Betwixt Folly and Fate

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Betwixt Folly and Fate

Game Strategies

This game makes it pretty hard not to win. On my first try, the game ended happily ever after and I had a reputation of 130%. My strategy was to be polite and work hard and do whatever work came my way.

Just for fun, I tried to fail the next time, and did so masterfully. All you have to do is lie, steal, and refuse to work! This time, I ended the game with 10% reputation and my father died in battle and my son was sold into slavery.

It took some time to figure out the controls. What worked best for me is steering around with one hand on the arrows and the other on my mouse for turning. Once you figure out how to control the character and click on map to get around, it goes rather quickly.

I (Anneke) was unable to play the game for more than 20 minutes, so here is my take on the game: This role playing game can be described as a “first player shooter” game without the bullets. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Educational Programs has designed a game that incorporates stunning digital models of the city on the eve of the American Revolution. In the demo version, Henry explores the streets of Williamsburg, conversing with colonists in an attempt to earn money and find work as a carpenter. Players have a narrow choice of dialogue options, but they do make decisions as they communicate with virtual versions of historical figures in Williamsburg. As the game progresses, Henry’s list of tasks to complete grows. First, he is to collect his clothing at Greenhow’s store, and along the way he may be instructed to pick up blacksmith tools, repair a chicken coop, collect old debts, dig a hole or fix siding on a tenement house. Henry can walk slowly or quickly (hold down shift) to each destination, talking to other colonists along the way. Alternatively, to save time (which is precious in the 20 minute max demo game) players can press down the “M” key and click on the map to “jump” to a new place in town. Gambling is often present in the game, as Henry is asked to wager on horse races, lawn bowling and a card game, all of which I assume were common in Williamsburg as the time. The main goal of the demo game seems to be to earn 15 shillings in order to earn enough money to pay Henry’s mother’s rent. Once that task is completed, the game ended, and the real-life story of Henry’s life is displayed on the screen. Overall, the three dimensional graphics are excellent, players can “turn” their head 360 degrees and walk in and out of houses, stores and horse paddocks. And despite the fact that this was merely a demo version, the game only failed once in the four times I played. After my game of lawn bowling I was unable to return to my list of errands and had to quit the game and start fresh.

Educational Implications

This game familiarizes students with the social structures of the colonial times. In conversation, characters include tidbits about the impending revolution. You can even talk to Thomas Jefferson if you find him walking around town. The most important lesson learned from playing the freed-slave character is the way he is treated by the other characters and the ways he must behave to be successful.

Anneke's opinion of Educational Value: Though the demo version of Colonial Williamsburg allows players limited access to the range of characters and events of the time, even it has a place in the American History classroom. The names, clothing, dialogue, occupations and daily tasks in the game successfully immerse students in the lives of colonists in pre-Revolution Williamsburg. For example, Henry speaks with many slaves, helping students learn about the back-breaking work enslaved men and women had to endure on a daily basis in Colonial Williamsburg. Students learn about the daily work of lawyers, blacksmiths, midwives, lawyers and scholars as Henry goes about his errands. The difficulty free blacks had earning income is quickly apparent as players strive to earn enough shillings to pay mother’s rent. Even Thomas Jefferson makes an appearance. He offers Henry work at Monticello and discusses his grievances with the King of England. I would be eager to try the full version of this game, as the demo version is plenty impressive on its own.