New Computer Games for Kids Teaches Shape Recognition and 3-D Manipulation (Z016)

Chicago, (word count: 741) high-resolution images are available on request. Discover the first two installments of the "Perception Zone" series at www.iangoo.com, the first site to propose downloadable episodes of  interactive 3-D computer games for children ages 3 to 8 and their parents and teachers. Published by Univers Numeriques, a new French publisher of educational video games, Perception Zone is a fun and engrossing introductory voyage to worlds of shapes where children learn to manipulate, move, and build with objects in three dimensions. This Perception Zone collection teaches basic perception skills through games around a theme using shapes, colors, and sounds. Designed for children from 3 to 8 years old, this collection is based on purely positive values and takes kids into a spectacular and peaceful world where there is no failure and no competition. Parents eager to give their children the means to master logical thinking can either accompany them or leave them in all confidence in the capable hands of Professor Phileo to travel the unique worlds created by Univers Numeriques. In a harmonious world the children -- with their parents or by themselves -- learn to manipulate and combine simple shapes, colors, and sounds. They enjoy the company, guidance and support of Professor Phileo, a wise and reassuring mentor, and his faithful "iangoo," a little cat-dog, and three imps Bool, Pyram, and Q-B. From amusing surprises to logical discoveries, the child is at the center of an enchanting journey. Once the game is downloaded, children can play it on their own without having to go online. The breakdown into episodes lets them develop and progress at their own speed. From one episode to the next, they face new challenges that stimulate their creative potential. This is the first game in the Perception collection. It includes eight episodes that form a progressive whole, with a new episode available online every two months on the www.iangoo.com website. They present a pleasantly futuristic 3-D graphic world where children will learn to recognize simple geometric shapes and their roles, how to manipulate them, and how they fit together. "First Flight with Phileo" and "Discovering the 3 Dimensions" are the first two episodes in the game, now available for download at www.iangoo.com . Episode 1: "First Flight with Phileo" Phileo introduces the child to the characters and tells him or her about the journey they are about to embark on. Together they are setting out to discover a new virtual world located on and around the planet "Laoh" where they will learn about the rules and tools that will serve them in their future adventures. The child will feel like a real explorer. At the controls of their space ship, they will fly along a path (where a number of traps await them) towards their first workshop where they will learn all about the point, the line, and the plane. Episode 2: "Discovering the 3 Dimensions" The child will then change the shape of the plane by adjusting it in length, height, and depth. Interactive animation sequences help them to understand the transformations the plane undergoes. Then Phileo whisks them off to one of the three satellites of the planet "Laoh," the "World of Squares," where they play in real time with colored cubes and navigate around the game platform guided by their trusty companions. The next six episodes will take the children to the "World of Round Shapes," the "World of Triangles," and the planet "Laoh," where they will be encouraged to build villages in unusual and spectacular surroundings. Cost per episode: $5.99 To download the episodes for editorial review, please contact the French Technology Press Office at contact.ftpo@ubifrance.fr. Before purchasing an episode, make sure the computer is compatible by consulting the minimum configurations (in "Access to Games," under the "Games available for downloading" header). Installation information: Download the selected episodes from the "Download" page in "Your Account" on www.iangoo.com. Once the pack is on the computer desktop, double-click to install it and follow the instructions. Install Microsoft Direct X for PC (delivered with the first episode). Close the installation windows. Click "Play" and select the format of the computer screen. About Univers Numeriques: Univers Numeriques is the publisher and owner of the websites www.iangoo.fr and www.iangoo.com. These sites are the exclusive distributors of programs by Univers Numeriques. A limited liability company with a capital of €55,000, Univers Numeriques, founded and managed by Jean-Pierre Moussaud, produces and publishes real-time interactive 3-D video games for children from 3 to 8 years of age. For more information, please contact:   UNIVERS NUMERIQUES Jean-Pierre Moussaud Manager 38, rue René Lefebvre 77760 Villers-sous-Grez FRANCE E-mail: contact@univers-num.fr Web: www.iangoo.com or: FRENCH TECHNOLOGY PRESS OFFICE 205 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3740 Chicago, IL 60601 Fax: (312) 327-5261 E-mail: contact.ftpo@ubifrance.fr

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