Sector33
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NASA debuts two new educational games for iOS, Facebook
NASA is no stranger to apps, but the space agency is branching out further into some new territory with its two latest offerings: a pair of educational games. The first is Sector 33, an air traffic control simulator for iOS devices that certainly won't be confused with Flight Control, but which NASA hopes will help teach math and possibly get folks interested in aviation. Those who prefer their games a bit more casual can also now try out NASA's very first multiplayer Facebook game, Space Race Blast Off, which tests folks' knowledge of various space-related topics (and is considerably more challenging than it first appears). Additional details and the games themselves can be found at the source links below.[Thanks, Mo]
Daily iPad App: Sector 33
Do you think you have what it takes to be an air traffic controller? Before you're responsible for hundreds of lives, you should test your flight controlling skills with NASA's latest iOS app, Sector 33. Sector 33 is a game similar to Flight Control from Firemint, but a bit more realistic. You are a controller in charge of flights into SFO via Modesto, California. Your job is to navigate the flights along their flight path and merge them into a single flight stream with the correct spacing. You can change the speed and the flight path for each plane to avoid collisions. The game follows standard flight rules, so you can't let the planes get too close. At the same time, you have to keep planes close enough together so they hit their targets at the correct distance. To make things even more difficult, there are obstacles like thunderstorms that can get in your way. The game has several levels that let you control up to five planes at a time. The better and faster you fly, the more points you earn. You get points for each level you complete and points for different certification levels. Points are tallied inside the game as there is no Game Center support. The game play is much different from Flight Control. In Sector 33, things are much more controlled. There's a set path for the planes to follow and a standard solutions for each level. The game plays more like a puzzle than a free-form game like Flight Control which lets you fly planes in any direction you want. The graphics are basic and, though it's not an accurate representation, the game has the look and feel of a radar system. If you're interested in planes and flying, you should check out Sector 33. It's a universal app that's available for free in the iOS Store.
