Leave it to NASA to create the Mars Rover game, a browser and phone game that's simultaneously adorable, educational, and addictive. Released in honor of the fourth anniversary of the Curiosity rover's ongoing Mars mission, the game is a side-scroller that lets players drive along the surface of the Red Planet and learn about its environment.
The object of the Mars Rover game is to guide the rover across the planet and search for water, just like Curiosity's mission in real-life. Players get points for distance traveled and amount of water found.
While the game gives text lessons on the Curiosity rover, the similarities between the Mars Rover game and the actual rover are slim. The Curiosity rover moves at about 2 inches per second, far slower than in the game, and the real Curiosity rover cannot respond to operators' direction in real time because Mars is to too far away.
What's Driving This Trend
- Educational Gaming
- The Mars Rover game highlights the potential of educational gaming in engaging and educating the public.
- Space Exploration
- The popularity of the Mars Rover game reflects an increased interest in and relevance of space exploration.
- Simulation & Training
- The Mars Rover game offers potential for simulation and training applications in the aerospace industry.
Who This Affects Most
- Gaming
- The success of the Mars Rover game demonstrates the potential for educational and engaging gaming content.
- Aerospace
- The Mars Rover game highlights the relevance and excitement of the aerospace industry, including space exploration and simulation/training technology.
- Education
- The Mars Rover game shows the potential for engaging and interactive educational content about space exploration and technology.
