Skills Enhancing Games
When it comes to games my preference are those that have an ending. I do not stop playing a game that attracts me until I reach the end (this applies to movies and books too). If I chose games that keep on having updates or new versions, I might be one of those they call “game addicts''. There’s also a possibility that I’ll completely stop playing the game especially if I realize that my life is about to be ruined because of my addiction to that game. I’ll then shift all my energy to something that I know is more relevant and can help me (or others) improve. I erased the word “selfishness” in my vocabulary and replaced it with “selfless”.
Offering help to others and seeing them succeed is an accomplishment to me, that makes me happy. That made me forget the games I used to play. I never realized that those games helped me improve my grammar and vocabulary. It also pushed me to think critically. When I was in school, I remember how my classmates were amazed with my knowledge on several matters including my English communication skill, but I think it was just flattery.
I do not believe my outputs are "amazing". That’s the main reason I doubt if their praises were sincere or they're only treating me kindly. Whatever it was, I am thankful to them. They helped me boost my self-confidence. I got strength to stand on stages because of their praises. They believed in my capabilities so my talents were showcased.
The people who believe in us and give support (morally, financially, etc.) all throughout are treasures. That is why we must never burn the bridges we created. By doing so, more bridges will be built that will connect us to more possibilities.
Collaboration (not competition) must be our priority. Competing with one another might produce negative results that may create a domino effect. Many people might get affected including the innocents. That will change their perspective of the world and repeat the bad history to avenge.
If we do not change, it is certain that the cycle will continue.
Chaos will not end. Peace will be impossible to be attained. Our actions to achieve prosperity might end up in vain.
I am disappointed with what’s happening these days, but discouragement is not felt yet. I’ll keep an optimistic mindset. That attitude helped me succeed in the games I played. Within a day or two, I was able to hit my goal or reach the end.
Below are some of the computer games I once had difficulty in winning, but now, it only takes a day or two for me to reach my aim.
1. Bookworm Deluxe
A game that is like a scrabble, but it is more challenging because of the “burning tiles”. The “action mode” makes the game more difficult because burning tiles come nonstop. Classic mode is the calm version and getting a high score here is easier as long as the burning tiles are attended before they reach the bottom because it’s hard to find words in that row. The best feature that I believe has enhanced my vocabulary is the part when the meaning of a certain word pops as the word is entered by the player and eaten by the apple green worm.2. Blooming Daisies
A calming game that can help the player discover his/her landscaping skill and other talents not yet discovered. This can also encourage the player to become an environment advocate. Awards from bronze, silver to gold are given to a player that can pass the standard set. Some of the awards and the corresponding requirements to get the gold medal include: Certificate of Gardening Excellence (Requirements: Grown 240 flowers and 32 trees into mature plants), Floriculture Award (Requirements: Planted 8 types of flowers), Botanic Award (Requirements: Grown 8 types of flowers, 5 types of trees and 3 types of bush into mature plants.), Certificate of Landscape Design Excellence (Requirements: Has 8 statues and 3 fountains. ), garden Arts Award (Requirements: Has 3 statue type and 2 fountains.), Landscape Design Award (Requirements: Has 5 building types and 16 plant types.), Popularity Award (Requirements: Has 10 current visitors), Certificate of Tourism (Requirements: Has accumulated 50 visitors in a week), 1st Quality Services Award (Requirements: Has earned 100 Week Satisfaction), Certificate of Ambiental Merit (Requirements: Must have 4 visitors enter the garden within 6 weeks and no visitor complaints about trash or dead plants), RecyclingAward (Requirements: Have all of the trash generated by visitors within 4 weeks thrown in recycling bins) and Ambient Preservation Award (Requirements: Have none of the plants die within the period of 8 weeks). Within a day, I was able to accomplish the requirements for the gold medal because that’s my aim that day. I put most of my time and effort into the game, so I was able to “hit the bulls eye” (I played darts before, but I rarely hit the bulls eye because I easily get discouraged and quit aiming for it).
At the beginning of the game, the player’s assets are an empty park, 1 small entrance building, 1 deep well, 1 shovel, 1 pack of daisy seeds with 5 seeds, 1 watering can and 10 bricks.
The player earns (at the beginning) by selling tickets at the entrance gate. As the earnings increases, more items will be available “for sale” on the shop. Aside from plants and other gardening materials, there are income generating items for sale at the shop. These are
food carts (hotdog and lemonade), merchandise cart and toy stall.
My favorite item in the shop are the fountains. The best fountain for me is the one with dolphins. I don’t know why, but watching water flowing makes me happy and dolphins are so cute (for me).
3. Virtual Farm 2
This game can enhance the entrepreneurial skills of a player. The assets that a player has at the beginning of the game are 10 beds of soil, 1 harvester that has the capacity to harvest only 3 plants, dead hay (on the 10 beds of soil) that automatically grows when watered, 1 water pump, 1 watering can, 1 shop that can display 3 products (but only 1 product can be displayed at the start) and 1 storage house that can hold only 20 products.
Missions or orders are given in this game and the player cannot level up if they are not fulfilled. As the orders are fulfilled, a cash reward will be given.
The player can also build a manufacturing center where the harvests can be used to produce other goods. These are milk, sugar, flour, egg, cotton thread, bread, cheese, cream, ice cream and cloth.
The market has only 2 shops owned by other businessmen. These shops can be bought by the player once he/she has accumulated huge cash and has leveled up. If the player uses a good strategy, the game can become a market monopoly.
For me, this is not a good strategy. Sometimes, challenges occur that may result to the failure of providing the needed products of the customers. When this happens, the customers will be angry and may not buy again at the shops. The player needs new strategies which include reducing the prices of the products even if the result will be a loss, but with good back-up strategies that will be effectively implemented, the losses can be recovered and it may even result in a more successful business.
This applies in real business. Having competitors is better because business people are pushed to do better. They can use their brain often for ideation which is good for their (business' and) mental health.
4. Exotic Farm
This is quite similar to Virtual Farm 2, but is more challenging because of the time limit. My aim as I played the game is to get all the trophies and medals. Unfortunately, I failed to get 4 of the trophies, but I’m working on it. These trophies are: Seasoned Farmer (requirement: complete all days without a single fail), Golden Axe (requirement: load 4 machines with firewood in a row), Silver Axe (requirement: load 2 machines with firewood in a row), Profitable Farm (requirement: earn $ 25, 000.00) and Farm Tycoon (requirement: earn $ 150, 000.00).
I did not read the requirements the first time (after many years have passed) I played this game. My first aim was to finish the game with medals and see how this ends. After finishing the game, I found strategies to get the trophies I was not able to have on my first play.
5. Mystery Case Files (Return to Ravenhearst)
I created a video for this game because this has a great story to tell. For me, this is a brain stimulating game.
