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Tic-Tac-Toe
Why was this game important to me?
It was a very simple yet complex game that I could play with my Mom whenever she we had time to bond.
Define the two main skills the game tried to teach.
Pattern Recognition – The ability to distinguish commonalities between various items.
Risk Assessment – The ability to recognize the pros and cons of a motion.
What game mechanics taught these skills?
Placing the X’s or O’s in a straight line on the board taught pattern recognition. Preventing your opponent fr -
Rocket Knight Adventures
It was the first time I competed against an opponent who had the same abilities I had. The opponent was virtual, but the rivalry I felt was real.
Reaction Timing – The ability to coordinate a physical action in response to a previous action.
Pattern Recognition – The ability to distinguish commonalities between various items.
Enemies and projectiles constantly running into me quickly taught me reaction timing, while the puzzles and numerous varied boss fights taught me pattern recognition. -
Kickball
Kickball was one of the few physical team sports that I was able to naturally play well, and others wanted me to play with them.
Physical Coordination – The ability to utilize the eyes and body in successful unison.
Communication – The ability to share ideas and thoughts with others.
Physical Coordination was required when the player had to kick the ball when it was rolled to him or her on offense. Communication was required to pass the ball back and forth between players on defense. -
Shining Force 2
It was the first time I was in charge of not just one individual, but an entire team of people.
Resource Management – The ability to control separate sets of items.
Territory – The ability to impress upon a target the area or land the hunter has acquired
The finite number of troops, enemies, battles, money, and items in my command forced me to manage my resources carefully.
To win battles, the trick is to take and defend small sections of the larger map, and slowly advance to claim the rest. -
Pokemon Ruby
It taught me about environmental balance, building a custom team from the bottom up, and the Braille language.
Exploration – The ability to move about an area with the purpose of learning it.
Timing – The ability to complete actions at a precise moment.
The open world nature of this game allowed me to explore, as the requirement to progress was simply to reach the next area; how I got there and what I did on the way was up to me.
In battle, poorly timed moves would leave your team defeated.
