SimCityEDU: Pollution Challenge! released for schools

EA has released a version of SimCity designed for educational purposes.

SimCityEDU: Pollution Challenge! has been designed by GlassLab, in conjunction with assessor ETS and learning company Pearson, and features integrated lesson plans revolving around the Common Core, Next Generation Science, and 21st Century Skills education standards.

“When we launched the reimagined SimCity, we always knew it had the potential to be used in a capacity beyond entertainment,” said EA chief operating officer Peter Moore in a statement. “Seeing SimCityEDU: Pollution Challenge! come to life in the classroom and encouraging the next generation of leaders to solve today’s real-world challenges is truly inspiring.”

SimCityEDU: Pollution Challenge! is available for download from various distributors. The educational tool is browser based and requires an annual subscription, according to distributor SMS Tech Solutions, with prices ranging from $19.99 to a single-user license to $649.99 for a 250 user and four teacher site license.

More information can be found on the SimCityEDU website.

The rebooted SimCity was released earlier in 2013, and featured a high-profile launch plagued by connection issues and server problems. The game's first expansion, Cities of Tomorrow, will be released for PC and Mac on November 12.