Summary
- Release Year: 2009
- Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
- Developers: Sabi Games
- Publishers: Sabi Games
ItzaBitza: The Award-Winning Game That Brings Kids’ Drawings to Life
In the award-winning game ItzaBitza, drawings truly come to life. Kids help their Sketchy by using Living Ink – a unique drawing recognition system – to draw one-of-a-kind interactive objects that form the centerpiece of the game’s action. Draw a house and watch the character shrink to fit in the door; draw flames and watch the rocket ship they drew blast off.
The game provides a totally unique experience every time it is played. Since the environment is created through each player’s personal drawings, the possibilities are as endless and fantastic as the player’s imagination. The game comes with five themed playsets – “Home Sweet Home”, “Let’s go Camping”, “Play in Space”, “A Farm Life”, and perfect for Halloween – “A VERY Scary Haunted House.” Players unlock playsets by winning star challenges.
More Than Just a Fun Game
ItzaBitza is more than just a fun game. The game has been crafted specifically for early-readers. In ItzaBitza, players who are just learning to read start out having a blast watching the whimsical reactions happen between their drawings and their Sketchy. Then all of a sudden, they need to read to win a star. Or to know what to draw so they can help their Sketchy.
Parents will be delighted by the game’s ability to enhance their child’s self-confidence. Unlike some games that leave younger players frustrated by their difficulty and lack of assistance, ItzaBitza provides features to guide children even when faced with unfamiliar concepts. If an early-reader encounters a new word, it can be read aloud to them with the simple act of hovering the mouse over the word.
Learning While Playing
Through a delightful twist on drawing games, ItzaBitza introduces a new way for kids to game and while they are playing, really important learning is happening. New methods to engage children, discovered during a multi-year research project conducted by Microsoft Corporation, are fused into the game’s design, yielding a unique experience that encourages fun and learning.
ItzaBitza has been recognized for its educational value, receiving awards from organizations such as:
- The National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA)
- The Parents’ Choice Foundation
- The American Library Association
How to Play
ItzaBitza is a simple game to learn, but it offers a lot of depth and replayability. The game is played on a tablet or computer. Players use their finger or a stylus to draw objects on the screen. These objects can be anything the player can imagine, from simple shapes to complex scenes.
The game’s physics engine then brings the player’s drawings to life. Objects can interact with each other and with the game’s characters. For example, a player can draw a ramp and then watch as their Sketchy rolls down it. Or they can draw a bridge and then watch as their Sketchy crosses it.
The game’s five playsets offer a variety of different challenges and activities. In “Home Sweet Home,” players can help their Sketchy decorate their house, cook dinner, and even take a bath. In “Let’s Go Camping,” players can help their Sketchy explore the great outdoors, build a campfire, and go on a hike. In “Play in Space,” players can help their Sketchy explore the solar system, build a rocket ship, and even land on the moon. In “A Farm Life,” players can help their Sketchy care for animals, grow crops, and harvest the fields. And in “A VERY Scary Haunted House,” players can help their Sketchy navigate a haunted house, solve puzzles, and escape from ghosts.
Conclusion
ItzaBitza is a unique and innovative game that is perfect for kids of all ages. It’s a fun and educational way to learn about creativity, problem-solving, and physics. With its endless possibilities and replayability, ItzaBitza is a game that kids will come back to time and time again.
Review Score
9/10
Art
Cover Art
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