Peggle loads onto the screen with music and visuals that evoke an afternoon in an idyllic woodland setting. The ball follows logical physics and bounces around the screen just like you'd expect it to, making strategy a subtle but gradually more integral part of the game. FootGamers can "bounce" along with the ball by alternately stepping on the back left and right croners of the FootPOWR peripheral - cool fun. And now for the best part of the game: eliminating that last peg. The very first thing that captivated me about the Peggle series was the dramatic slow motion camera zoom that pulls in to watch the ball hit the final peg. A drum roll ensues, and Beethoven's Ode to Joy howls in the background. It's epic. Afterwards, the ball finishes its bouncing and settles in one of the point buckets that appear at the bottom of the screen.
Fun Option: PEGGLE-JOG
50% off
all PopCap learning games
In Dr. Russoniello's East Carolina University study, Bejeweled 2 and Peggle had similarly positive effects on subjects’ anger levels, reducing anger by 65% and 63%, respectively. Bookworm Adventures had a more modest effect, reducing anger by 33%. Among female subjects, Peggle produced the greatest anger reduction, 86%. Men experienced the greatest reduction of anger while playing Bejeweled 2 (63%). “Peggle may have reduced anger more effectively in women due to its light-hearted characters and somewhat cartoony presentation featuring unicorns and rainbows,” Dr. Russoniello conjectured. “For men, it’s likely the nature of this game – Bejeweled 2 encourages focus, introspection and calmness – which facilitated a release of anger-oriented feelings like certain other therapeutic activities such as art.”
Bejeweled and Peggle seem to reduce depression at about the same rate. These two games also seem to give players a reduction in their sense of fatigue.
In another study, Bellevue-based Information Solutions Group conducted an online survey of PopCap players, some of whom said they had children suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
"Causal Video Games Bring Relief and Enjoyment to Children With ADHD" read the headline on the press release, which included testimonials from "Joe P." of Athens, Ga., and "Joanna G." of Oakland, Calif., who claimed their kids came away from PopCap's games more calm and relaxed.
"Any reasonable type of treatment that would enhance the ADHD child's attention span, focusing, concentration skills, and self-confidence would be a welcome asset to parents and teachers alike," said the press release, quoting Dr. Carl Arinoldo, a Stony Brook, N.Y.–based psychologist and author of Essentials of Smart Parenting: Learning the Fine Art of Managing Your Children.
Why not take a few minutes and try Peggle for FREE. You may want to play it the conventional way or start FootGaming and get the added benefit of some physical activity.
Need funds for your school? Instead of the
usual Walk-athon try our fun and full-of-learning benefits
FootGame-athon with Peggle
|
|
Bejeweled Benefits |
Bookworm Adventure |
AstroPop |
Peggle Benefits |
Chuzzle Benefits |
Zuma Benefits |
| Patterning, Prediction, Analysis | High benefit | High | High | High | High | High |
| Eye-Tracking | High | Moderate | High | Moderate | High | High |
|
Improved motor skills, timing, planning |
Moderate | Low | High | High | Moderate | High |
| Sequencing, Coordination, rhythm, balance | High | moderate | High | Moderate | High | High |
| Increased oxygen to the brain | moderate aerobic | low aerobic | High aerobic | low aerobic | High aerobic | High aerobic |
| Increased focus | High | High | High | High | High | High |
| Direct academic application | Calms, reduces stress | Spelling, vocabulary | High activity level | calms, reduces stress | High activity level | High activity level |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Bejeweled 2 | Bookworm Adventure | AstroPop | Peggle | Chuzzle | ZUMA |
