Simple, yet addictive

Ava Jurek Features Editor

Astechnology has evolved, so has gaming. What was once only possible in an arcade, can now be played virtually anywhere. Mobile games are far simpler than more technologicallyadvanced console games with nearreal graphics—yet they may be even more addictive.

Mobile gaming is popular among students for its mobility and variety. Senior Giada Dolce enjoys playing mobile games, especially adventure games and word games such as Wordscapes.

“The longest time I would spend on mobile gaming is two hours, but on average, I play at least one hour a day,” she said.

Dolce is not the only student spending time mobile gaming. In a voluntary email survey sent to the Maine South student body, 48% of people surveyed play for at least 30 minutes every day.

Although this may look like mindless time wasted, mobile gaming has many social and mental benefits.

“If you play a puzzle game on your phone, I have found it can help lower your stress levels,” Dolce said.

Besides mobile gaming’s mental benefits, they can also provide positive social effects. The JV girls’ basketball team used mobile gaming as a form of team bonding this past successful season. By playing the mobile game Hay Day together as a team, they were able to all be a part of something more than just the game of basketball itself.

“It was a fun inside joke for our whole team to play Hay Day on a bus before a game,” sophomore Makayla Waters said.

The many benefits of mobile gaming have led to its rise, which has opened the doors to a new market for advertising. Many companies are taking advantage of this huge boom. Almost any mobile game nowadays will be interrupted occasionally with a wide variety of ads.

Despite constant advertisements, players have grown to accept them.

“The ads in mobile games are certainly annoying, but as time goes on, I tend to get used to seeing the ads on my screen,” Dolce said. “Now I just ignore them.”

One reason why many don’t mind the ads is because of the addictiveness that comes along with this form of gaming.

“I definitely feel like mobile games are addicting for me and many others, because once you start playing a game on your phone it is hard to stop,” Dolce said. “Especially when you get deep into the game. ”

Southwords recommends: Best mobile games to play with friends

Roblox allows you to play thousands of different games with your friends. The game is perfect for anyone because of the variety it offers. Design an avatar, add your friends, and explore the many worlds and game options Roblox has to offer including roleplays, tycoons, lobbys, adventures, simulators, fighting, and many more.

Game Pigeon is a multiplayer game that is sent back and forth through iMessage. They have a wide variety of games, ranging from 8-Ball, Mini Golf, Crazy 8’s (Uno), Battleship, Archery, Darts, Basketball, Connect 4 and more. Game Pigeon can be played with just one friend or with a group of up to five others.

Minecraft offers room for lots of creativity. Players have the option of playing in Creative or Survival mode. Creative mode is for players to use their imagination in creating whatever they desire at an easier level, while Survival mode is a higher difficulty and focuses on enduring challenges as the day goes on.

You have just inherited your grandfather’s old farm in Stardew Valley. You are given hand-me-down tools and a few coins to begin your new life as a farmer. Players can create the farm of your dreams and turn overgrown fields into a lively and beautiful farms, while also becoming a part of the local community.