Grow A Garden Eiken 1

EIKEN Grade 1
Reading Class

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“Grow a Garden” and the Rise of Relaxed Gaming

Warm Up

​What kinds of video games are most popular with children and teenagers in Japan?

Do you think playing games can be educational?

What do you know about gardening or farming in real life?

Have you ever learned something important or surprising from a game?

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relating to the science or art of growing plants

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horticuturtal

astronomy

culinary

mechanical

Multiple Choice

a major achievement or stage in development

• goal
• target
• objective
• milestone

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a base system or service that supports apps, games, or technology

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platform

device

framework

interface

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happening at the same time ​

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simultaneous

consecutive

isolated

delayed

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rewards or benefits that encourage certain actions

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incentives

punishments

disincentives

obstacles

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naturally occurring environments like forests, deserts, or oceans​

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biomes

ecosystems

habitats

climates

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connected to human behavior and decision-making ​ ​

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behavioural

mechanical

random

predictable

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having doubts or not easily convinced

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skeptical

confident

certain

naive

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unusual or rare, often from another part of the world

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exotic

mundane

commonplace

ordinary

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never seen or experienced before

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unprecedented

commonplace

ordinary

familiar

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to grow or develop something over time

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cultivate

destroy

neglect

stagnate

​The relaxing, horticultural-themed game Grow a Garden has recently shattered a huge milestone in the world of online gaming. On June 14th, it reached 16.4 million users playing at the exact same moment. That number alone broke the previous record set by the global hit Fortnite, which had 14.3 million concurrent users. Just one week later, Grow a Garden shocked the gaming world again, pushing its record even higher—to 21.3 million simultaneous users. This made it the most-played video game at a single point in history. Its success represents more than just numbers—it shows how different kinds of games are now taking center stage in a market that used to be ruled by action, battle, and shooting genres. This kind of relaxed game reaching such popularity is truly unprecedented.

​One key to Grow a Garden's massive success lies in its strong player retention. In other words, players don’t just try it once—they come back again and again, sometimes daily. The game allows people to escape from stress and enjoy a peaceful environment, where they care for a little patch of virtual land. According to a spokesperson from Roblox, the online gaming platform that hosts Grow a Garden, the game’s popularity is due to its “vibrant social interactions” and long-term appeal. Unlike fast-paced games where players fight or race, this one invites collaboration and slow progress. Families can play together. Friends can visit each other’s gardens. The whole experience encourages positive behavior and personal creativity in ways that traditional games rarely do.

​Players start with an empty piece of land, and slowly turn it into a beautiful digital garden. They can buy seeds, plant vegetables, water them, and eventually harvest them to earn in-game currency. That currency is then used to unlock new tools and garden expansions. As players continue, they can explore different biomes, such as underwater gardens, snowy landscapes, or magical forests. These new areas keep the experience fresh and exciting. Players also have the opportunity to discover and plant exotic crops, including glowing mushrooms or floating flower species that don’t exist in real life. This variety helps keep the game fun and surprising, encouraging players to keep improving their gardens over time.

​Why do people keep coming back to this virtual garden? Many experts believe that the use of incentives is a big part of the answer. The game rewards players when they complete tasks, level up, or unlock something new. This mirrors the way rewards work in real life and provides a sense of achievement. These systems are carefully designed to increase engagement, but some behavioural scientists are cautious. They say that if players get too used to quick, digital rewards, it may reduce their patience or interest in slower, real-world hobbies. Still, others argue that simulation games help develop skills like time management, decision-making, and long-term planning—all of which are valuable beyond the screen.

​With so many users worldwide, some educators and parents wonder if Grow a Garden might inspire kids to start real gardening. In fact, a few schools are already using it in science or biology classes. It can introduce students to the idea of ecosystems, food production, and environmental responsibility. Whether or not the game actually causes players to cultivate real plants, it certainly opens the door for conversations. However, not everyone agrees about the game’s educational value. Some people are skeptical, saying that video games are still entertainment first and that most players won't carry their virtual hobbies into the real world. That said, even starting to think about nature through play could be a positive first step.

​The BBC interviewed Professor Andrew Przybylski, a psychologist who studies the effects of video games. He was asked if Grow a Garden could make players more interested in gardening outside of the game. He was clear in his answer: “It is unlikely,” he said. He compared it to Super Mario and plumbing—just because you play a game about something doesn’t mean you’ll want to do it in real life. He remained skeptical that digital gardening could translate into real-world behavior. However, he admitted that games like this do provide a unique, peaceful space online. While not all players will plant a real flower, they might think about nature in new ways—and that could be the beginning of something real.

Multiple Choice

The game is hosted by PlayStation, not Roblox.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Some schools are using Grow a Garden in science and biology lessons.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

The game gives players rewards for finishing small tasks or leveling up.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Behavioural scientists all believe the game encourages real-life gardening.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Players can grow magical and underwater gardens in the game.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Grow a Garden reached over 21 million players in one moment, breaking the record twice.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Professor Przybylski believes the game will strongly inspire kids to grow real gardens.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

The game was originally made for farmers in rural areas.

• True

• False

Drag and Drop

What are some examples of exotic plants or features that players can unlock in Grow a Garden? ​

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mushrooms

cacti

weeds

plastic flowers

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Why might simulation games like Grow a Garden help people develop real-world skills?​

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teach planning, decision-making, and patience

encourage reckless behavior

promote instant gratification

reduce critical thinking skills