I love playing all sorts of games, whether they’re video games, board games, yard games…really, anything I get to be competitive in, I’m interested.  But what if by just playing a game I was also contributing to a real world cause?  ToonUps is a local Pennsylvania digital entertainment company that has a goal of making the world a better place through their games and they asked me to review their free Facebook game “A Better World”.

A Better World takes the Facebook game to the next level by rewarding players for good deeds done both in the game and in real life.  You create a virtual version of yourself and then can start exploring different parts of the game.  Proud of helping a friend in need?   Share it in the “Department of Do Good”.  Feeling grateful for your job and family?  Head to the “Gratitude Grotto” and let other players know.  Want to write a letter to a child in the hospital?  A Better World is partnered with CURE and set up a “Positive Post” for sending get well notes to actual CURE kids.

There’s something for every interest including small games within the game at the Arcade, designing decor in your home and entering a contest for other players to vote on, a clothing boutique for the players who love fashion, and much more.  You can either earn “Do-Good Gold” or purchase them and there’s also an option for buying specific items within the game.  With your gold, you’re able to shop for clothes, decorate your home, and buy pets.  There is even a partnership between A Better World and the movie “Legends of Oz” where many items that are for sale are from the movie.

All of this is tied to supporting a real life cause.  A Better World creates a goal and, through the players, attempts to meet this goal every month with a new charity or cause.  This month A Better World was supporting Life Vest Inside, which aims to inspire people to recognize how they can affect the world through kindness.

I really enjoyed playing A Better World for various reasons.  Initially, it felt nice to be able to share my gratefulness, and show support for other players’ kindness by voting with a thumbs up.  Finding ThreeCycle in the Arcade, a grid game similar to Bejeweled where you try to match up recyclable items while moving a certain number of waste items through, was a really fun diversion.  That was definitely my favorite of the 3 offered games.  Thanks to the store “Better Pets” I’m halfway to my lifelong dream of owning a pony.  But they also offered a unicorn, so I’m torn.  

And finally, what had me in tears, sending a child that get well note.  I’ll definitely be revisiting to do that again.  You get to pick the child, but I certainly feel that makes it harder.  So I picked one with the goal of coming back for the others.

A Better World has exceeded my expectations.  Much more than a game, it’s put so many opportunities to do good and feel good within reach all in a Facebook app.  Please, see for yourself and go play!

Nicole K.

This is a sponsored post for A Better World.  All opinions are 100% my own.

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