I’ve always enjoyed playing games that allow you to create a character and give them a life where they can make friends, explore, decorate their house, and so on. I think I’m so addicted to them because its a lot cheaper to build a dream house for an imaginary character than for myself, yet it still gives me some of the same satisfaction. Or at least I’m assuming it does, as I’ve never actually had a real live dream house experience to compare the fake one to! A Better World is a fun new social game on Facebook that lets you do all of those things while rewarding you for real-world acts of kindness.
The game was created by ToonUps, a digital entertainment company that focuses on encouraging altruistic behavior. The concept of A Better World is based on research that shows people who are encouraged to think about what makes them thankful and provide encouragement towards others may have improved mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.
Department of Do Good
Keeping that theory in mind, ToonUps developed a game that allows you to share the good deeds that you do in a public way and comment on the deeds done by others, though the Department of DoGood. Every player is invited to post their daily good deed, and other players will give it a thumbs up or down, depending on whether they agree that it was, in fact, a good deed. You can also visit to the Gratitude Grotto, a place where you can express what you are thankful for.
Along with the Grotto of Gratitude and the Department of Do Good, there are 13 other different locations to explore and interact with. These include a Sanctuary of Hope, where you can share your hopes and dreams and encourage others on theirs, an Arcade filled with uplifting mini-games, and a Better Pets Pet Shop, where you can get your virtual self an adorable puppy, fuzzy kitty, or even a unicorn.
Throughout various game tasks, you can earn Do Good Gold, which you use to buy gifts for your friends, stuff for your virtual home, and anything else you ‘ll need in the game. You earn the gold by encouraging others, and by completing missions assigned to you each day, which usually involve helping others.
There is really a lot to do, and a lot of opportunities to encourage others. I like reading the messages in the Sanctuary and lighting candles for others. I’m not a religious person, and I was relieved to see that A Better World doesn’t tailor to any one belief system, but rather the concept that there is good within all of us and we can all find a way to support each other.
Disclaimer- I was given the opportunity to share my thoughts and opinions on A Better WOrld. I received a gift card as a thank you for my participation. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is so cute and although it may look a little cheesy, I think it teaches some important life lessons. I love it! Thanks for sharing:) Glad to connect with you on voiceBoks.
have a Great awesOme Day!!!
Barbara
http://spanishforkids-jbplbarbara.blogspot.com
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Are there any other games like this that can be downloaded through iTunes?
I was very disturbed today watching my son play a game on his iPad he said was “fun”, he was throwing blue blocks at an unarmed man and hurting him and knocking him down, the man was trying to stand up and it seemed the object of the game was to keep throwing blocks at the man to keep him down, not to kill him. I asked my son why he was throwing blocks at an unarmed man and what would happen if he stopped throwing the blocks. The man slowly struggled to his feet, stood still and did nothing, he was no threat.
What could playing games like this do to a childs mind? My son is very quiet and withdrawn and spends a lot of time on his iPad playing games. He started with Minecraft which was originally just building things and tunneling and breaking things down, then gradually things were introduced into the game that attack you that you need to fight off and kill (or they kill you), today I saw my son killing little defenseless animals and small children in Minecraft, it seems that gradually over time these things have been introduced into the game, this is just not right! I refuse to believe a child can do this and not be affected by it.