". 8000 Plus. No. 51. Future plc. p. 44.
To captivate and keep the interest of the very young is the task tackled by the authors of Fun School 3 - and the results are impressive.
- ^ a b c d Jones, David (October 1990). "ST Format - Issue 15". ST Format. No. 15. Future plc. pp. 143–144, 146.
It may sound like the name of a third-rate pop band, but it's got the best pedigree in the business.
- ^ O'Connor, Frank (August 1991). "Amstrad Action Issue 071". Amstrad Action. No. 71. Future plc. p. 52.
Fun School 3 is years ahead of the competition and makes other educational packages look rather limp.
- ^ a b c d "Crash Issue 096". Crash. No. 96. Europress Impact. February 1992. p. 19.
- ^ Smith, Tim (June 1991). "8000 Plus - Issue 57". 8000 Plus. No. 57. Future plc. p. 60.
For once, we have no hesitation in recommending this piece of software.
- ^ O'Connor, Frank (September 1991). "Amstrad Action Issue 072". Amstrad Action. No. 72. Future plc. p. 69.
Wonderfully presented, a joy to use and a great deal of fun too.
- Database Educational Software. p. 24.
- ^ Database Educational Software. pp. 2, 44.
- ^ a b Golder, Dave (January 1992). "Amiga Computing Issue 044". Amiga Computing. No. 44. Europress. p. 14.
- ^ "Amiga Computing Issue 031". Amiga Computing. No. 31. Europress. December 1990. p. 74.
- ^ "8000 Plus - Fun School 3 Seal of Approval". 8000 Plus. No. 57. Future plc. June 1991. p. 5.
- Database Educational Software. 1990. p. 16.
- Database Educational Software. 1990. p. 16.)
{{cite magazine}}
: Cite magazine requires|magazine=
(help - ^ a b c "Amstrad Action Issue 079". Amstrad Action. No. 79. Future plc. April 1992. p. 21.
- ^ a b c "Sinclair Issue 128". Sinclair User. No. 128. EMAP. October 1992. p. 21.
- ^ a b Golder, Dave (February 1992). "Your Sinclair Issue 074". Your Sinclair. No. 74. Future plc. p. 53.
- ^ CU Amiga. No. 32. EMAP. January 1992. pp. 155–157.
- ^ a b c "ST Format Issue 46". ST Format. No. 46. Future plc. May 1993. p. 96.
- ^ a b c "Commodore Format Issue 19". Commodore Format. No. 19. Future plc. April 1992. pp. 62–63.
- ^ a b "Zzap!64 Issue 082". Zzap!64. No. 82. Europress. March 1992. p. 64.
- ^ Barker, Linda (March 1992). "Your Sinclair Issue 075". Your Sinclair. No. 75. Future plc. p. 19.
- ^ "Fun School 4: Fun School 4 and the National Curriculum". 1992. p. 14. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
- ^ Fun School 4 for Under 5 Years Manual. Europress. 1992. pp. 4–11.
- ^ Fun School 4 Ages 5 to 7 Manual. Europress. 1992. pp. 4–15.
- ^ Fun School 4 Ages 7 to 11 Manual. Europress. 1992. pp. 5–16.
- ^ Europress (November 4, 1996). "Fun School Specials - Official Site". Archived from the original on November 4, 1996. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
- CU Amiga. No. 36. EMAP. February 1993. p. 72.
- ^ Bibby, Mike (November 1992). "Amiga Computing 054". Amiga Computing. No. 54. Europress. p. 71.
- ^ a b "Commodore Format Issue 028". Commofore Format. No. 28. Future plc. January 1993. p. 64.
- ^ CU Amiga. No. 36. EMAP. February 1993. pp. 110–111.
- ^ "Fun School Special: Paint And Create - Amiga Reviews". Retrieved June 30, 2015.
- ^ "Amiga Computing 054". Amiga Computing. No. 54. Europress. November 1992. p. 12.
- ^ "Commodore Format Issue 030". Commofore Format. No. 30. Future plc. March 1993. p. 62.
- ^ Jackson, Neil (November 1992). "Amiga Format 040". Amiga Format. No. 40. Future plc. p. 168.
- ^ "Amiga Joker 001". Amiga Joker. No. 1. Joker Verlag. January 1993. p. 74.
- PC Review. No. 9. EMAP. July 1992. p. 10.
- PC Review. No. 43. EMAP. p. 90.
The latest in the Fun School range proves that educational multimedia is both entertaining and of high quality.
- ^ a b c "Fun School 5 - Official Site". November 4, 1996. Archived from the original on November 4, 1996. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
- ^ PC Review. No. 43. EMAP. May 1995. p. 9.
The best just got better!
- ^ "About Fun School 6". March 4, 2000. Archived from the original on March 4, 2000. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
- Newsfield Publications. February 1990. p. 13.
- ^ "Amiga Computing 021". Amiga Computing. No. 21. Europress. February 1990. p. 9.
- ^ "Amstrad Action Issue 055". Amstrad Action. No. 55. Future plc. April 1990. p. 19.
- ^ "Amstrad Action Issue 059". Amstrad Action. No. 59. Future plc. August 1990. p. 7. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
- ^ a b O'Connor, Frank (March 1991). "Amstrad Action Issue 066". Amstrad Action. No. 66. Future plc. pp. 32–33.
Fun School 3 actually makes it a pleasure, for both child and parent.
- CU Amiga. No. 18. EMAP. August 1991. p. 13.
- CU Amiga. No. 14. Future plc. April 1991. p. 9.
- ^ Payne, Chris (2006). Dissolve Mental Shackles (PDF). p. 18.
- ^ Fun School Spelling Box Art
- ^ "Fun School 6 Cover". Retrieved September 12, 2015.
- ^ "Fun School 7: Ages 8-11 Cover". Retrieved December 15, 2016.
External links
- Fun School 6 information at the Wayback Machine (archived July 6, 1998)
- History of Fun School, Fun School 2 and Fun School 3
- Fun School - Europress Software official site at the Wayback Machine (archived November 4, 1996)
- Fun School series at MobyGames