Students Stay Connected Through The World of Gaming

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Due to COVID-19, gaming culture is taking over the digital world. According to WIRED magazine, there are roughly 2.5 billion video game players in the world. Some popular games amongst youth (age 11-20+) are: Minecraft, Fortnite, Call of Duty, Among Us, and Counter Strike Global Offense.

Encinal is no exception to this take over. With new games coming out every month, the popularity of video games will only grow, especially for students that crave human interaction.

“Right now, Among Us is pretty popular because it's some form of human interaction after being in quarantine for a long time,” senior Marc Pingul said.

Pingul has played video games since 2010 primarily because he wants something to entertain himself and keep him busy. Video games are a common entertainment source for kids and adults. They also serve as a distraction from thoughts or concerns about real world issues.

“In my personal little world, I feel like Animal Crossing: New Horizons is both my most played games of recent and also one of the most popular games to come out in quarantine,” senior Fallon Hickmon said.

Kickmon plays games like Animal Crossing for the sheer joy of single player campaigns. She has played video games since she was a child, but due to COVID-19, has played them more than she did before. Hickmon enjoys time spent playing games by herself, which she considers a form of self care.

There are a lot of beneficial aspects to playing video games. Multiplayer games are a great way to interact with others and make new friends. Single player games offer challenges that help build determination and grit.