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| | September 8, 2008
PCs in D.C.
I just wanted to say a big "thank you!" to everyone who stopped by the Microsoft booth at the AARP 50th anniversary event in Washington D.C. last week! We showed off a bunch of games, gave away thousands of puzzle booklets, and met some incredibly cool people. Best of all, we had plenty of opportunity to spread the message that videogames are for everyone, and there’s no such thing as “too old” to play. | |
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This is something I feel very strongly about, particularly since a lot of older folks seem to have a perception that videogames are for children, and adults who play are being frivolous or wasting their time. One octogenarian of my acquaintance believes that it’s because a lot of them were raised in a work-centric culture where games were discouraged even during childhood. I think it’s also likely that they see Grand Theft Auto and Gears of War on TV, and assume that all videogames are like that. I consider it a personal mission to challenge these assumptions whenever possible, and get more retirees playing games.
Study after study has shown that puzzle-type videogames help to keep your brain sharp, and action videogames sharpen your reflexes and perception. Even more than that, games bridge the gap between ages, and bring people together like few other activities can. Games aren't like popular music or fashion; the younger generation is never going to look at the older generation and say, "OMG, I can't believe you're still playing that." I play dominoes with my parents; my nephews do jigsaw puzzles with their parents. How can you outgrow something that’s fun no matter how many times you do it? And when so many parents and grandparents live in a different city or state from the rest of their families, online gaming seems the perfect way to spend time together.
That’s why I’m happy that we had the chance to show our stuff at the AARP event. What I hope most of all is that the people who played with us at the conference will go back home and convince their friends to play as well.
Oh, and I just have to relate my favorite quote from the whole show! One very nice older lady was trying Bejeweled for the first time, and we were giving her a few tips on how to play. After a few minutes, she exclaimed, “I’m doing something on the computer and I’m winning! Now I know why my husband is always playing.”
I suspect her husband is going to have a little competition for computer time from now on!
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Shark! Shaaaaaaaaaaark! Island!
It's rare that I get a chance to recommend the same wonderful game twice. But one of my favorite download seek-and-find games, Mystery of Shark Island, is now also a free online game, so I just can't resist nattering about it all over again.
Unlike most hidden-picture games, Shark Island has only one type of item to find: sea treasures. At the start of the game, you've been shipwrecked on a deserted island. Fortunately, it's a lovely and picturesque sort of island, and even more fortunately, it has a secret that might help you escape. (How lucky can you get?) Each time waves wash up on the beach, you need to find all the shells, starfish, sea glass, and other goodies amongst the rocks and useless flotsam. Every so often, you'll also find a piece of a mysterious key.
For extra challenge, some of the items may be partially obscured with sand, or hidden halfway under other items, or only silhouetted instead of pictured in the list of things to look for. On the upside, if you grab more than one of the same type of item in a row, you'll get bonus points. (Hint: always go for the bonus points!)
To me, this game brings back fond memories of all those trips to the beach my family made when I was a kid. I remember getting up in the wee hours of the morning and going out with a flashlight to look for big conch shells at low tide, sifting through seaweed in search of shark teeth, and digging sand dollars out of the shallows with my toes. Shark Island is so well done, and the shells and other treasures so perfectly rendered, that I can almost smell the ocean all over again.
Without the sunburn, though.
Back to school… for gamers
Admit it. Somewhere on our site is a game that you like – maybe even love – but that drives you a little bit crazy. Either you can't get past a certain puzzle, or you're stuck at mastery level 3, or you can only get through on Easy mode. Don't worry, everyone's got at least one game like that. And some games are just harder than others!
So I thought this might be a good time to duck into a phone booth, put on my second-string superhero costume, and become Game Answer Girl!
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Actually, never mind. I can't even remember the last time I saw a phone booth, now that everyone has cell phones. I wonder what Superman does these days? Hides behind a mailbox? Climbs a really leafy tree?
Spandex hero costume aside, I'd still love to share some hints and tips for some our trickier games. So if there's a game or two you've been having trouble with, just email the name of the game, and whether it's a free online, download, or GameSpring title, to zmaster@microsoft.com. I'll put together a list of the Top Ten Trickiest Games, and give a few hints for each one in an upcoming Coffee Break.
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| Tech Talk
From the Department of Cybernetic Entomology: we have identified a bug on our site and squashed it flat. Big thanks to everyone who reported slowness in Puzzle Inlay, Chainz, and Luxor – with your help, we were able to find the problem! Now that it’s been fixed, you should be able to play all three games at normal speed.
And remember, if you ever see a persistent problem on our site, please drop us a line. That’s the fastest way for us to find out that it exists, and the sooner we know, the sooner we can take care of it. We want everyone’s gameplay experience to be trouble-free.
I’ll see you next time!
Ask Moxie!
Do you have a question or comment? I’d love to hear from you. Just email me at zmaster@microsoft.com and I’ll do my best to answer in one of these Coffee Breaks! Oh, please make sure to include your MSN Games nickname, so I know who to list here if I quote you!
(And if you have technical questions or problems with a game, we’ll cheerfully answer those as well. Just submit them through the support section of this site!)
More Moxie!
Need a bit more Coffee Break? Take a shuffle through our archives. | |
