The Reality StoreSm is a virtual game where students are asked to address such adult life issues as managing their careers and a day to day life on the basis of their monthly salary. This, among other things, included child care, insurance and transportation. The game allowed students to vividly visualize what could be their whereabouts in about 20 years from now. In life, similarly to spinning the roulette wheel, you never know what you can end up with.
The virtual life of each student was determined by the roll of dice, endowing each with its unique mythical career, paychecks, marital status and number of children. Within 45 minutes, keeping the inaugural data in mind students had to divide their budgets so as to be able to buy groceries, pay utilities and cover other personal needs of independent life style.
Interestingly enough, the realism of the game was enhanced by infusion of the roulette wheel, which assumed a tinge of “Life’s Little Surprises”. Just when a student felt he had it all going for him, an unexpected turn would occur driven by a single spin of the roulette wheel. This could either come in the embodiment of a parking ticket, or unexpected plumber servicing.
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