julianne koss's review of Hay Day
Date last edited: 11-22-2024 at 10:43PMClick here to view trailer
Rating: Not Rated
Review:The First Media Key: Balance
The first media key introduced in Infinite Bandwidth is balance, which greatly influences our attitude and approach towards media. In the text, the idea is presented that as Catholics, we should be opened minded to what we see in the media, which is seen as highly controversial. It is also emphasized that we are called to “exercise self-control" in accordance with our open-mindedness, so as not to corrupt ourselves or challenge our religious compass. (CP 52) We are meant to consume media in a very intentional manner, which requires prayer and contemplation in order to maintain our balance.
Hayday is an app that allows for balance to be found if the user tries to achieve it. There are challenges that take up a lot of time if the user lets them, such as the derby and the farm pass. These are both collections of tasks you have the option to do to earn additional rewards and resources for your farm. If you don't find a balance within yourself and limit your app usage, it is not a very balanced experience overall.
The Second Media Key: Attitude Awareness
Attitude Awareness is the second media key discussed in Infinite Bandwidth. This media key focused greatly on considering the creators intentions and motives behind each post in order to maintain a critical and balanced point of view. As stated in the text, “every piece of media carries some kind of message,” (Gan 40) which goes to show that even if we perceive a piece of media as indifferent, it can still be subtly ill intentioned.
This app does not require very much attitude awareness, as it is meant to be unbiased and distant from any form of media. Hayday is a strategy farm game, which does not allow anyone to post personal information, opinions, beliefs or otherwise, and therefore only provides an outlet for calming and stress relief.
The Third Media Key: The Dignity of the Human Person
The third media key in Infinite Bandwidth is the dignity of the human person. In the text it is stated, “Our bodies aren't cages that contain a soul. They're part of us, and because of that, they too have a great dignity.” (Gan 53) This quote is one of many that goes to show we as human beings have free will, and because we are born to resemble the Lord, we are to use that will chose the good. The good in this case is our own dignity, to dignify ourselves and respect our bodies in order to glorify God.
This app is meant to be played rather than consumed, and therefore does not have a lot of relevance to this media key. Despite this, all of the NPC type characters in the game are presented in a modest and dignified fashion, like Greg, the farmer at the highest level in the game.
The Fourth Media Key: Truth-Filled
The fourth media key of truthfulness encourages us to seek the truth amongst the excessive amount of deceit in today's society. In Infinite Bandwidth, Dr. Gan discusses that the role of media in our lives should be to spread and receive the truth, about God and about all other things. According to the text “it should not tell lies about God or about the human condition.” (Gan 68) If we view the media, especially social media, through this lens we will have a much more balanced and healthy relationship with it in turn.
The app does have some truthful aspects to it, but as a whole it is not entirely truthful due to it being a fictional game. Some of the details of the game are accurate, such as the food the animals eat, the ingredients in the food items, and the supplies required to make different clothing items. But overall, it is just an oversimplified version of what running an actual farm is like, so it is not entirely truth filled.
The Fifth Media Key: Inspiring
The next media key is inspiring, which is meant to help us weed out any content that is not ultimately helping us get to Heaven. We are called to ask ourselves if the media we are consuming is bringing us closer to Christ or closer to things of this world, and if the content is inspiring us to become better Catholics. Often times the media is so diverse and extensive that it can be easy to skew your perception, but it is important to sit back and be sure that the media you consume strictly motivates you to become a better Catholic.
This game could be perceived as inspiring to some, but overall, I don't think its main role is to inspire its audience. Some people could be influenced to spend more time outdoors, with animals, or even begin a garden from this game, but it is mostly seen as a game played to relax and wind down, if played with balance in mind.
The Sixth Media Key: Skillfully Developed
The sixth media key is skillfully developed. The church believes that the media should be skillfully developed. (Gan 99) The text also makes it known that the spirit behind the media is important, despite this not being the most important key. Catholics must be cautious when consuming media to ensure that what they are receiving is valuable information, that was carefully and intentionally crafted.
Hayday is very skillfully developed, and is considered one of the best strategy games on the market for iOS. The graphics are very impressive, and the developers spent a lot of time and consideration making the different aspects of the game. It is no longer the simple game of designing your farm it once was, but it now has fishing, the town, steamboats, trains, zoo animals, and team challenges that make it very diverse.
The Seventh Media Key: Motivated by and Relevant to Experience
The seventh media key discussed in Infinite Bandwidth is that it is motivated by and relevant to experience. According to the text, this means “media should take its cue from Christ and be rooted in the realities of the world we live in.” (Gan 116) It also goes on the state that “it should reflect our experience of the human condition.” (Gan 116) Media is meant to be created to be consumed in a way that is relatable and understandable to our current society, in a way that is also rooted in Christ and His teachings.
Hayday is somewhat relevant to and motivated by experience. They consider what the audience wants and enjoys when developing updates and does keep in mind the actual experience of farmers to help with realism.
Overall, Hayday is a well-developed app that has something to offer to everyone. The app follows the seven media keys well, and is a great option for people who need a break from media and opinionated conversations. Though it seems harmless, it is important to consider how any app affects you and your personal life, especially how much time you spend consuming them.
Seven Keys:Balanced:
Attitude:
Personal:
Truth-filled:
Inspired:
Skillfully Made:
Experienced:
Overall Rating:
29/35
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