[Each day, Worlds in Motion will be taking a closer look at individual virtual worlds. We'll start with a nuts-and-bolts overview, then move on to an in-depth tour, to be followed up with a conclusion-- all with the aim of bringing you all the essential info and details on each world in the rapidly-developing virtual landscape.]
This week, we spent time in Millsberry, eating a balanced diet and doing our civic duty in General Mills' the teen and 'tween-targeted virtual world. Here's our conclusion!
Millsberry lacks that 3D element that would give it the feel of a real virtual world; the navigation, as such, is more like clicking through interconnected web pages than traveling somewhere, and while you can customize your avatar and his or her home, you rarely get the opportunity to see your creations engaged with the rest of the world.
Because of this, navigating can be sometimes difficult; sometimes you go from one room to the next by clicking a door in the image, other times by using navigation buttons at the top of the screen or links from a list. Sometimes you even need to use the browser's back and forward buttons; because of this, it's hard to ever get a clear picture of Millsberry's geography and the experience always feels a little jointed.
The ways it attempts to make up for this are charming, though -- each area is described in detail with text, with interesting facts and story elements that are not absolutely necessary to the functionality of games, stats or Millsbucks, and it feels like a lot of thought was brushstroked rather tenderly into each area.
The over-arching messages of civic responsibility, proper nutrition and fitness are all very well-intentioned, but not too well-integrated into the game environment. Their relevance is not very strong in the game -- just a set of stats to keep track of -- and you sort of have to search to be educated on why they'd be important to a real-world person. More importantly, the extension into how kids could translate the ways of Millsberry into useful life skills isn't very strong, either.
The games are fun, though the instructions are not always explained clearly. Nothing wrong with an environment that lets kids figure out for themselves by experimentation, but clear goals help.
Millsberry doesn't talk down to its audience, in the educational "books" that can be borrowed from the library or in its explanations of historical places, and while General Mills products are advertised in the games, it's not intrusive; it's a wholesome place for kids to play.
