Comments on: Computer Game Giveaway: Itza Bitza

By: Margaret Johnson

Margaret Johnson — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 20:41:37 +0000

Thank you very much for reviewing our game – ItzaBitza. I’m a mom of two girls who didn’t like the game options for my kids…so I got a passionate team that mixes up guys that have designed AAA games for Xbox and PS2 with a group of learning scientists led by Dr. John Bransford (UW). I just can’t stop thinking – what IF all our kids had a love of lifelong reading? And we REALLY got into creativity with our Living Ink technology that delights children as their drawings come to life. We worked hard to fuse in the 30 years of cognitive psychology on how people learn that Dr. Bransford has research as well as with Dr. Diana Sharp – a wonderful person and reading specialist who does guest posts on our blog (http://tinyurl.com/cknz6d).

katrina – about the locked play sets. This is to challenge the child to achieve the next play set (as a reader pointed out is more similar to Wii games for example). In addition, the play sets “level up” in reading, so while “Home Sweet Home” starts with “Please draw me a house.” – what we call “level 1″ subsequent play sets have sentences that are richer with less literal task the child has to help Sketchy with. For example, in the Haunted House the child the avatar will ask your child to draw something on the floor – i.e.: placement.

You are right – finding out how to feed the frog is not intuitive. This is by design. Why? Because a little frustration that leads to figuring out gives children the sense of accomplishment and pride when they do. Of course, we don’t want to frustrate the child TOO much. The good news is there are many other stars to collect, so your child can move on.

Again – thank you Katrina – and all the readers. Please feel free to email me your comments – margaret@sabigames.com, or follow me on Twitter @itzabitza.

Also – ItzaBitza doesn’t have alot of awareness in retail and the retailers are VERY skittish right now about what they carry..(certainly this post helps!) so I decided to offer $5 off if you buy ItzaBitza at Office Max or Best Buy through April…um…ItzaBitza goes surprisingly well with Peeps (just putting it out there!). More on this promotion at http://tinyurl.com/dyu79l

Thank you and enjoy!!!!
Margaret, CEO Sabi
(creators of ItzaBiza – http://www.itzaBitza.com)

By: alemos

alemos — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 20:04:27 +0000

I love the art. How they encourage the kids to add on. We go through soooooooo much paper that it would be nice to be able to do it on the computer. Great contest.

By: Jennifer, Snapshot

Jennifer, Snapshot — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 17:42:21 +0000

Oh wow — I LOVE this. Please please pick me. If not, I think I’ll have to download it myself.

Why do I like it? Well, Kyle is an early-reader, and this is EXACTLY how he learned to read — seeing words (on TV mostly :{ ) and then getting them confirmed with actions or the spoken word, so I think he would like it a lot.

Also, the “opening levels” thing — he really really loves that. As you know many of the Wii games (including Boom Blox) have levels you have to open and he gets very excited to do that.

The computer is fought over here all the time as well. ALL the time.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:58:10 +0000

This looks awesome, and perfect for my emerging reading kindergartener! My 2 year old LIVES to draw (I have to hide any writing implement for fear of his inner Picasso coming out all over the furniture) so I know he’d love it too. I like that it helps with reading skills.

By: Lindsay @ bytesofmemory

Lindsay @ bytesofmemory — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:23:57 +0000

I think the different areas they can explore is a neat feature. The fact that they have so many different locations. This will help them learn to draw many different shapes.

By: Dianne

Dianne — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:44:40 +0000

I have lots of nieces and nephews in the perfect age range for something like this. One would love the encouragement to draw and a couple others are chomping at the bit to become readers! So put my name in the hat (I promise I won’t keep it for myself – ha!)

By: Code Yellow Mom

Code Yellow Mom — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:12:26 +0000

I’ve been on the lookout for a fun games for my 4yo but have been reluctant to buy anything without knowing a little more or hearing from someone else about it. I’m glad you tried this one out.

I love the fact that words are read aloud so he can figure out the instructions on his own. I also love that ItzaBitza builds on creativity and imagination and combines it with early reading skills. I know that Henry will be thrilled to try for new settings and earn stars – he’s getting to be quite the little guru.

oooooooo! I hope I win.

By: Bonnie

Bonnie — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:09:29 +0000

My boys are a little old for this but sounds great. I can relate to your “sharing the computer” dilemma. We only have one for the whole family. I would love to get a laptop so I could “sneak” off and do my thing.

By: Alicia @ Experiencing Each Moment

Alicia @ Experiencing Each Moment — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 06:38:49 +0000

I love this idea! My son is very anti-drawing, anti-art, but he loves computers. So if he could start to see what drawing could offer him by being so interactive, I think it would really open him up. I love it!