PHILADELPHIA, Nov 16, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- At Thanksgiving, most people take a few moments to say thanks for their many blessings and think about the things for which they are grateful. For all those looking to share their thoughts with others, check out A Better World, an uplifting Facebook game that's all about being positive and encouraging others to do good deeds and acts of kindness. The goal: collect one million expressions of thanks by the end of the holiday season.

Just in time for the holidays, ToonUps is offering the A Better World Gratitude Challenge. To participate, just visit the game and type in something that you're thankful for! ToonUps hopes to drive a million expressions of thanks and enrich the lives of thousands of families.

Psychologists and Preventative Medicine experts say expressing gratitude improves one's well-being.

In Thanks!: How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier, Dr. Robert Emmons of U.C. Davis discusses "a scientifically groundbreaking, eloquent look at how we benefit -- psychologically, physically, and interpersonally -- when we practice gratitude."

Stephen Post, author of Why Good Things Happen to Good People, talks about how being grateful for the little things in life can instantly change people's attitude and have a major impact on how they view the world. He talks about it in a video at http://www.5min.com/Video/Impact-of-Being-Grateful-for-Things-in-Life-516939622 .

To join the game, sign up for A Better World on Facebook, pick a character and start exploring. Then go to the Gratitude Grotto, where players can express their gratitude for any aspects of their lives, see what other players are thankful for and share the things they are most grateful for with their friends. Just click on the Monk character and you get rewarded with Do-Good Gold and Positive Points each time, which you can use to improve your game experience. And you can do it as often as you like!

Play A Better World at http://www.facebook.com/ABetterWorld

Trailer at http://www.youtube.com/user/ToonUpYourWorld 

SOURCE: ToonUps

Contacts

ToonUps
610-902-0070      
press@toonups.com

PHILADELPHIA - (BUSINESS WIRE) - A new, uplifting game that rewards players for acts of kindness in the real world as well as the virtual world of online play is attracting attention on Facebook. A Better World, a fun, engaging online place where all good deeds get rewarded, encourages positive thinking, compassion and support for others.

More than 100,000 Facebook players have discovered how fun it is to explore a world that focuses on positive messaging and family values, as well as reflecting on things one might be grateful for in life.

In a section of the game called the Sanctuary of Hope, users are greeted by an angel character asking them to reflect for a moment. In this safe environment, players can post their hopes and dreams for themselves or others. They can also read other entries and light a candle to show support for other members of the community.

Another featured location is the Gratitude Grotto, where users can express what they are thankful for and also give support to others. Messages posted by members of the community slowly cascade down a waterfall. Players can also view all their past personal entries engraved on a “My Expressions” rock next to the flowing water. Gamers receive “Do-Good Gold” for each hope, dream or thankful thought they support, in effect rewarding them for creating a better world for themselves and others.

Players report that being encouraged to think about things they are thankful for and performing good deeds that provide encouragement to others improves their mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.

“The players in our community tell us that they don’t just come back because A Better World is fun, but because the game has had a transformative effect on their lives,” MarySue Lucci, president, ToonUps, said. “Community members encourage each other. Players create a feedback loop of goodwill that spreads virally.”

A Better World was created by ToonUps, a digital entertainment company that has focused for more than a decade on developing digital products that encourage a positive outlook and altruistic behavior.

Sign up to play A Better Worldfree at http://www.facebook.com/ABetterWorld

Screens at http://www.flickr.com/photos/47559592@N05/sets/72157627272296509/

Trailer at http://www.youtube.com/user/ToonUpYourWorld

Contacts

PHILADELPHIA - (BUSINESS WIRE) - A Better World,a game that rewards players not just for in-game activities but also for real world acts of kindness and expressions of gratitude, is launching on Facebook.

A Better World,which has soared to more than 78,000 players in beta, adds a new layer of social activity to casual gaming. Gameplay activities are designed to help everyone who participates feel better about themselves, be supportive of others and make positive choices in their everyday lives. Players also can play mini games with inspirational themes; have fun shopping; and personalize their characters and virtual spaces.

The game offers more than 15 locations to explore, including:

• Department of Do Good – Share real world good deeds you’ve performed and see what other members of the community have done
• Gratitude Grotto – Reveal what you are thankful for and express your support for messages left by others
• Sanctuary of Hope – Communicate your hopes and dreams and send encouragement to other players
• Arcade – Play uplifting mini-games alone or with friends

“The model for Facebook games has always been virtual activities – even when the games deal with real world issues,” Gregory Hansell, VP of product development, ToonUps, explains. “A Better World breaks that mold. We encourage players to take positive actions that affect those around them – both in the virtual world and in the real world.”

A Better World’s original approach could usher in a new genre of “do good gaming.”

Beta players report that being encouraged to think about things they are thankful for and doing activities that provide encouragement to others improves their mental, emotional and spiritual well being.

“Our beta players tell us that they don’t just come back because A Better World is fun, but because the game has had a transformative effect on their lives,” MarySue Lucci, president, ToonUps, said. “Community members encourage each other. Players create a feedback loop of goodwill that feeds on itself.”

A Better World was created by ToonUps, a digital entertainment company that has focused on developing digital content that encourages a positive outlook and altruistic behavior for more than a decade.

Play A Better Worldat http://www.facebook.com/ABetterWorld

Screens at http://www.flickr.com/photos/47559592@N05/sets/72157626620138503/

Trailer at http://www.youtube.com/user/ToonUpYourWorld

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6728288&lang=en

Contacts