If you dream of exploring the oceans every day, but you’ve been dealt a hand that includes land-based work or an inland existence, help is here. You can discover an undersea world and learn about fish every day with a new social, web-based game known as “theBlu.”
I am not a gamer; I am a middle-aged diver with average computer skills. I have a passing familiarity with some of the popular online games, and my initial impression was that theBlu was similar to others. However, as I dug a bit deeper, my impression changed. It has a lot more to offer, plus, of course, its focus is under the sea.
The home page, theBlu.com, provides good information and direction. You can click “Learn More” to read the FAQs or “Dive In!” to dive right in and get started. After your initial sign-up, you can “Dive In!” anytime you want to explore.
TheBlu divides the world’s oceans into “Spheres” through which you proceed. Your first Sphere will be the one that surrounds your actual location. I live in the United States, and the first sphere I entered was “America, cliff.”
The primary objective of theBlu’s game component is to “identify, collect and name fish and sets of fish that live within each Sphere.” After you have collected all the fish in one Sphere, you can move to another until you have collected all of its fish, and so on.
While playing the game, you also have the option to send some of your fish out to “Roam” the seas. As they roam, your fish will make connections with other players, creating a social network for you.
The 3-D artwork of theBlu is remarkable. It was (and continues to be) designed by a group of artists known as “Makers.” As you play, you have the opportunity to collect fish as artwork. You can select and purchase the beautiful species and habitats the Makers created. The Makers are paid from your purchase, and a percentage of the proceeds goes toward ocean preservation. If you have skills as a digital artist, you can even become a Maker yourself and contribute your art to theBlu.
TheBlu can also be used as a screensaver; I found that mode to be one of my favorite elements. The content of the screensaver grows to include fish you have collected and follows them as they move through the seas. Even on a 27-inch computer monitor, the screensaver expands to fill the entire screen with clear, crisp images while it plays relaxing music.
My personal trip into theBlu began as a research-and-report assignment, but it has become a pleasant diversion. I find the 3-D art and animations of the fish and seascapes fascinating, the music relaxing and the fish-collection portion of the game fun. I have begun to make contact and communicate with a few friends through the game as well. Engaging and educational, it has the potential to be a hit with young people.
Take a few minutes to look through theBlu.com. I found it to be fun, relaxing, mentally stimulating, a little bit challenging and completely entertaining. As I think about it, it’s a lot like how I find scuba diving to be.
© Alert Diver — Q2 Spring 2012