When Classcraft Closed, Teachers Lost More Than Just a Tool

They lost the magic that transformed their classrooms into epic adventures. TeachQuest brings that magic back—and makes it better.

The Rise and Fall of Classcraft

What Made Classcraft Special

For years, Classcraft revolutionized classroom management by transforming traditional learning into an epic RPG adventure. Students chose character classes like Warriors, Mages, and Healers, each with unique abilities that encouraged teamwork and collaboration.

  • Character Classes: Students selected roles that promoted different types of classroom participation
  • Quest System: Assignments became engaging quests that students were excited to complete
  • Experience Points (XP): Academic achievements and positive behavior earned measurable rewards
  • Health Points (HP): Consequences for misbehavior were gamified, making discipline more engaging
  • Boss Battles: Exams and tests transformed into epic encounters that students looked forward to
  • Team-Based Learning: Collaborative gameplay fostered classroom community
  • Avatar Customization: Students personalized their characters, increasing engagement

Why Teachers Loved Classcraft

Educators around the world embraced Classcraft because it did something revolutionary: it made learning genuinely fun while maintaining educational rigor.

🎯 Increased Engagement

Students who were previously disengaged became active participants in their own learning journey.

🤝 Built Community

Team-based mechanics encouraged collaboration and peer support in ways traditional methods couldn't.

📊 Better Behavior

Gamified behavior management made discipline more effective and less confrontational.

✨ Made Learning Fun

The RPG elements transformed mundane tasks into exciting adventures students actually wanted to complete.

The End of an Era: Classcraft's Acquisition

In May 2023, Classcraft was acquired by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH), one of the largest educational technology companies in the world. While this initially seemed like positive news, the transition brought profound changes that left many educators feeling devastated.

When HMH Classcraft launched in February 2024, it became clear that the platform educators had grown to love was fundamentally changed:

  • Lost Customization: The deep RPG mechanics and customization options that made Classcraft unique were simplified or removed
  • Shifted Focus: The platform became tightly integrated with HMH's K-8 ELA and Math curriculum, losing its flexibility
  • Changed Aesthetics: Character designs and game mechanics were altered, diminishing the fantasy RPG appeal
  • Reduced Control: Teachers lost the ability to fully customize quests, spells, and game mechanics to fit their unique classroom needs
  • Lost Identity: The platform that once felt like a revolutionary tool became just another curriculum-aligned product

Teachers who had built years of classroom culture around Classcraft's RPG mechanics suddenly found themselves searching for alternatives that could recapture the magic they'd lost.

The Gap Left Behind

With Classcraft's transformation, a significant void emerged in the educational technology landscape. Teachers tried various alternatives:

  • ClassDojo: Too elementary and lacked the deep RPG mechanics that older students loved
  • Gimkit/Kahoot: Great for quizzes but missing the comprehensive classroom management and character progression
  • Other Gamification Tools: Most lacked the depth, customization, and RPG authenticity that made Classcraft special

None of these alternatives could fully replace what Classcraft had been: a complete RPG experience that transformed entire classrooms into collaborative adventures while maintaining educational integrity.

Enter TeachQuest: The Perfect Classcraft Alternative

Built by educators who understood what made Classcraft special—and designed to make it even better

Why TeachQuest is the True Classcraft Successor

TeachQuest emerged from a simple mission: preserve everything teachers loved about Classcraft while fixing everything that needed improvement. Unlike other alternatives that simplify the experience, TeachQuest maintains and enhances the deep RPG mechanics that made gamification so effective.

✅ Complete RPG System

Four unique character classes (Defender, Wizard, Medic, Augmentor) with deep talent trees and progression systems that rival the original Classcraft.

🎨 Unlimited Customization

Unlike HMH Classcraft's limitations, TeachQuest gives teachers complete control over spells, quests, potions, and every game mechanic.

⚔️ Epic Features

Raid battles, solo dungeons, campaigns, custom spells, potions, pet systems, and more—everything Classcraft had, plus new innovations.

👨‍🏫 Teacher-First Design

Built specifically for classroom teachers, not corporate training. Every feature serves real classroom needs, not just curriculum alignment.

Features That Match—and Exceed—Classcraft

🎮 Character Classes & Progression

TeachQuest's four classes (Defender, Wizard, Medic, Augmentor) offer the same strategic depth as Classcraft's original three, with unique abilities, talent trees, and progression paths that keep students engaged throughout the school year.

⚔️ Epic Raids & Boss Battles

Transform exams into epic adventures just like Classcraft did, but with enhanced mechanics including solo dungeons, repeatable challenges, and more sophisticated boss mechanics.

📜 Quests & Assignments

The quest system that made Classcraft special is not just preserved—it's enhanced with custom quest builders, question banks, branching storylines, and campaign systems that let teachers create truly epic adventures.

✨ Magic & Spells

Students cast spells to help teammates, defend against attacks, and gain special abilities—just like Classcraft, but with more customization options and teacher-created spell libraries.

🤝 Team Collaboration

The team-based mechanics that fostered classroom community in Classcraft are fully preserved, with enhanced collaboration features and flexible team creation options.

🎲 Random Encounters

Keep classrooms dynamic with daily random events just like Classcraft, but with fully customizable libraries and effects that teachers can tailor to their specific needs.

What Makes TeachQuest Better Than HMH Classcraft

Not just a replacement—a true evolution of classroom gamification

The Key Differences

🎯 Complete Control vs. Limited Customization

While HMH Classcraft restricts customization to align with their curriculum, TeachQuest gives teachers unlimited control over every aspect of the game. Create custom spells, design unique quests, build your own campaigns—make it yours.

🎮 Deep RPG Mechanics vs. Simplified Features

TeachQuest maintains the deep RPG mechanics that made Classcraft engaging, while HMH Classcraft simplified these systems. Our talent trees, character progression, and strategic gameplay elements remain as rich and complex as teachers remember.

👨‍🏫 Teacher-First vs. Curriculum-First

TeachQuest is built for teachers, by teachers. We prioritize classroom management, engagement, and fun—not curriculum alignment. Use it with any curriculum, any subject, any grade level.

🚀 Innovation vs. Stagnation

While HMH Classcraft focuses on integration, TeachQuest continues to innovate. New features like solo dungeons, parent dashboards, cross-classroom data transfer, and comprehensive activity centers keep the platform evolving.

💰 Free vs. Paywall

TeachQuest is currently free to use, making it accessible to all educators. We believe in the power of gamification and want every teacher to have access to these tools.

"When Classcraft closed, my classroom felt empty and devoid of the joy that gamification brought. ClassDojo was fine, but far too elementary for my middle school students. I was elated to find TeachQuest and I use it every day in my classroom. The students love their characters and pets, they love the classroom raids and the self-paced campaigns. It's a wonderful classroom management tool, where positive behaviors earn them real world treasure such as moving seats or music time, and helping their teammates builds a classroom community."

— Real Teacher Feedback

Ready to Rediscover the Magic?

Join thousands of teachers who have found their Classcraft alternative in TeachQuest. Transform your classroom into an epic adventure today.

TeachQuest is currently free to use — no credit card required