Luminosity

Tom and I were on a crazy puzzle-game rampage this Christmas week, so I thought I'd blog a little about Luminosity. I don't remember how I stumbled across this site, but I've had a lot of fun with it last year. And I notice that when I was play through all the games on a regular basis, I'm more productive in general, and my mood is better overall.

I should clarify by saying I'm more productive when I don't pull an all-nighter trying to get to the next level on some game, like I did with the final level "Bird Watching". And Tom apparently blew several hours trying to improve his speed scores yesterday when he should have been working!

It's very addictive. In fact, I find it as enjoyable as playing Warcraft in a way. Tom thinks it's because the quick reward system is similar, and I agree. Although, this is also much more fulfilling. (Unless you're running a large guild for leadership experience.)

Beyond the instant gratification though, Tom and I are very competitive. And now he's trying to catch up to some of my scores!

I've read that a score over 1600 BPI puts you in the 99.9th percentile for that game. So if you're competitive too, here's my Color Match score. I think I still have some room to improve, so hopefully I'll break that 1600 mark.


These games are just like physical exercise though and require that you work out each day to improve. I've noticed that having not played on the site for a couple months that I'm having trouble playing the levels I attained previously. My highest score on the last level of birdwatching is 20500 and right now that seems utterly impossible to duplicate. My BPI for that game is only 1212 however, so someone out there has eagle eyes like Dawn. (When we're kayaking Dawn will sometimes whisper something similar to "Look at that small dark bird covered in mud in the shadows under that bush on the other side of the river!" My response is always "Um, where again?")

Like the piano, improving also requires starting slow. And as my old piano teacher could tell you, I'm not very good at slow! I'd get a lot better, faster if I could learn that discipline.

Anyway, I recommend the site. There is a free trail that doesn't require a credit card or validating your email address. If you like the site, it's only $10 a month; and if you play there regularly I think you'll really notice the positive effects.