16 hours ago
Grow a Garden: The surprise Roblox gaming hit
If people discover they love virtual gardening, might they be encouraged to take up the real thing?
Andrew K. Przybylski, a professor of human behaviour and technology at the University of Oxford, said it was possible the game could "plant a seed" that could lead to a passion for plants. But, overall, he's sceptical.
"It is unlikely that a game like this will encourage real world gardening any more than Super Mario Wonder encourages plumbing," he told the BBC.
Prof Sarah Mills of Loughborough University has carried out research into the experience of young people and gaming. She highlights a key appeal of Grow a Graden is it is free to play, but the in-game currency is important.
"This wider landscape of paid reward systems in digital games can impact children and young people's experiences of gaming and financial literacy," she said.
"It can also cause challenges for many families to navigate, changing the nature of pocket money."
Gardening podcaster and BBC presenter Thordis Fridriksson, meanwhile, is hopeful that any interest in gardening is a good thing.
"Obviously the whole process is pretty different to real life, but it taps into the same thing which makes gardening so addictive, and that's planting seeds and watching your garden grow.
"Fingers crossed some of the people who love the game will try growing something at home."
Outside the living room in Edinburgh where they play the game is Owen and Eric's actual garden, which both boys help in.
"I like gardening - and gardening in Grow a Garden," says Owen.
But asked which one he prefers, he's emphatic: "Grow a Garden!"
