A Way To Bring History Into The Lives Of Children
A game is essentially a structured form of interactive play, often undertaken for pure fun or entertainment, and at times used as a teaching tool. Games are very different from work, which often is carried out only for remuneration, and by definition are not primarily an expression of artistic or social psychological aspects. Work is built on the structure of work; games are built around the structure of fun. People play games because they are relaxing and entertaining. It’s often said that, with a game, ‘the money don’t buy play’.
Game design has come of age, with the introduction of the first mass-market computer games. Computer games combine aspects of entertainment, relaxation and even competition into one cohesive whole, delivering a potent dose of enjoyment across all generations. The potential for truly huge profits was sealed in stone years ago with the invention of the personal computer, a machine which revolutionized the entire computer games industry. Now, computer games have reached a new zenith with all the possible titles such as Call of Duty, Guitar Hero and other genres of online multiplayer games, offering countless hours of amusement and gratification to the millions who seek release from their hectic day.
Computer games are increasingly complex, incorporating a multitude of features and options into the package. Video game designers have managed to create environments which feel alive, challenging and rewarding to all players. New features such as player versus player, team play and player versus environment have broken down the inherent barriers associated with the traditional board game, creating a truly immersive experience. These features are found in everything from MMORPGs (massive multi-player online role-playing games) to the immensely popular World of Warcraft (online computer game) and other massively multiplayer online games. Players have learned to adjust to the environment, to take advantage of their abilities and to build their characters and strategies against other players within a constantly changing world, which has become the very essence of games.
Not everyone prefers to play video games. Many adults and younger children find the complexity of the video games overwhelming, even though they have the hardware to support it. This is why there are so many kids’ board games out there, appealing to the child in all of us. Chris Crawford, creator of the popular children’s board game Lemonade Tycoon, has managed to combine the joys of playing video games with the unique design features of a classic children’s board game. His product offers something for both the hardcore gamer and the more sedate gamer.
The beauty of the game comes from its colorful, hand-painted design elements, and the way in which all these little characters move and interact. Players enjoy the beautifully rendered characters, and also enjoy the different game styles, from adventure, trivia and memory games, to hidden objects and fighting games, all with the added benefits of video game-like extras that the adults can use to get some extra points. Players will find that the different age groups will all have something to love about the game, from all the different memory and concentration tests that the characters have to pass, to the quick thinking strategies that the player uses to win each level. The game comes with an exciting storyline, featuring several different story lines that the players can choose to follow. All players will find that the different age groups can all get something to enjoy from the game, from the simple puzzles to the more challenging strategy and fighting games.
A young adult, who is just as attracted to video games as any other player, would be delighted with the positive reinforcement that the game gives them for picking up the controller and starting to play. It is important for parents to get their children involved in the various activities that they are playing, whether it be physically, mentally or through board games. A parent must hold the mouse button down to start the game, release to pause, and spend a few moments teaching the child how to control the character through its controls. The young player will learn that they are not the only ones with this kind of knowledge, but that older players can also have fun using the special functions of the game to learn new strategies and tactics.