My first impulse was, “seriously, video games are such a waste of time.” After all, how could they make software that is more useful than LEGO Digital Designer, and that is free. Then I got outside the “licensed character box” and the ideas flooded in. If LEGO is open to doing something innovative, I would like to speak with them. I would seriously quit my job to work on these ideas with ANY software developer:
1. I want to see a video game based on human physiology … I don’t care who makes it. I find it so frustrating that kids can recite multiple traits of hundreds of mythical Pokemon characters and no one knows what the pancreas does or what a chloroplast does. Our lives literally depend on these things. (Here I am using literally literally.)
2. A game where kids learn how basic scientific principles which help them to be home responsible owners. I have so many discussions with my wife trying to explain scientific principles about water flow, heat flow, basic biology, electricity etc. in which I have to clear up misconceptions about how we need to do fix things around the house or in the yard. Obviously NO kid is going to care about the mundane task of keeping their home running, so instead you disguise this game as having them design and do damage control on a spaceship / castle / outpost that is under attack. At Navy officer candidate school they had this training facility called the USS Buttercup in which they sent future sailors down into the hull of a simulated ship that had been hit by a torpedo … cold sea water was pouring in everywhere. You had to use buckets, mattresses, whatever was available to plug the holes and stop the leaks. That’s a little more exciting than installing a GFCI, but I am sure they could work these things in someone.
3. How about a virtual LEGO minifig stop animation software?
4. Finally, a game which rewards environmental stewardship and sound principles of living sustainably. I could go on about this idea ALL DAY.
As a species, we dedicate a disproportionate amount of resources having our children learn stuff that will never benefit them. It seems like the spirit of the LEGO company has always transcended that.