Mundane chores are all the rage in gaming
source link: https://www.economist.com/culture/2022/06/14/mundane-chores-are-all-the-rage-in-gaming
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Mundane chores are all the rage in gaming
Many players are looking to be soothed rather than exhilarated
Markiplier, an american YouTuber, squeals with glee. He has selected a nozzle and is firing a jet of water at a rover on Mars; on the screen, a bar indicates how much of the machine he has cleaned. Seven million people have watched Markiplier’s enthusiastic video review of “PowerWash Simulator” (pictured). In subsequent instalments he roars with pleasure as he polishes buildings, paving stones and playgrounds. He said that “it might be the greatest game ever made”.
Many others seem to agree. Launched in May 2021, the game is played by thousands of people on Steam, an online game platform, at any given moment. (It is arriving on Xbox and Windows devices in July.) Users spend hours digitally cleaning grimy objects or locations, including subway stations and skate parks. The activity provides both mental absorption and the satisfaction that comes with completing a task.
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