The Impact of Video Games: Good and Bad!

Video games are a popular and fun activity for many kids and teenagers. But have you ever wondered why they’re so popular? Why do some people love them, and why do others stay away? Read this article to find out what McCall Middle School students say about the impact of video games.

Students Who Play Video Games:

Even though I only interviewed ten people, the results still surprised me. Some students said that the characters and backgrounds in video games are creative and attractive to kids and teens. The backgrounds are so colorful that they make the games feel powerful. Characters in games like Fortnite and some Roblox games also have a strong impact on players. Because of this, game creators are adding more and more cool or pretty characters to their games.

In some games like Eggy Party, the creators even include gambling elements. Every time a player puts money into the game, they get some kind of game coins. These coins can have different colors, skins, and shapes! When you choose a character to “gamble” for, you need to spend a lot of coins — and often, multiple times. There are also many different characters in one game, each with their own personality. The game usually won’t let you get the final skin or character on your first try. The more coins you spend, the more you feel like that special skin is worth it.

To keep it fun and exciting, game creators design different modes of gambling: Smash the Golden Egg, Tic-Tac-Toe, Vending Machine, and even Jumping Grid! If you think about quitting, you can’t — because even when you don’t get the final character, you still receive accessories or a small version of the skin. But the final character is still the “big boss” that everyone wants. When you finally win it, the animation changes — it gets super fancy, and you hear a special voice from the character. Your heart pounds, and everything feels exciting and real. You think it’s an amazing game and want to try again, without realizing you’ve already spent a lot of money!

The background may not be connected to the money, but it still grabs the player’s attention. A good background helps create a great setting or plot.

Story and Setting Matter Too

Some sixth graders say the plot is one of the main reasons a game is interesting. If a game doesn’t have a plot, it’s definitely not going to be great. The background and everything else depend on the plot or setting. In games like Eggy Party or Roblox, the setting is very important. Every Roblox game has a backstory. You can follow the directions, solve mysteries, or complete tasks. If the story is interesting, the game will attract more players.

There are different types of games on Roblox: scary games, adventure games, dressing-up games, and more. In scary games, for example, characters might need help with a spooky mission. The story pulls you in, and you want to reach the goal. Sometimes, games on Roblox cost money to play, and it’s not just about the characters — it’s about the setting. People get hooked by the adventure and don’t mind spending money. If a game has a great plot, the company can make a lot of money.

The Influence of YouTubers

Another reason kids think games are fun is because YouTubers play them. YouTube is a platform for everyone, filled with fun and educational videos. When you find a YouTuber you like, especially someone with a lot of subscribers like MrBeast, you start watching and learning from them. Maybe teenage girls don’t watch gaming content as much, but I know many boys do.

When a famous YouTuber plays a game, you want to be like them. Even if the game isn’t that fun, they make it look amazing. Some game companies even pay YouTubers to play and promote their games. For example, my brother really likes a YouTuber from Taiwan. He plays every single Roblox game that YouTuber plays and even wants to buy the same skins. It’s amazing that one person can influence millions of people to play and spend money on a game!

So Many Games, So Little Time

Another reason games are so popular is the huge number of choices. In platforms like Roblox, you can play tons of games in a single day. You might not even know about some games until you try them — and once you do, you often can’t stop playing.

From a creator’s point of view, making these games takes a lot of time and effort. They spend thousands of hours designing them, and in return, they gain lots of players. As a gamer, you keep trying new games until your mom tells you to stop!

Time Flies When You're Gaming

Have you ever thought you only played two rounds of a game, but then an hour passed? One sixth grader said, “Maybe the games are super short, but I think the time passes so fast.” Some games really are short — like races or simple challenges. But when you don’t reach your goal, you want to try again. Sometimes the game gives you a new goal, or maybe you just want to do better.

For example, I play PUBG Mobile, which has different modes. There are short and long games. I tested them out and found that 11 short rounds took the same amount of time as one long round. But they gave me very different feelings. I hate waiting in long games, so I prefer the excitement of short ones. Video games can change your emotions and how you feel while playing.

Community and Strategy

“A sense of community and the strategy in the game mean a lot to me,” said one sixth grader. Video games can help teenagers feel safe and connected to their friends. At parties, teens enjoy playing together. But if a game doesn’t have teamwork or a welcoming community, it won’t be popular for long.

In Eggy Party, for example, you can team up, build your own game, and even make your own rules. Even if you're not good at drawing, you can use your imagination to build something creative.

Strategy is another big reason video games are fun. Some games make you think before you act. They’re not just about fighting — you need to plan, make smart choices, and train your brain. But be careful: not all games give you time to think. Some are just fast-paced battles. I’m not sure what game that sixth grader was playing, but it sounded fun and brainy!

Goals and Achievements

Every game has a goal or achievement, and that’s a big reason people keep playing. If a game didn’t have a goal, nobody would play it. Reaching a goal feels rewarding. You might get a special item from an NPC (non-playable character), and you can show off your achievement to your friends. That can make you feel really proud!

Games like Subway Surfers are easy to start but hard to master. You can run to higher levels and collect rare achievements. But be careful — not all games are honest. Some might promise money if you reach a high score, but they’re scams. They might steal your money instead. So always stay safe and play games that are trustworthy.

Students Who Don’t Play Video Games

At McCall, most students play video games. Out of the ten people I interviewed, nine play and only one doesn’t. The main reason for not playing is that they just haven’t tried it. Their environment is game-free — their friends don’t play, so they don’t either. That shows that video games aren’t that powerful. If you don’t play them, you really don’t play them.

But if someone around you starts playing, there’s a high chance you’ll want to try too. Not playing doesn’t mean you think games are boring — maybe you just have other things to do. Think about phones — you wouldn’t use one if no one around you had one. People who don’t play games might have other hobbies they find more fun!

This shows that the people around you — like family and friends — can really shape your choices. They can help you or lead you in the wrong direction. That’s why it’s important to choose good friends.

Not All Games Are for Everyone

Another reason some people don’t play is that certain games don’t seem interesting — especially for some girls. As I said earlier, not everyone finds video games fun. Everyone has different interests. Games have both positive and negative effects. That’s why people have different opinions.

At McCall, more students play than don’t, but there’s room for improvement. I suggest game companies make more types of games — not just battle or running games. There should be more games for girls too, like fashion games (Dress to Impress), business simulators, and creative storytelling games. A lot of girls enjoy watching YouTube Shorts — maybe there could be a game that combines brain training and short videos!

Final Thoughts

These are some reasons why people either love or avoid video games. If you have more ideas or questions, feel free to email me at:
📧 14215@wpsstudent.com

Video games can be fun, creative, and social — but they can also harm your eyes or waste your time if you’re not careful. Overall, McCall students seem to enjoy video games and have many reasons why. Game creators use smart tricks to keep us playing. Just remember: enjoy the games, but don’t let them control you!