Why fruits?

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i have been playing this mini game lately

http://www.miniclip.com/platypus/platypus.htm

and something cross my mind, something worth wondering, i suppose. You know, in a lot of games, fruits (bananas, cherries, watermelons etc) are being used as bonus. Why fruits? You fly an aircraft, shoot the boss, and when the boss dies, it bursts into piles of fruits. You pull the trigger, 3 cherries in a low, bingo! Of all the things they (whoever they are) choose, they choosen fruits. Why? And of all the fruits, why cherries? Aren't apples more ... popular than cherries?

 

Because fruits are packed full of vitamins and phyto-chemicals to give you energy and help you live longer.

 

Actually, the use of fruits had its origins with the Irish famine in the mid-1800's, where the potatoe crops were ruined. Due to the lack of potatoes, fruits were seen as an alternative food source, and soon came to be seen as a sign of good luck. Now the Irish, in addition to being heavy drinkers, were also notorious gamblers, and thus the eventual association of fruits and slot machines and, later, games in general.

Well, maybe not, but it sounded good.

Edit: Please see below for an apology for this tastless "joke".

[ October 08, 2004, 15:27: Message edited by: Splunge ]

 

A beside,

OK, this may be another Urban myth but I recall that Rice was the alternative food source of choice during the Irish Potatoe famine. Unfortunately, no-one explained you should boil the rice first so some people died from eating large quantities of dry rice and it rupturing their stomachs when it expanded.

 

This could be part of a marketing policy to make games look "good for kids"

I have been living in Ireland for some time now. The Irish famine is one of the worst tragedies of the last century and shouldn't be made fun of. More than a million people died of hunger and some more died travelling to Australia or the US, looking for a brand new start. Some families were separated for generations. For all those who want some "reliable" information about it, check here.

 

@Colthrun: You know something? - You're absolutely right, and I apologise. Sometimes, in my attempt to inject some humour into a topic, I miss the mark completely, and this was one of those times.

My apologies to anyone else besides Colthrun who was offended by my remarks. I would edit out my previous comment, but I think it should probably stay as an example of what not to say.

 

So if it was true about the fruits in slot machine but that doesn't explain the fruits in video games. Why people started to adapt it from gambling to fun filling, heart warming, family enjoying video games?

Actually, come to think of it, why women and cars are displayed together? Haven't we passed the part which women are men's possessions?

 

@teekc, man see car with woman on/in it (in magazine or billboard or some other form of advertising). Man think 'If I get that car then I'll get the woman too (read: attract women in general)'. Labido tactics.

 

Does anyone else find it annoying that the government are always telling us to eat healthily, but refuse to give us any more money with which to buy the healthier food? I personally love fruit and vegetables but , not having much money, I tend to buy things that are better value and last longer

 

I'm allergic for lots of fruit so it's not that good for me.

I think BTA is right about the gambling bonus in slot machines...

 

Why fruits?

Because it would just be wrong to get a jackpot with let's say, three cabbages. Or three broccoli. Is there a plural for broccoli?

Fruits=sweet & tasty. Vegetables=bleh.

 

Broccoli! I once had a fight with Headbanging broccoli in a game, but I can't remember the name of that game

 

@Shell

Simple answer (if you have a garden) is to grow your own fruit & veg. Tomatos in a growbag can be grown just about anywhere.

 

@Carcaroth Vegetables might work, but I doubt if West Yorkshire is the right climate for oranges and bananas

 

So, why fruit? I'm always hungry so I goes for the food.

As for other people, I dont know...

 

Another funny thing along the same lines. In fighting games telephone box's, rubbish bins, crates etc always have fruit, cooked turkeys, joints of meat etc. Would you really eat someting out of a bin or a phone box? I'd rather strave!

 

Wel maybe I would eat from a Phone box

 

Broccoli is the plural, the singular (from Italian) would be broccolo.