Electronic Arts has given the original SimCity title to the non-profit initiative, One Laptop Per Child, for installation in its cheap laptops. The machines, complete with wi-fi functionality and open-source office applications will be distributed to schools in countries such as Uruguay, Peru, Mexico, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Haiti, Cambodia and India. As Gamasutra points out, the game, "demonstrates the impact of various power sources and provides a socioeconomic simulation, among other features". Apparently EA hopes it will, "provide children with a way to engage with computers while learning decision-making skills".
It's a great idea and SimCity is the perfect candidate, not only for the educational benefits of the gameplay, but for the open-ended nature of the experience. SimCity's sandbox structure perfectly compliments the philosophy of the OLPC project - to provide tools to children but also to allow them to express themselves through these tools.
So, what other recreational games do you think should make it into these laptops? Civilization, obviously, along with any of the dozens of Tycoon titles spawned by the casual gaming scene lately. What else?
