Relentless Unveils Educational Buzz!

Representatives from Relentless Software and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe have announced a new addition to its BAFTA-award winning Buzz! series specifically for schools, called Buzz!: The Schools Quiz. The Buzz! series, first launched in 2005, is a PlayStation 2 exclusive multiplayer quiz game featuring TV game show-like buzzers covering various topics such as music, sports and general knowledge. The new volume of the series, Buzz!: The Schools Quiz retains the quiz format and playability of the previous titles, but adds Key Stage 2 National Curriculum for educational use in primary education. The game has been developed in partnership with the British Department for Education and Skills, and will feature over 5,000 general knowledge questions based on Key Stage 2 Curriculum, with subjects ranging from 'Ancient Egypt' to 'Weather'. Also included in the game are new 'Teacher Features' which, Relentless notes, were added in response to teacher feedback, which gives administrators better control in using the title as a teaching tool. Features include a 'create a quiz' mode to narrow the questions to a single subject area, and new game modes for team play or faster progression. The game will be initially trialled in primary schools across the UK, with sales expected to be offered in summer 2007 should the trials prove successful. Said Relentless co-founder and creative director David Amor, "We're incredibly excited about this project. Using the buzzers and the quiz format means the game is instantly accessible – and works on the basis that kids learn more when they're having fun. Learning games like this will, we hope, give teachers an extra tool in the classroom."