Yesterday, I tried out Virtual Villagers, and ended up buying the trilogy. I'm only working on the first game right now.

Last night, I left my village with two scientists, a healer, a couple kids, two builders, etc. I was hoping I'd earn enough tech points to unlock the second level of farming.

When I entered the village this morning, two villagers were dead(and I had no idea how to bury them). Also, all of their food was gone. My tech points had only gone up to a little over 4000, so I didn't have enough.

I started over, since I didn't think I could save the village before they all died, as the berries on the big bush were dwindling, with too few tech points at my disposal.

I imagine now I'll have to 'employ' more scientists, maybe three or four. Except that some villagers just can't seem to get it, no matter how often I plunk them before that table. Other villagers don't seem to be capable of anything, XD. I'll plunk them all over the place, but nothing sticks. Does setting their skill preference make any difference?

I was also wondering if children ever gather mushrooms on their own, or if I have to keep finding mushrooms for them to pick?

In the meantime, I've set the game at a slower speed, while I work things out. Poor little guys. No matter which virtual life game I play, I always get sentimental about my digital 'children.' XD