It’s so popular that students talk about it every day. A few have gone insane over it. Teachers simply don’t know what to do. No, this isn’t a maniacal cult, it’s just one of the many viral unblocked games this winter season. In this holiday edition of deep dive, help me investigate our most controversial topic yet through interviews, research and analysis. 

What are unblocked games websites? Well, simply put, unblocked game websites are websites that host a collection of small arcade games. They work by circumventing a firewall through various methods, such as disguising as something they aren’t. While the games in question are not very large, their impact can be huge. “A few days ago, I was supervising BSS, when I came across a very energetic kid.” said Ms. Malhan, one of many teachers who has witnessed the influence unblocked games have had. “He insisted upon showing me this game, and while I objected at first, I regressed into a tween, and tried it out.  It was a random sledding game, but kind of like Subway Surfer and Minion Run.  Within three minutes, I understood the addiction.  Then I remembered I was supposed to be strict and supervising a punishment, so I stopped.  But I also really stopped because every time I tried to accumulate gift boxes, my sled would crash, and my high score was only 6.” The game Ms. Malhan is talking about is one of many popular holiday unblocked games here at Wredling. In fact, it’s what we’ll focus on today, and for the purposes of the article we’ll call it “The Toboggan Game”.  

These holidays, “The Toboggan Game” has taken the unblocked games scene by storm. Unlike many other simple games, it features real graphics, has an in-game shop, and saves high scores. The goal is to go as long as you can without crashing into an obstacle. Even with its features in mind, it still perplexed me why holiday games like this are made, and how they are able to compete with each other in this competitive market?

I reached out to a student who played the game. 

Q: How long have you been playing this game, and who showed it to you in the first place?

A: “I’ve been playing for a few weeks now. I don’t play as much as some of my friends do, and they were the ones who showed me the game in the first place.”

Q: Why do you think this game is so popular now? Is it because of the holiday season? Or is it because of something else?

A: “It’s because of the holiday season, but not in the way you think. I think it has to do with the fact that you can kill time, but also feel that holiday sense of connection with friends and family-especially since everyone is into these games.”

Many people, such as myself a few times, are guilty of playing unblocked games on their school computer. The school takes a hardline stance on this topic, claiming that school devices are a privilege and not to be misused. Yet the unblocked games addiction is, in many ways, a place where students can relax. In a new digital era, sometimes we must adapt to the trend. Reading may be a source of calm for some students, but for others video games are. In fact, video games–in moderation- can have benefits such as better hand-to-eye coordination.

In conclusion, the holiday games genre craze is a result of a source of comfort more than the timing. The ability to compete and talk with your friends brings a sort of social connection, especially needed now that finals have come. While games like these will at some point die out, the greater debate over adolescents’ mental health still stands.