I SPY Castles and Dragons—Oh, my! (Plus a giveaway!)
By Guest Blogger on October 24th, 2011
How good are your sleuthing skills? How much do you know about castles? Our friend from Scholastic Media, Amabel Fulgencio, is here today with some neat I SPY news! Take it away, Amabel…
With Halloween around the corner, many of you, like me, are probably drumming up all your creativity and digging deep into your imagination for the perfect costume. Imagination and creativity—it’s the stuff of childhood. I think harkening the days of our own childhood and experiencing Halloween with our own children is what makes it so much fun for us grownups.
Imagination and creativity are the fuel behind what we do at Scholastic Media. This is particularly true when we create interactive games based on I SPY. I SPY is just one of the book series we’ve turned into immersive games—turning books like I SPY Treasure Hunt, I SPY Fantasy and I SPY Spooky Night into elaborate hidden objects games. How many times have you and your child read an I SPY book and imagined what it would be like to go on a treasure hunt, travel to outer space or explore a mysterious house?
We often ask ourselves this very same question when we look for new I SPY games to create. Inherently, we ask “If I were a kid, what would I want to do, play and explore?” This year, that answer was a castle!
The theme of a castle had yet to be explored in the I SPY universe, which made this project all the more intriguing, since we draw inspiration and creative direction from the I SPY books. Imagination and creativity is what makes our jobs so much fun, and I SPY Castle for Nintendo DS was especially so as we looked to develop a castle environment that kids could go in and explore the different rooms and areas of as well as reveal the story and history behind it. All the riddles in the game live within rooms or areas of the castle like the throne room, the banquet hall, a princess’ bedroom, the moat or the armory. Unlike previous I SPY DS games, I SPY Castle riddles include mini-games like jousting, making potions or archery to solve riddles as well as door puzzles that open more areas of the castle to explore. Where do the dragons come in, you ask? Well, let’s just say that the castle is called ‘Dragon Castle’ and there’s a good reason why (wink, wink).
GIVEAWAY: Enter the I SPY Castle Giveaway for a chance to win your very own copy of the new Nintendo DS Game! Go with your imagination and tell us why you think the castle is called ‘Dragon Castle’ by posting a comment below that includes your email address by 5:00 PM (ET) on Friday, October 28, 2011 and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a copy of the new I SPY Castle Nintendo DS video game. Five winners will be randomly selected from eligible entries. Read the official rules here. (Giveaway open to U.S. residents only; must be 18 or older to enter.)
UPDATE: The giveaway is now closed. Congrats to our five randomly-selected winners: Alison, Tanya, ISPY Fan, Holly, and Susan! Thanks for playing, everyone!
Posted: October 24th, 2011 under More News. Tags: giveaways, I Spy, Scholastic Media.
41 comments
Comments
Boy, would my daughter love to have this game–she loves I Spy!
We think the castle is called Dragon Castle because it’s so big, your feet will be draggin’ after you’ve walked around it for a while.
Or . . . because it has a DRAGON in the dungeon?
Comment on October 24, 2011 at 5:33 pm
Dragon Castle was named after the first owner who was a dragon slayer and the castle is coincidentally located on One Dragon Way, FireSpitVille
Comment on October 24, 2011 at 5:34 pm
Like mac & cheese…dragons & castles.
Comment on October 24, 2011 at 5:35 pm
I think it is called dragon castle because dragons used to live there
Comment on October 24, 2011 at 5:40 pm
Can I play it first to “test it” before I give it to my daughter?
Comment on October 24, 2011 at 5:41 pm
I think it’s called Dragon Castle because they only breed and sell special green dragon eggs there, and you can only get one if you can go through the entire castle finding the clues on where the eggs are hidden.
My middle son would LOVE this, he grew up being a HUGE HUGE I Spy fan. Thanks for the opportunity!
Comment on October 24, 2011 at 5:46 pm
Is it called Dragon Castle because its walls are hard to “scale?” (cue rimshot) 
No, I think maybe a dragon lives in the deeps below this castle and maybe you have to follow certain clues to find its lair. Whatever the reason, this sounds like a great game!
Comment on October 24, 2011 at 6:53 pm
Dragon castle is actually an acronym for Damsals Reading Another Great Outstanding Novel and of course, this would happen in a castle.
Comment on October 24, 2011 at 8:19 pm
Dragon Castle was the home of the world’s largest and oldest dragon family. The castle was built immense in size in order to hold their vast family treasure. One can find trinkets displayed in every room, nook & cranny, but fortune seekers beware – it’s rumored that there’s a mysterious presence guarding the treasure trove to this day.
Comment on October 24, 2011 at 9:10 pm
I think it is called Dragon Castle because there is an invisible magical dragon that protects the castle.
Comment on October 24, 2011 at 10:06 pm
A friendly dragon lives in one of the towers. He has always been an iSpy fan and during his retirement decided to make a game of it.
Comment on October 24, 2011 at 10:43 pm
Because there is nothing better than a Dragon Castle.
Comment on October 25, 2011 at 12:21 am
My oldest kids own and have played every I Spy game for PC there is – our favorite is Spooky Mansion. Now my youngest (10) loves them too. Can’t wait to add this to our collection.
We think the castle is actually a cursed dragon which comes to life more and more as you explore. By the time you finish the puzzles, you’ve freed the dragon and he gives you his treasure and eternal friendship
Comment on October 25, 2011 at 12:22 am
How could one not have a dragon castle. Dragons are either good or bad plus they are so cool to look at and have hordes? There is a lot to spy in a castle but then to add a dragon, that is super iSpy!
Comment on October 25, 2011 at 12:22 am
How can you not love castles and dragons, they go so well together like cookies and milk! My son loves the I spy games and I’m a new librarian and I really enjoy seeing the I Spy books being checked out!!!
Comment on October 25, 2011 at 9:46 am
I think it’s called Dragon Castle because there is a legend about a dragon haunting it.
Comment on October 25, 2011 at 10:17 am
I think it is called Dragon Castle because it is guarded by ferocious fire breathing dragons
Comment on October 25, 2011 at 12:24 pm
I think it’s called Dragon Castle because it creates creativity within our children. Dragons are not real but children play dragons all the time, which is a very creative and popular game for our children. I SPY is a very creative game and children everywhere love it! My daughter is a HUGE I SPY fan and would love to have this game!
Comment on October 25, 2011 at 12:51 pm
We think it’s called Dragon Castle because the Castle was built around an old grandpa dragon that didn’t want to leave his royal family and he would be there always with them even when he went on to the next world. Now that he is gone, his dragon children and grandchildren always has a place to play at the castle with his family.
Comment on October 25, 2011 at 12:52 pm
Dragon castle…..is ruled by the fiercest dragon slayer that ever lived….King Bigguy. King Bigguy once slayed a dragon the size of the Grand Canyon!
Comment on October 25, 2011 at 1:02 pm
Dragon Castle is called Dragon Castle because it’s in a kingdom of dragons! They can have castles too, right?
Comment on October 25, 2011 at 1:36 pm
I think it’s called dragon castle because it’s a castle full of dragons then help knights find treasures and protect the king from the evil witch 
Comment on October 25, 2011 at 1:39 pm
It ‘s called the Dragon Castle because there is a special Guardian Angel Dragon guarding it. The Dragon protects the beautiful princess that lives there and only she can see the Dragon. Each night the Dragon stops by to watch the beautiful princess sleeping, she knows and feels happy that she is protected by this amazing and brave Dragon.
WOW my kids would love to game, Birthdays in November, perfect timing ! lol
Comment on October 25, 2011 at 1:40 pm
My daughter and my son both spend hours looking at I spy books that they get from the library….Dragon Castle looks really intersting due to the fact what castle doesn’t have dragons in legends!!!!
Comment on October 25, 2011 at 1:42 pm
I think the Dragon Castle name comes from the Dragon royal family, but especially from Nicholas Dragon. Nicholas was a prince but also very known thief. When he tried to steal a dragon’s treasure, he was cursed into a dragon. He turns into one when ever he gets angry! To help break the curse, you have to find hidden clues around the castle to build a potion that will save Prince Nicholas.
My little niece help me come with the reason. She and I really want to play this game!!
Comment on October 25, 2011 at 1:42 pm
It’s called Dragon Castle because Dungeons and Dragons was already taken.
My daughter will love this game!
Comment on October 25, 2011 at 1:45 pm
Because a dragon lives there, of course!
Comment on October 25, 2011 at 2:00 pm
It’s called Dragon Castle because there is a different colored dragon that is hidden in each turret. Each colored dragon can do special powers and if you find that dragon, you will be able to also do that power. Like the red dragon can breathe fire and you will be able to burn your way thru any obstacle to find the next dragon, which can be a blue dragon that allows you to swim. Then you can swim underneath the moat to find a secret passageway to the green dragon….and so on…Love DrAgOnS!!
Comment on October 25, 2011 at 2:48 pm
What a perfect combination. My son loves castles and ISpy. Thanks for putting them together.
Comment on October 25, 2011 at 3:01 pm
Oh, my daughter would love this game for her DS!
We think it’s called Dragon Castle because the people who go inside get the ability to shift into a dragon!
Comment on October 25, 2011 at 3:51 pm
My son LOVES I Spy DS and Wii games. He thinks it’s called Dragon Castle because once you unlock all of the clues the dragon comes out (is realeased).
Comment on October 25, 2011 at 4:06 pm
It would be called Dragon Castle, because it is a haven for them. There are all types of dragons who are taking things and hiding them in the castle so they can protect them. I is the players job to get into the castle, past the dragons and then search the castle for the items that had been taken.
Comment on October 25, 2011 at 5:16 pm
I think it is called Dragon Castle because a dragon must live there. The dragon lives there to protect the castle. I bet he lives in the moat.
Comment on October 25, 2011 at 6:10 pm
From certain angles, the front of the castle can look like a dragon.
Comment on October 25, 2011 at 9:17 pm
My 5 year old son Mason says “There is a dragon right there (in the picture, on top of the castle) it’s a dragon castle!’
Comment on October 26, 2011 at 8:56 am
It’s called Dragon Castle, because all of the Dragons live there. You must be a Dragon in order to enter the castle. In order to enter the castle you have to disguise yourself as a dragon otherwise you will be booted out of the castle.
Comment on October 26, 2011 at 1:20 pm
I think it must be this way because you go around flying on your dragon (like in the movie How to Train Your Dragon) in order to battle and complete quests.
Comment on October 26, 2011 at 1:48 pm
What’s a castle without a dragon (or two or three). I’m sure there are numerous dragon secrets, stories and activities that are revealed through out the game.
Comment on October 28, 2011 at 2:23 pm
its called a dragon castle because dragons can live there in harmony without predaors trying to come about!
Thanks for this splendid giveaway
Comment on October 28, 2011 at 2:49 pm
Just wanted to say that my daughter got her game today and she’s loving it. She really enjoys the ability to scroll around with the stylus. I’m hearing a lot of “Oh, WOW. That is just awesome! Look, Mommy!” Thanks so much for sending it!
Comment on November 4, 2011 at 1:31 pm
