The source code for the original SimCity Classic is open source, called "Micropolis": https://code.google.com/p/micropolis https://code.google.com/p/micropolis

The source code for the original SimCity Classic is open source, called "Micropolis": https://code.google.com/p/micropolis https://code.google.com/p/micropolis While it's nowhere near as fancy as the latest version, there are other directions to take it than adding lots of bells and whistles and complexity. It's simplicity makes it idea for general education, as well as specifically learning about programming, game development and modding, and it's much easier for younger children (and even adults) to grasp and understand. Doreen Nelson wrote the original SimCity teacher's guide, and her life's work has been "Design Based Learning", like Seymour Papert and Alan Kay's "Constructionist Education" philosophy. I believe SimCity Classic could be developed into a fun and wonderful educational tool, inspired by that work. About Design Based Learning: http://www.csupomona.edu/~dnelson/intro.html http://www.csupomona.edu/~dnelson/intro.html http://www.csupomona.edu/~dnelson/library.html http://www.csupomona.edu/~dnelson/library.html These are delightfully retro but timeless videos that are inspirational and still totally relevant to SimCity: City Building Education: A Way to Learn. Written and produced by Doreen Nelson and David Olney through the Office of Charles Eames, l976. 11 mins. (This is well worth watching for the music by Morton Subotnick!) http://video.csupomona.edu/DNelson/CityBuilding-245.asx http://video.csupomona.edu/DNelson/CityBuilding-245.asx Classroom City. Written, directed and produced by Doreen Nelson, l981. Looks at City Building's methods in various classroom settings: traditional, migrant teacher training and educationally handicapped. Students from the first City Building class of l969 are revisited. 16 mins. http://video.csupomona.edu/DNelson/ClassroomCity-245.asx http://video.csupomona.edu/DNelson/ClassroomCity-245.asx