Mindfulness game "Plants"

[rogerty]

https://rogerty.itch.io/plants ($1.99)

Plants is a nontraditional and nonviolent experience where you get full control over a growing flower.
You can use it from 2 to 20 minutes sessions to get into a flow as mindfulness training, or play it for whatever purpose you can think of.
There is only one goal: enjoy the scenery and have a pleasant experience.

Image:
https://img.itch.zone/aW1nLzk4NDQ5My5wb ... 5DNV5J.png

The latest update brings a lot of changes. (21 in total)
The biggest additions can be seen on the image above:
* Night: now it is possible to experience the journey at night and while this happens, fireflies appear and crickets play their songs.
* The body of the flower can be transformed into 2 more entities: a worm figure and or clone appears for a short time.


Features:
- relaxing music
- a stress relieving environment
- family friendly content
- full screen and windowed possibility
- mute sound effects and/or music
- day and night cycle
- several different flower body shapes

Controls: mouse.

(can be played on Windows, Mac and Linux)

[Peter]

Hi Rogerty,
Thanks for sharing.
Can people try it for free?
Peter

[rogerty]

Hi Rogerty,
Thanks for sharing.
Can people try it for free?
Peter

hello Peter,

I am currently creating a free version. I will let you know when it is ready to try.

[Peter]

Great! Thanks Rogerty

[rogerty]

hello! The short free version is ready!

I have placed it here: https://rogerty.gamejolt.io/plants/
Thanks for trying!

[Peter]

Thanks for your efforts. I'll be happy to try it.

[edit]
I've tried it. What could use some improvements: The free version can be played way too short. Maybe only a minute or so. Plus, the flower flickers when it's at the cursor.

Good luck with the game.

[rogerty]

Thanks for the feedback!
I will lock myself in the basement again to improve the game, although I am not sure if the time limit can be changed...
The flickering is difficult and I do not have a solution yet, but I will work on it

[rogerty]

https://i.imgur.com/8HP8YV9.gif

Among other things, in the coming update Plants will have better looking grass. (plus, many bugs are solved, such as: the flower does not "flicker" anymore)
(I am aiming to finalize the update at 28/29 december)

[JonW]

Hi Rogerty..
Could you explain a little what the game has to do with mindfulness? It seems relaxing enough but the point of mindfulness is not to relax, though relaxation can be a welcome by-product of meditation.
I just can't see how the game could possibly complement the mindfulness practice of sitting, body scans, turning towards difficulties etc.
Thanks in advance,
Jon

[rogerty]

Hi Rogerty..
Could you explain a little what the game has to do with mindfulness? It seems relaxing enough but the point of mindfulness is not to relax, though relaxation can be a welcome by-product of meditation.
I just can't see how the game could possibly complement the mindfulness practice of sitting, body scans, turning towards difficulties etc.
Thanks in advance,
Jon

hello Jon,

Thanks for your interest.
I have experienced that sometimes tricks and tools help to achieve goals. I see the game Plant as a tool to stay on the path of mindfulness. Because of the continuing movement of growing and guiding the plant, you can get in a flow, which resembles meditation. When in a flow, I find it easier to observe thoughts, rather than analyzing them - while focusing on breathing.
Also, Plants can give such a distraction, that it asks your full attention. This can help when your brain is overthinking things and you can not seem to stop it easily.