Lucas Learning

Lucas Learning
Company typeVideo game developer
Educational technology
IndustryEducational software
FoundedFebruary 1996 (original)
2024 (current)
FounderGeorge Lucas
Susan Schilling
DefunctJune 2001 (original)
Headquarters
San Rafael, California
,
United States
ParentLucasArts (original)
George Lucas Educational Foundation (current)
Websitelucaslearning.com (archived; original)
lucaslearning.org (current)

Lucas Learning is an initiative of the George Lucas Educational Foundation with a mission to work with partners to combine research-validated project-based learning principles with modern simulation technology for pre-K-12 schools.

History

In its initial iteration, started in 1996,[1] the Lucas Learning company was founded by George Lucas as a spin-off to LucasArts in order to provide challenging, engaging and fun educational software for classrooms.[2] Many of their award-winning titles were based on the national curriculum.[3] The company was located in San Rafael, California,[4] and was headed by former MECC senior vice president of development and creative director Susan Schilling.[5] Shilling asserted that Lucas was personally involved with the products and that a company mantra was to stay away from violence.[6] They released games from 1998 until announcing their cancellation of a Mac version of Star Wars Super Bombad Racing in mid 2001, the year Lucas Learning decided to leave the market.[7]


Games

Title Platform Release date
Star Wars: DroidWorks PC/MAC October 21, 1998
Star Wars Episode I: The Gungan Frontier PC/MAC May 24, 1999
Star Wars: Yoda's Challenge Activity Center PC/MAC August 17, 1999
Star Wars: Pit Droids PC/MAC September 18, 1999
Star Wars: Anakin's Speedway PC/MAC March 20, 2000
Star Wars: Early Learning Activity Center PC/MAC August 15, 2000
Star Wars Math: Jabba's Game Galaxy PC/MAC September 1, 2000
Star Wars: Jar Jar's Journey PC/MAC November 15, 2000
Star Wars: Super Bombad Racing (published by LucasArts) PS2 April 23, 2001

Critical reception

The Boston Herald wrote that the company was "setting a new standard in software development with a unique cooperative effort between Lucas' film and software sides".[8]

References

  1. ^ Armstrong, David (February 23, 1996). "Lucas getting into education via CD-ROM". SFgate. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  2. ^ "Lucas Learning - Company Mission". 2001-12-20. Archived from the original on 2001-12-20. Retrieved 2017-02-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. ^ "Lucas Learning - Letter to Educators". 2002-02-08. Archived from the original on 2002-02-08. Retrieved 2017-02-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. ^ "Lucas Learning - George Lucas' Vision". 2002-02-08. Archived from the original on 2002-02-08. Retrieved 2017-02-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  5. ^ Alexander, Steve (February 24, 1996). "MECC executive to join Lucas firm". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on February 21, 2017.
  6. ^ Olson, Karen Torme (May 17, 2000). "Game developers dazzle E3 crowds with new titles and technology". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on February 21, 2017.
  7. ^ Macworld Staff (June 20, 2001). "Lucas Learning axes Mac game, exits consumer market". Macworld. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
  8. ^ Cardwell, Annette (May 18, 1999). "Colo. shootings dominate talk at electronic games trade show". The Boston Herald. Archived from the original on February 21, 2017.