Fin Fin on Teo the Magic Planet is a children's educational computer game that was released in 1996. It was designed to teach kids aged 3 to 7 about the environment and conservation. The game takes place on the fictional planet of Teo, which is inhabited by a variety of magical creatures. The main character is Fin Fin, a friendly fish who has the ability to fly and talk. Fin Fin guides the player through various activities and challenges as they explore the planet. One of the key themes of the game is environmental conservation.
The technology of Fin Fin is so advanced that it's simple to use, even for very young children. No mouse or keyboard is needed. Kids interact with Fin Fin using a sensory input device called a SmartSensor TM , which mounts on top of the PC and acts as the eyes and ears of Fin Fin, bringing the sounds and motions of the user into Fin Fin's world. It's a natural interface for children -portending the shape of things to come as computer interfaces become ever-simpler to use.
Or he might become distracted by a passing Shellbeetle a winged insect that looks like a clam , a Treecat a cross between a monkey and a cat , or any of the many other strange yet weirdly familiar animals that inhabit Teo s rich ecosystem. With Fin Fin, we ve created an entirely new kind of entertainment experience for children, especially for girls, said Yoshi Matsumoto, senior vice president of Fujitsu Interactive.
One of the key themes of the game is environmental conservation. Players are tasked with helping Fin Fin and his friends clean up the planet and protect its natural resources. They can plant trees, recycle waste, and clean up pollution in order to restore the planet to its former glory.
Fin fin on teo the magic planet
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., March 31, 1997 - Turn on your PCs, kids, Fin Fin TM 's coming in for a landing. Half-dolphin, half-bird, Fin Fin is the star of "Fin Fin on Teo, the Magic Planet TM ," Fujitsu Interactive's debut CD-ROM title coming to stores in April. Fin Fin is the world's first commercially available, computer-generated Believable Agent incorporating Artificial Life technology. As a "Believable Agent," Fin Fin, astonishingly, is capable of feeling emotion, learning, and developing a relationship with children. Kids as young as four years old can walk up to the computer and start talking to the little critter, watching him fly and eat and respond to them. Over time, the child and her cyber pet can actually become friends. Thus, Fin Fin entertains and at the same time teaches positive social interaction skills. As a bonus, Fin Fin's brand new, child-friendly user interface helps even tiny tots become comfortable with computing.
"With Fin Fin, we've created an entirely new kind of entertainment experience for children, especially for girls," said Yoshi Matsumoto, senior vice president of Fujitsu Interactive. "We've taken interaction to the next level with a seemingly alive creature who actually feels and responds to emotion. We think that learning to care for a virtual friend will help children come to understand, in a completely new, interesting and fun way, how their behavior can affect other beings."
A Whole New World
Each relationship in life is unique. It's the same with Fin Fin because, like a child, he is an independent, unpredictable being with a rich emotional life. He is delighted by kindness and saddened by cruelty. If someone shouts at him, he might squeal with fear and retreat to the safety of his nest. But if a child is nice to him, Fin Fin might launch into acrobatic flying dances or burst into song (he knows more than 60 haunting melodies). Over time, he and the child can become close friends.
But his exact responses can vary depending on his inner mood or what is going on in the world of Teo around him. He may suddenly fly off to one of Teo's rivers to dive for fish or a bath or a drink. Or he might become distracted by a passing Shellbeetle (a winged insect that looks like a clam), a Treecat (a cross between a monkey and a cat), or any of the many other strange yet weirdly familiar animals that inhabit Teo's rich ecosystem. When a child offers Fin Fin a bright red Lemo fruit he might take it, or he might prefer to go after Tsubu nuts, Yaika leaves or fish - for Teo's flora is as varied as its fauna.
Just as Fin Fin responds to kindness, he is moved by the beauty of his world - of the geckoso, a white flower that blooms in the moonlight, of rainbows, of auroras. That is the magic of Fin Fin on Teo, the Magic Planet. It takes a rainforest-covered world from far out in space and brings it down to earth for the enjoyment and enrichment of children.
Technology So Advanced It's Child's Play
In Fin Fin, Fujitsu Ltd., the largest computer company in Japan, in association with the Carnegie Mellon Institute, has combined high-caliber animation with eight years and $30 million worth of research and development into the most advanced Artificial Life and Believable Agent technology.
Interestingly, though the technology is so advanced, artists have led the project from its inception. The selection of Makoto Tezka, a well-known director of Japanese films, as Executive Producer of the Teo Project, underlines the importance of Fin Fin's believability, especially in his behavior and emotional capacity.
The result is a seemingly alive creature that thinks for himself, feels emotions and responds to his magical world, planet Teo - as well as to people. And now Fujitsu has launched San Francisco-based Fujitsu Interactive to bring Fin Fin and other multimedia titles to the U.S. consumer market.
The technology of Fin Fin is so advanced that it's simple to use, even for very young children. No mouse or keyboard is needed. Kids interact with Fin Fin using a sensory input device called a SmartSensor TM , which mounts on top of the PC and acts as the eyes and ears of Fin Fin, bringing the sounds and motions of the user into Fin Fin's world. It's a natural interface for children -portending the shape of things to come as computer interfaces become ever-simpler to use.
Product Availability
Fin Fin on Teo, the Magic Planet is available immediately from software retail stores. The suggested retail price is $59.95.
About Fujitsu Interactive
Fujitsu Interactive's corporate mission is to be a world leader in publishing innovative current and next-generation computer-based multimedia software, with a focus on development in its pioneering new category, "Artificial Life."The company's long-term goal is to redefine and transform the computer-user interface and the computing experience from interactive to experiential - enabling users to actually build a relationship with computer characters through Artificial Life technology.
Incorporated in May 1996 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, Fujitsu Interactive, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fujitsu, Ltd., Japan's largest computer company.
Contacts:
| Mary Lynn Slattery Fujitsu Interactive Tel: 415.538.2935 e-mail: [email protected] | Kelly Cytron UpStart Communications Tel: 510.420.7986 e-mail: [email protected] |
admin 2023-07-06 2 points
In addition to teaching kids about the environment, Fin Fin on Teo the Magic Planet also helps develop basic cognitive and motor skills. The game includes puzzles, memory games, and other activities that require problem-solving and coordination. The graphics and sound design of the game are colorful and engaging, drawing children in and keeping them entertained. The characters are designed to be cute and likable, making it easy for kids to relate to and empathize with them. Overall, Fin Fin on Teo the Magic Planet is a fun and educational game for young children. It combines entertainment with important lessons about the environment and conservation. By playing the game, kids can learn valuable skills and develop a sense of responsibility towards the planet..
Reviews for "Teaching Kids about the World through Fin Fin and Teo's Adventures"
1. Jessica - 2 stars
"Fin fin on teo the magic planet" was a big disappointment for me. The storyline was weak and confusing, making it difficult to follow along. Additionally, the illustrations were not very appealing and lacked detail. I found myself losing interest quickly and struggling to finish the book. Overall, I would not recommend this book to others.
2. Mike - 1 star
I really did not enjoy reading "Fin fin on teo the magic planet". The characters were uninteresting and the plot was extremely boring. The writing style was dull and lacked any creativity. I found myself skimming through the pages just to get it over with. It felt like a complete waste of time reading this book.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
"Fin fin on teo the magic planet" was not what I expected. The story was predictable and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. The pacing was off, with some parts dragging on for far too long. The worldbuilding was also lacking, leaving me feeling disconnected from the setting. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Mark - 3 stars
I have mixed feelings about "Fin fin on teo the magic planet". While the concept was intriguing, the execution fell short. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to connect with them. The writing style was decent, but nothing exceptional. I enjoyed some aspects of the book, but ultimately felt underwhelmed by it.