Free Ride Games Blog

I’m always on the lookout for interesting articles and presentations to share with you about casual games and recently I came across a TED talk by Tom Chatfield titled “7 ways games reward the brain.”

Tom Chatfield – a longtime gamer and game theorist – is the arts and books editor at the UK current-affairs magazine Prospect.

The growth of the gaming industry and the reach of modern video and online-game culture is nothing short of mind-boggling, with gaming revenue recently overtaking that of more traditional media (it overtook music in 2008).

In his talk, Tom explores the power of computer games to influence the way we think and learn. According to Tom, “games are perfectly tuned to dole out rewards that engage the brain and keep us questing for more,” which reinforces the notion that playing computer games is more than just fun, it can also play an important role in improving your brain’s cognitive function and the way you approach our technologically evolving world.

If you’re already a casual games lover, then check out the video of this illuminating talk to get a professional’s perspective on how the games you play are actually doing your brain some good!

Watch “Tom Chatfield: 7 ways games reward the brain.”

Then, when you’re done watching the video – do your brain some more good by playing some of our top brain ‘workout’ games! Try:

• 7 Wonders II (Genre: Match 3)
• Cradle of Rome (Genre: Match 3)
• Mahjongg Artifacts (Genre: Board)
• Atlantis Quest (Genre: Puzzle)
• Sudoku Quest (Genre: Puzzle)

Amazing Heists: Dillinger tells the exciting true story of the infamous John Dillinger, an American gangster and bank-robber who was at the height of his “career” in the era in which Baby Face Nelson, Pretty Boy Floyd and Bonnie & Clyde were on everybody’s “Most Wanted” list.

Dillinger robbed two dozen banks and four police stations and incredibly managed to escape jail twice! While doing time, he became resentful towards society and hooked up with other criminals, preparing himself to dive right back into criminal activities when he was released. The game tells the story of his life after being released from his eight and a half year prison sentence.

This hidden object game begins as you join the gang at their hide-out at Little Bohemia Lodge, looking at potential banks to rob and casing joints. Each level of the game has a different bank to rob but each bank robbery has the same structure:

• Casing the Joint
• Block the Egress
• The Robbery and
• Breaking the Bank.

Read the rest of this entry »

While most of the hidden object games present you with lists of still-life items to find, Gotcha: Celebrity Secrets challenges you to pluck people out of large crowds in a “Where’s Waldo” style game, but with a delightful, gossipy feel.

In Gotcha: Celebrity Secrets we meet Gaby, a young lady who fosters a secret ambition while working at a typical ‘nine to five’ job. Instead of preparing reports or taking care of her boss’s lunch, she immerses herself in her true passion – running a celebrity gossip blog!

When a competition is announced, offering the most popular gossip blogger an exclusive interview opportunity with megastar Eric Von Hunk, Gaby is determined to win, to defeat her biggest rival Dante and claim the glory of being Hollywood top blogger.

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Last week I challenged Free Ride Gamers to test their ability to identify some of the main casual game genres. For some, knowing the difference between the genres isn’t such an issue, because they just love playing casual games, all casual games, period.

But for others, knowing the difference between the game genres is rather handy, they can easily identify the games they KNOW they’re going to love.

So how did the Free Ride Gamer community do in our “How well do you know your casual game genres” pop quiz?

The results are interesting!

And how did everyone do overall?

Read the rest of this entry »

I’m a die-hard fan of PC casual games, so I thank my lucky stars every day that I ended up with a job where I get to play and talk about casual games all day long. And as if that weren’t fabulous enough, at Free Ride Games they’re completely free, which is a little like being in Casual Game Paradise.

But enough about me! I would love to know what it is that YOU love about playing casual games, and while you’re at it, why you love playing at Free Ride Games.

So click that “comment” button and spill! Looking forward to reading your feedback

Until next week,
Michelle.