Why Gardening is Gaming’s Newest Surprise Hit: Exploring the Rising Trend in Virtual Greenery

The Rise of Grow a Garden on Roblox

Video games often thrive on excitement and action. Yet, a quiet little game called Grow a Garden is capturing the hearts of millions. This gardening simulator, played primarily on Roblox, recently attracted over 16 million players in one weekend. It even broke the record previously held by the popular game Fortnite.

So, what makes Grow a Garden so appealing?

What You Do in the Game

In Grow a Garden, players get their own piece of virtual land. They buy seeds, plant them, and watch them grow—often even when they’re not playing. When the plants are ready, players can sell their harvest. There are some fun quirks, too, like the ability to visit and “steal” from other players’ gardens.

Eight-year-old Eric Watson Teire from Edinburgh sums up the game well: “It’s a lot of fun! We can compete to see who gets the most in-game currency." This currency, called Sheckles, motivates players to grow their gardens even more.

Since launching in March, Grow a Garden has seen around 9 billion visits, with 35% of its players aged 13 and under.

Different Perspectives

Some traditional gamers scoff at the slow-paced nature of these gardening games, calling it “watching paint dry.” Yet, Eric finds joy in the patience it requires. “It’s relaxing,” he says. His brother Owen enjoys the competitive aspect and the chance to discover which plants become the best.

However, the game isn’t without its controversies. Players sometimes buy popular in-game items for hundreds of pounds on marketplace sites like eBay. This dual economy, where real money is converted to in-game currency, raises concerns about financial awareness among young players.

Expert Insights

Andrew K. Przybylski, a professor at the University of Oxford, is skeptical that Grow a Garden could inspire real-life gardening. “It’s unlikely,” he says. “A game about planting seeds won’t necessarily spark an interest in gardening in real life.”

On the other hand, Professor Sarah Mills of Loughborough University highlights that the game’s economic aspects could teach kids about financial literacy—though it may complicate how families manage pocket money.

Thordis Fridriksson, a gardening enthusiast and podcaster, sees the game’s potential positively. “It taps into the joy of planting seeds and seeing them grow,” she shares. She hopes that some players might try their hand at gardening outside of the virtual world.

Final Thoughts

With Roblox hosting more than 40 million user-created games, it’s no surprise that Grow a Garden has found its audience. The game not only entertains but might also bridge the gap to real-life hobbies, encouraging young players to explore the outdoors.

As Eric and Owen balance their gaming with tending to their own garden, it remains to be seen whether their digital green thumbs will translate into real-life gardening skills. For now, though, Grow a Garden continues to charm players around the world.

For statistics on the gaming industry and its impact on youth, you can explore resources from Statista.

In the fast-paced world of gaming, Grow a Garden is a breath of fresh air, showing that sometimes, it’s nice to take things slow.

Source link