UrthGame’s Prosperity Path Games are built using cutting edge opengl 3d technology — similar to that you’d find in any modern 3d shooter. However, Prosperity Path Orbs (that’s what they call their games) have no shooting of the killing variety. In fact, there is no killing.
Not that I mind shooting or killing in video games. Heck, I think I’ve set the all time record for the most kills and personal deaths in Team Fortress during the same game. It’s all pixels. And Team Fortress happens to be a game that has managed to incorporate shooting without violence. You can search my blogs if you are wondering how the heck this is possible. Let’s just say that violence is not measured by red pixels on the screen. It is measured more by the intention and attitude of the developers and players.
But, as mentioned, Prosperity Path games have no shooting, thus some people have referred to these them as casual gaming gone wild. Technically, that’s not quite right. Prosperity Path games have a lot in common with Casual Games. Prosperity Path games have simple rules and don’t require a large time commitment or special skills to play — thus making them easy to access and play for even the newest players.
However, Prosperity Path gaming orbs fall more into the genre of Serious Gaming.
Serious games are described as quote “intended to educate or train the player. These games tend to promote ‘education, science, social change, or even health care.’ Some of these games have no specific ending or goal in the game. Rather, the player learns a real life lesson from the game.” unquote.
Granted in the UrthGame Orbs the lessons might sometimes be real life and other times be real after-life. Even so, the above definition for Serious Games definitely fits the Prosperity Path Gaming Orbs. The orbs are intended to educate (check), train (check), promote social change (check), and even address wellness issues (double-check).
It was unfortunate that these types of games have been saddled with the title of “Serious”. All too often serious is taken to be grim rather than earnest or intentioned. If not for the unfortunately choice of the word ‘serious’, it would be easy to label the Prosperity Path games as Serious Games. But, given the fun, mirth, and high quantities of
levity, the word serious seems a little out of place.
Let me know if you find a better word than ‘serious’.