"Today, we're going to be playing God or Goddess or some combination of the two," Riley said, standing at the front of the room. "That's because today's game selection is Sim City."

Ah, the city building simulation that had caused Riley to curse and throw things in the past. He was over that now. Really.

"Sim City is an open-ended city-building computer and console video game series originally designed by developer Will Wright. It is published by Maxis. The game was first published in 1989 as Sim City, and it has spawned several different editions sold worldwide. The player, which is you, must define zones, each having limits on the kind of development that can occur there. Development of the zones is not performed directly by the player, but happens when certain conditions are met, such as power supply, adequate transport links or acceptable tax level. The residential zones, in green, provide housing for Sims; the commercial zones, in blue, provide shops and offices; and the industrial zones, in yellow, provide factories, laboratories and farms."

Riley's big problem had always been pollution when he'd been into the game. "As the game progresses, the player must provide such things as healthcare, public safety, educational buildings, parks and entertainment buildings. And you have to do this while maintaining a fine line of taxing the citizens enough to earn money but not enough to tick them off. Oh, and watch out for natural disasters. Time to play Sim City!"

Lecture done, Riley and his lack of eyeglasses left the students to play Sim City.