Boarding Schools for Girls

The world's most famous (albeit fictional) "girl detective" is poised to become cyberspace's most prominent (albeit undercover) girls boarding school student.

According to a July 29 news release by Her Interactive (the creator of a series of computer games based on the experiences of the renowned detective and her friends), Ms. Drew's next online adventure will test her and her fans' sleuthing skills as they attempt to foil a criminal plot inside an exclusive all-girls boarding school:

In Nancy Drew: Warnings at Waverly Academy, players take on the role of Nancy Drew as she heads undercover at a prestigious all-girls boarding school to discover the culprit behind threatening notes and dangerous accidents that seem to be targeted towards the academy's valedictorian candidates.

To fit in at the school, players will immerse themselves in the boarding school culture by exploring the campus, helping other girls with projects and navigating the social scene. To build the case, players will surreptitiously snoop through dorm rooms and snap cell phone pictures of evidence they come across.

"Our games are really mystery-adventures wrapped in layers of increasingly complex puzzles that require deductive reasoning to not only get through, but to ultimately determine the culprit, and that sense of accomplishment is what keeps our community so committed to the franchise," Megan Gaiser, president and CEO of Her Interactive, said in the release.

Labels: boarding schools, video game

Posted By: Aspen/CRC 0 Comments

By now, it should be clear to all parents that video games aren't only for boys. But when deciding what games your daughter (or son) is allowed to play, don't rely on the game's rating system alone to help you make your decision.

Video games, like movies, have their own rating system. The system is meant to help parents decide what games are appropriate for their kids. But, if you rely solely on the ratings, you may expose your child to things you don’t like. Take, for example, the following video game description:

“This video game is a first-person shooter in which players compete in a ‘kill-or-be-killed’-style TV program. The characters are rewarded with notoriety, fame and points for creative kills. Some female characters are depicted in bikinis, low-cut clothing and showgirl costumes that expose a lot of cleavage. A movie set displays a call sheet that details a bedroom scene. Since this scene involves nudity, only the involved actors and the director should be present. Items such as beer and wine bottles, kegs and tequila appear in the game. Players are also able to consume beer.” [Source: Mercury News (CA)]

On a related note, if your child appears to be obsessed with video games, professional intervention may be called for.

 

Labels: computers, video game

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton 1 Comment