Editorial Archive

by December M.

Christmas is only a week away and suddenly you realise that there are too many gifts to get, too many people that are difficult to buy for and far too little time to fit it all in. On top of this is the usual Christmas madness of organising family, get-togethers, food and so forth that it’s no wonder we’re often exhausted before it even begins. That’s why giving the gift of games is such a clever and EASY way to give gifts this year!

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by December M

I’ve just come back from a few days away – an extra long weekend to relax, unwind and re-energise. I need it because I know what’s coming. It’s Christmas! And while Christmas can offer joys untold with miracles and magic, it can also be a time of utter stress and aggravation.

I’ll be visiting family this year, which is never simple, and never easy. It involves a lot of travelling, thrown together sleeping arrangements, arguing over the bathroom, and living out of a suitcase. There’s always too much food but never enough of the healthier options. Far too much alcohol, but you always run out of softdrink. And while the nieces and nephews have grown into wonderful young adults, they’ll still eat too much, too quickly and feel ill yet refuse to go to bed early on Christmas Eve.

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by December M.

You have to really admire gardeners. They have the patience of that Job guy from the Bible. Down on their knees in their favourite gardening apparel, with a wide brimmed straw hat – hand tools by their side. They mulch and fertilise and tend to their patch with loving care. They create new garden beds and correct the pH levels of the soil, water and soak, plant the seed and watch and wait. And wait. And wait. Then water. And wait. And wait. Then eventually, something grows and they rejoice in the moment, picking whatever has grown to either eat or decorate with. And finally (if it’s not an evergreen), it dies. And so the process begins again.

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by December M:

I keep writing about how good casual games are, but sometimes it’s nice to know that I’m not the only one. I was reading a great blog post on The Wall St Journal by Nick Wingfield about Angry Birds, a game specifically designed for mobile phones.

Now I realise that mobile phone apps and games are completely different from PC games. After all, one is designed to be played on the run, the other is designed to play on a more stable environment. And I don’t think anyone would argue that the experience of a PC game is more rich, more detailed and more immersive on a laptop or desktop PC, simply because of the screen size. After all, you can see more details on a larger screen.

And in my opinion, the games that best suit mobile phones are different from those that suit PCs. People who play a pc game are looking for a distraction for an hour or two at a time. Those on mobile phones are using it while travelling to work, waiting in line, having a lunch break etc so they are more likely to play in short bursts, what marketers call “entertainment snacking”.

But I guess the thing that impressed me the most about this article is how they emphasise that casual gaming is good, and good for you.  It states “A scientific study from 2008 found that casual games provide a “cognitive distraction” that could significantly improve players’ moods and stress levels.” I like the idea that by playing a game I can improve my mood. Lower my stress levels. Be a better person. Isn’t that what we are all aiming for?

Wingfield continues, “many casual games… use positive reinforcement to make players feel good when they succeed” and this is another wonderful lesson to come out of casual gaming. Positive reinforcement is, well, positive and anything that helps you to feel good about yourself and at your achievements is surely a good thing?

So obviously it isn’t just me who thinks casual games are good and good for you. It wouldn’t be the fastest growing niche in the gaming industry if it wasn’t doing something right. So how do you most like to play? On your mobile, on your pc, or both? To me, it is now obvious that if I want to be a better person, a less-stressed person and one who knows how to smile, the first step I need to take is to play a casual game.

Read Nick Wingfield’s full article ‘Why We Can’t Stop Playing’ at The Wall Street Journal’s website

by December M.

This month has seen a range of new games released and it’s been difficult for me to choose my favourites because of the multitude of different genres made available. I think it’s interesting how some months you have a huge list of really good games you love and other months you scan what you’ve played and think, “Did I really waste my time playing that?” But always, there seems to be a few sparklers; games that really engaged you or excited you and I thought I would share my top five for November with you. No doubt you will agree, remind me of a game I haven’t thought of, or even just be reminded yourself of a game you’ve yet to try. No matter your thoughts, drop me a comment and let me know. After all, I write this all down just for you!

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by December M
My nieces and nephews think I’m cool. And by cool, I mean immature. I’m the one that starts the food fights, I’m the one that plays the practical jokes and I’m the one normally being berated by the other adults that I “need to grow up”. And the kids love me for it. And I love them naturally, I’m their aunt. But really, the biggest difference between kids and adults is a sense of consequence.

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By December M.

In recent years, a number of my girlfriends have either had babies, made babies or said goodbye to babies as they’ve waved them off to pre-school. Each of them are uniquely beautiful, rational, intelligent women who suddenly seem to become possessed by a monster known only as “Baby Brain”.

It can come in various forms, this malevolent creature, starting during pregnancy. It begins with the ‘dropsies’, followed quickly by the ‘Forget Everything’ Syndrome and is often accompanied by uncharacteristic wailing. Partners and friends are often left feeling confused and powerless as Baby Brain takes hold and seems to wreck havoc on ordinarily normal lives.

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by December M