Riverdeep Ships Zoombinis Island Odyssey

Award-Winning Product Line Introduces Rich Science Content As a Foundation for Mathematical Puzzles and Games

CAMBRIDGE, MA – October 30, 2002 – Riverdeep, Inc. today announced the release of Zoombinis Island Odyssey. This new CD-ROM product, marketed under The Learning Company brand, combines educator-praised, Zoombinis-style math and logic problem solving with an exciting new twist—a fun introduction to science concepts. Zoombinis Island Odyssey is available now on Windows and Macintosh for an approximate street price of $19.99.

In Zoombinis Island Odyssey, players ages eight and older team up with the Zoombinis to solve math, logic, and scientific-thinking puzzles in an effort to restore their ecologically ravaged homeland and save the wild Zerbles. Kids build mathematical and scientific-thinking skills, such as reasoning logically, forming and testing hypotheses, and decoding complex processes, while being introduced to concepts in astronomy, mechanics, cryptography, and life sciences. Seven puzzles have three levels of challenge each—not so hard, oh so hard, and very, very hard. These puzzles automatically reformulate themselves each time the user plays, allowing for a new game each time.

“The Zoombinis puzzles invite kids to play, and then intrigue them into solving math, science, and logic challenges,” said Mark Hittie, vice president of marketing for The Learning Company products. “They fascinate kids of all ages and provide a wonderful mix of challenge and play.”

Zoombinis Island Odyssey uses a rich storyline—repairing the broken chain of life on Zoombini Isle—to provide kids with a fun introduction to science. As players endeavor to rebuild the Isle, they are introduced to interesting elements of life sciences, mechanics, astronomy, and genetics, all within the context of engaging puzzles and games. While each puzzle is essentially a logical challenge that requires mathematical and scientific thinking, many of the situations are based on actual principles of science.

The Zoombinis style of gameplay is designed to help children develop and apply thinking skills. Rather than tell players what to do, it presents them with a situation and gives them the freedom to explore and invent solutions. The game rewards logical thinking and insight, favoring those who act thoughtfully, as opposed to quickly. This sort of gameplay develops the skills children can apply to problem-solving situations in all areas of their lives, through logical thinking, experimenting, and organizing information.

School Version Coming Soon!

An Enhanced Educator Version (EEV) of the new Zoombinis title will be introduced to schools this winter. Enhancements to the CD-ROM include whole-class progress tracking and printable classroom activities. It will also feature a comprehensive Teacher Resource Binder that includes lesson plans, additional student activities, reproducible worksheets, and detailed scope and sequence charts. The EEV School Version will be available as a 2-user School Edition, 6-User Lab Pack, or Flexible Site License.

About Riverdeep

Riverdeep provides highly motivating, dynamic, curriculum-based Internet and CD-ROM learning experiences for children and teenagers. Riverdeep's products feature interactive problem-solving approaches and real-world applications that reinforce conceptual understanding. The Company also offers online tools to help educators integrate technology with curriculum and to assess and improve student performance. Riverdeep’s rich portfolio of educational software solutions includes Destination Math, Destination Reading, Science Explorer, Science Gateways, Tangible MATH, Reader Rabbit, Carmen Sandiego, ClueFinders, Oregon Trail, Thinkin' Things, Mighty Math, EdVantage's language arts courses and Broderbund’s home productivity and digital media software, including The Print Shop, PrintMaster and Family Tree Maker.

For more information, call toll free to 800-564-2587 or visit www.riverdeep.net.

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