Chore Wars

I haven't written in ages.

I should write more. However, I prefer to write on themes other than the following:
* new evidence that I cannot respect co-worker X
* act du jour that threw me into Zombie mode at work
* it's sad that I decided not to trust a co-worker with this duty
* yet another of my co-workers is quitting or retiring--at least there's a party
* boy, it's hot

Today's entry is about a video game on doing chores. It reminds me of the math video games I used to review for the junior high teachers I worked for in 1984-1985. There were basically two types:
1) The type that was kind of fun but wasn't about math at all. It didn't teach you any math. It just required you to do a math problem to get access to the next fun part.
2) The type that was just the same, but not even fun.

Chore Wars makes you (claim to) do a chore in order to unlock an adventure. For example, today I entered the information that I brushed my teeth, and then the game explained that this resulted in an attack on me by a plaque monster (which looked a lot like a black cat). Win or lose, I get some gold and a chance at some treasure.

First you need a dungeon master to set up the chores. I think this is the most fun part. You can import a list of typical chores, but get rid of some, modify others for your situation, and add more.

For example, one of the pre-created chores is changing the sheets. It requires medium strength and medium dexterity. After doing it, you get:
* 20 experience points
* between 1 and 20 gold pieces
* 25% chance of treasure (crumpled spellbook, gold ring, sleeping potion)
* 40% chance of a wandering monster (bed bug, ghost)

It's fun to make up your own "chores" or just things you should do repeatedly, but maybe don't. For example, I should usually be eating my own cooking. That requires medium constitution and medium wisdom. After doing so, I get:
* 20 experience points
* between 1 and 20 gold pieces
* 25% chance of treasure (spoon, fork, knife, genuine Tupperware)
* 25% chance of a wandering monster (headless chicken, exploding can, moldy leftovers)

The dungeon master then invites other players and then they can all compete against each other for gold and treasure.

I think it would be perfect for that time in your life when you live with several other college students all whining that they're doing more work than everyone else. Parents like it to motivate their multiple kids to compete against each other in this way that makes life more pleasant for the parents (though you do have the danger that comes with attaching extrinsic rewards to things that you really should do even if there aren't any intrinsic rewards).

Or, if you're the type of person who is motivated by checking things off lists, this is a little more fun than the usual list, even if you don't invite anyone to join your party.

Quote of the Day: From my battle against the water elemental during my washing the dishes adventure in Chore Wars:

"...You stab the water elemental for 10 damage.

You defeat the water elemental.

It was guarding a lost sock and 23 gold coins.

You ignore the lost sock, as you already have one."

I'm set up not to be able to stack like treasures, but that seems particularly nonsensical for this treasure.