Free download 'WolfQuest' allows gamers to follow call of wild

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) A new video game developed by the Minnesota Zoo and St. Paul-based software developer Eduweb (eh-doo-web) allows players to follow the call of the wild.

"Wolfquest" has players take on the perspective of a wolf living in Yellowstone National Park. Players learn how to hunt, survive, defend territory, find a mate and establish their own pack.

The first episode of the game was released last night as a free download. By this morning, the servers had bogged down because so many people wanted to try the game.

Project director Grant Spickelmier (spickl-myer), who works at the zoo in Apple Valley, says the kinks should be worked out by tomorrow. He says a test version released on Halloween was downloaded over 40-thousand times.

The game is aimed mainly at players ages 10 to 15. Spickelmier says that's because kids in that age range have largely stopped going to zoos.

On the Net: WolfQuest: http://www.wolfquest.org Minnesota Zoo: http://www.mnzoo.org Eduweb: http://www.eduweb.com National Institute on Media and the Family: http://www.mediafamily.org (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 12-21-07 1703CST | save this article / add to your favorites list