MindShapes is an educational virtual gaming and app development firm based in London. It was co-founded by Shukri Shammas and Sami Labbabidi, who both, along with a small multidisciplinary team, bring extensive experience in the interactive, virtual gaming world. Both Shammas and Labbabidi worked at Playfish, a leading social game development firm.

MindShapes diverges from Playfish in their focus on children’s interactive, virtual-world-based games, like MagicTown, that are tied directly to learning objectives. MagicTown combines a virtual world with popular children's lit characters and was developed with Harvard early childhood cognition expert Paul Harris. The group also creates games for adults like this as-yet-released language acquisition experience.

Unique Point of Difference

MindShapes backs up their "fun factor" with hard-science. Also, the integration of popular children's lit characters is a fun take on gaming in an increasingly saturated space.

EdLab Relevance
Early childhood and the EdLab? Will we ever dip our toes into this tricky realm? Many have tried, but few have succeeded! If we were to make a foray into applications for the very young, who could we reach out to here at Teachers College, Columbia University? What would we offer that is truly unique and valuable for young minds?

Our Takeaway
MindShapes and MagicTown have the science and team to create truly unique and potentially valuable apps and games for young learners and the young at heart.