| Millsberry is an online virtual world game created | | | | But again, they come with their own set of |
| by General Mills, the food giant. The virtual world | | | | problems. The instructions for these games are |
| is however 2D and not 3D. Millsberry can be | | | | very unclear and kids are left confused about the |
| played online and is totally free of cost. Once a | | | | rules. Also, the games tend to become repetitive |
| player signs up and creates an account, he or she | | | | and boring after a point of time. |
| has a variety of options to choose from- the | | | | The plot of the game has weekly stories which |
| avatar's outward look, the clothes etc. These | | | | are also related to mini games. These are updated |
| things can be purchased using Millsbucks, the | | | | regularly but still, there isn't a central story line |
| currency form of the game. Initially every player | | | | running through Millsberry. Nevertheless, the |
| is provided a certain sum of money, but later, the | | | | weekly aspect manages to keep the kids curious. |
| players have to earn this money by playing | | | | One area that is flawless in Millsberry is the safety |
| different mini games. | | | | aspect. Parents have absolutely no reason to feel |
| Every player's performance in the game is judged | | | | worried about their kids playing Millsberry. There is |
| by the following 5 factors- Health, Fitness, | | | | no offensive language, no obscenity at all. But this |
| Intelligence, Civics and Hunger. In fact, Millsberry is | | | | is a direct implication of the fact there is no |
| a very educative game- children get to learn to | | | | communication in the game. Millsberry lacks any |
| open a bank account, or to send a post at the | | | | interactive qualities and has only educative books. |
| post office and several other things, which come | | | | This makes the game a little monotonous. After |
| in handy in life. | | | | all, kids love to interact and make friends. |
| However, what excites the children are the | | | | Millsberry also falls short when it comes to the |
| options available for customisation of the avatar | | | | community aspect. There is no sense of social |
| and all the goodies they can buy once they have | | | | bonding. One would expect it to have a strong |
| enough millsbucks. They can buy their own house, | | | | community, it being an online game. But there are |
| decorate it, make friends and visit their homes. | | | | no chat forums or any platform that facilitates |
| Having said that, the virtual world lacks the X | | | | conversations between fellow players. There are |
| factor as it is two dimensional. One doesn't ever | | | | only a select few pre-determined phrases which |
| get a holistic idea of how the place looks like. The | | | | cannot support a normal conversation. |
| navigation is a little rough and there are other | | | | General Mills has also used Millsberry virtual world |
| technical problems as well. Because of these, the | | | | to advertise their own products. All the food |
| children are sometimes left dejected- they create | | | | products that can be bought in the game carry |
| their perfect house but somehow. It just doesn't | | | | their logos. These products are ridiculously over |
| look that great in the game. This problem is | | | | priced and this reportedly bothers parents. They |
| compounded by the fact there is no preview | | | | believe that since everything is so expensive, |
| option. | | | | children tend to get obsessed with collecting |
| The Millsberry mini games aimed at the collection | | | | money. They are solely driven by consumerist |
| of Millsbucks are interesting. Games like Archery | | | | tendencies. However, this is one of the minor |
| and Solver keep the kids hooked on Millsberry. | | | | problems. |
| They lay great emphasis on creative activities like | | | | Thus, Millsberry is cute and enjoyable for kids. But |
| music and photography. Thus, they promote | | | | it has its share of technical and thematic problems |
| these interests in kids and kids get to develop | | | | which need to be looked into. |
| their skills here. | | | | |