Magical Isle is a text-based adventure game that takes players on a thrilling journey to a mystical and enchanting island. The game immerses players in a captivating narrative, allowing them to make choices and shape the outcome of the story. Through the power of words, Magical Isle transports players to a world full of wonder and mystery. In the game, players are presented with various scenarios and are given multiple choices for how to proceed. These choices can range from solving puzzles and riddles to interacting with characters and exploring different locations on the island. Each decision players make has consequences, leading to different outcomes and branching storylines that provide a unique and personalized gaming experience.
Each decision players make has consequences, leading to different outcomes and branching storylines that provide a unique and personalized gaming experience. The text-based nature of Magical Isle allows for a deep level of immersion and imagination. As players read the vivid descriptions of the island, its inhabitants, and the events that unfold, their minds conjure up images and sensations, bringing the game to life.
Do magic tricks work on monkeys? Only if they have opposable thumbs like us.
Psychologists tested how different species of monkey reacted to the famed French drop.
By Laura Baisas | Published Apr 4, 2023 11:00 AM EDT
Similar anatomy, not a shared sense of humor, might be key for experiencing deception from a pretty common magic trick. In a new study, a team of psychologists tested a sleight-of-hand trick called the French drop on three species of monkeys with different hand structures. In this trick, an object appears to vanish when a spectator assumes it is taken from one hand by the hidden thumb of the other hand.
The monkeys without opposable thumbs did not fall for the assumption and were aware of the whereabouts of the treats a magician tried to “make disappear.” But, the monkeys with opposable thumbs were duped. The findings were published April 4 in the journal Current Biology.
From the results, it appears that in order to deceive, a conjuror needs a similar anatomy to their audience. Sharing a particular biomechanical ability may be necessary to accurately anticipate and predict the movements of another with the same limbs. This phenomenon turns out to be true even when the apparently accurate predictions end in confusion at the hands of an illusionist.
“Magicians use intricate techniques to mislead the observer into experiencing the impossible. It is a great way to study blind spots in attention and perception,” study author Elias Garcia-Pelegrin said in a statement. “By investigating how species of primates experience magic, we can understand more about the evolutionary roots of cognitive shortcomings that leave us exposed to the cunning of magicians.”
Garcia-Pelegrin, now a psychology professor at the National University of Singapore, has practiced magic for a decade and conducted these experiments during his PhD work at Cambridge University.
The French drop is often one of the first tricks budding magicians set out to master. In the trick, a coin is displayed in one hand. The other hand then reaches over and grabs the coin. The palm of the second hand faces inwards, with the magician’s thumb concealed behind fingers. The viewer knows the thumb is lurking and ready to grip, so they assume the coin has been taken when it is no longer visible. Their attention then follows the second hand, only to find it empty. Meanwhile, the magician had secretly dropped the coin into the palm of the original hand.
In this study with monkeys, morsels of food replaced coins and the treats were given as a reward– but only if the monkey guessed the correct hand. Going into the experiment, the team predicted that monkeys with opposable thumbs would act like human audiences and assume that the hidden thumb had grabbed the treat, and then select the incorrect hand.
The team repeatedly performed the French drop for 24 monkeys from three species– capuchins, squirrel monkeys, and marmosets.
The eight capuchin monkeys were tested using peanuts. This species boasts noteable dexterity and uses stone tools to crack open nuts in the wild. Capuchins can also waggle each finger and have opposable thumbs which allow “precision grip” between thumb and forefingers. They were fooled by the French drop about 81 percent of the time, mostly choosing the empty second hand.
While less dexterous than their capuchin counterparts, squirrel monkeys have limited thumb rotation, but can oppose their thumbs. They are typically familiar with a hidden thumb interacting with fingers, but they cannot cannot perform a precision grip the way capuchins and humans do. The squirrel monkeys were tested with mealworms and were fooled 93 percent of the time.
Marmosets do not have opposable thumbs and have thumbs that align with their fingers to make five equidistant digits. These are ideal for climbing up thick tree trunks. They were fooled only 6 percent of the time. They chose the hand that initially held a tasty marshmallow was initially placed and stuck with it for this experiment.
A capuchin monkey is tested with a fake French drop – so the treat is actually transferred from hand to hand – as part of the experiment. CREDIT: Elias Garcia-Pelegrin.
The team tried to nullify the tricks by actually completing the hand-to-hand transfers, instead of using misdirection. When this occurred, the capuchins and squirrel monkeys anticipated correctly, while the marmosets missed out on their reward.
As a last step, the team devised their own version of the French drop called the “Power drop”. It utilizes a full fist grab, which is a hand action that all the monkey species could perform to varying degrees. They found that the power drop fooled all of the monkey species the vast majority of the time.
“There is increasing evidence that the same parts of the nervous system used when we perform an action are also activated when we watch that action performed by others,” co-author and Cambridge psychologist Nicola Clayton said in a statement. “This mirroring in our neural motor system might explain why the French drop worked for the capuchins and squirrel monkeys but not for marmosets.”
The team adds that how fingers and thumbs move helps space the way an individual thinks and the assumptions made about the world around us.
“Our work raises the intriguing possibility that an individual’s inherent physical capability heavily influences their perception, their memory of what they think they saw, and their ability to predict manual movements of those around them,” said Clayton.
Laura is a science news writer, covering a wide variety of subjects, but she is particularly fascinated by all things aquatic, paleontology, nanotechnology, and exploring how science influences daily life. Laura is a proud former resident of the New Jersey shore, a competitive swimmer, and a fierce defender of the Oxford comma.
A researcher at Cambridge University at the time of the study, Garcia-Pelegrin and a team of his colleagues tested 24 monkeys representing three species, performing the French drop for the adorable audience. First they showed their primate audience a favored treat. They then either pretended to transfer the treat in a French drop, or actually transferred it to the other hand.
This literary aspect of the game fosters a sense of connection between the player and the world they are navigating. The game is not limited by graphics or animations, relying solely on the power of words to engage and captivate players. This creates a dynamic and engaging experience, leaving players to rely on their own imagination and problem-solving skills to progress through the game. The magical elements of the game add an extra layer of intrigue and excitement. From encountering mythical creatures to uncovering ancient artifacts, players are constantly surrounded by supernatural phenomena. This adds to the sense of wonder and the need to explore every nook and cranny of the island. Overall, Magical Isle is a unique and immersive text-based adventure game that combines compelling storytelling with a rich and imaginative world. It allows players to experience a virtual journey that is shaped by their choices and decisions. With its blend of mystery, magic, and exploration, this game is sure to capture the hearts of players looking for an unforgettable gaming experience..
Reviews for "Magical Isle: A Paradise for Water Sports and Outdoor Activities."
- Jessica - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Magical isle txt". The characters were one-dimensional and the plot was predictable. I found myself getting bored halfway through and had to force myself to finish it. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating read.
- Michael - 1 star - "Magical isle txt" was a complete waste of time for me. The writing was clumsy and filled with grammatical errors. The storyline was poorly developed and lacked any originality. I expected a magical adventure, but instead, I got a jumble of clichés and clichéd characters. I regret picking up this book and would advise others to steer clear of it.
- Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Magical isle txt" based on the buzz it received, but it fell flat for me. The pacing was slow, and the world-building was lacking. The magic system was poorly explained, leaving me confused throughout. The romance felt forced and unrealistic. Overall, I found this book to be underwhelming and not worth the hype.
- David - 2.5 stars - "Magical isle txt" was an average read for me. It had its moments, but overall, it didn't stand out from other books in the genre. The writing was decent, but the plot felt recycled, and the characters didn't leave a lasting impression. If you're looking for a light fantasy read, this might suffice, but don't expect anything mind-blowing.