Tiny Diggers – An iPad Construction Truck Game for Kids Age 2-5

Yes, yes, I know the inherent bias that can exist in a study funded and backed by Microsoft, but this is a case where I can back it up with anecdotal evidence. Apparently, MSN Games did a study and found for men 18 to 34, the biggest reason we play casual games is to get what the study calls “Me Time”.

Here’s the anecdotal evidence; I was once in a relationship where my significant other simply could not (or would not) grasp that it was absolutely essential for me to get away from everyone and everything for a certain amount of time. I’m sure this tendency has a lot of causes, including my introversion, being raised as an only child most of my childhood, growing up on a farm or small town where there weren’t a lot of people… suffice it to say that when I’m around people for any length of time, it can really get me down. Literally.

Now, there are some people that are so extroverted that they need to be around people ALL THE TIME. Put someone like that with a person that needs to get away from people to be centered, and you can have explosive results. Trust me, because I know.

So, my relationship advice, guys, is to make sure you can find someone that at least understands and acknowledges that you may NEED to sequester yourself from people sometimes. That certainly is the case for me.

And when I do get my “alone time,” I very often turn to video games to fill that time. Then, after some “alone time” I’m ready to go out and face down the world again. Sometimes I choose other things during that time, like books, comics, TV, or movies, but it wears me down if I don’t get time alone every so often.

That being said, I rarely choose MSN Games as my outlet, but obviously Microsoft is using this study to show that people should play more MSN Games. Well, fine, but my Nintendo DS seems to do rather nicely for that, as well…