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Ask HN: What is your generation Oregon Trail?

8 points by cmusfan ↗ HN
I fondly remember playing Oregon Trail in the computer lab. What has replaced that in modern classrooms? Or if you predate, or didn't have Oregon trail what was your experience? Are there any modern equivalents to your version example open-source clones, etc.

6 comments

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GhettoComputers
>What has replaced that in modern classrooms?

You mean free game bundled with your OS?

Nokia: Snake

Windows: "3D Pinball for Windows – Space Cadet" or Solitare

TI83: If it was used, hopefully phoenix.

If you want a good EV Nova clone https://endless-sky.github.io/

Roller coaster tycoon: https://github.com/OpenRCT2/OpenRCT2

www.addictinggames.com

toast0
Not really free game bundled with the OS (although the Oregon Trail was in some home PC bundles).

More like game that was tolerated or more likely encouraged to be played during school time. In my 4th-6th grade levels, we'd regularly (once or twice a month) go to computer lab, where we'd have an hour maybe? to fiddle around with the computers. Sometimes there was a specific program we were working on, sometimes it was free choice. In 2nd-6th grade we also had a computer or two in the classroom as one possible free choice activity (or in 2nd grade, I'd always be finishing my work early and asking for 'special permission to play with the computer'), but the software selection was all at least mildly educational. Oregon Trail and Number/Word Munchers were a staple. If nothing else, everyone in my class learned not to go on a trip with 5 people all named the same thing, because it's confusing when someone gets dysentery.

jimmygrapes
Not exactly my generation, but I've been in and out of college/university classes for years. One thing that stood out to me about 6 years ago was that every computer lab had a version of Windows 10 installed which included Candy Crush (the original, normal version). By that time Candy Crush was already old hat and had a thousand offshoots on mobile platforms, but even still, I watched several freshmen take breaks from whatever they were doing to play it.

So that's my answer. Candy Crush.

muzani
My kids' generation: Roblox.

This is the lockdown generation, so it's also the way to socialize with real world friends.

vlark
You talk about Oregon Trail, but Where in the World is Carmen San Diego on the Apple II was my jam.