Video game trends often rise quickly and fade just as fast. During the COVID-19 pandemic, games like Fortnite, Among Us, and Fall Guys were hugely popular among Tyrone Area High School students. Now, those once-packed lobbies are much quieter. For many players, the excitement eventually wore off, and teens moved on to other games.
When asked why COVID-era games are no longer as popular, TAHS students pointed to increased socializing, a return to normal routines, and less free time. Some also said those games became popular largely because people were stuck in quarantine with little else to do, causing many to turn to video games to pass the time.
Even so, many students still make time for their favorite games.
One title that has remained popular for years is Minecraft. Out of 54 survey responses, Minecraft was the most-played current game among TAHS students, earning 36 votes. Many Eagle Eye staff members still play the block-based game whenever they have free time.
Other popular choices included Grand Theft Auto with 19 votes, Fortnite with 17, and Roblox and Call of Duty, tied with 16 votes each.
When students were asked which games they played most while growing up, Minecraft again took first place with 44 votes. Roblox followed with 20 votes, while Call of Duty received 17 and Grand Theft Auto had 15.
When it comes to students’ favorite childhood gaming systems, the Xbox led with 24 votes, followed by PlayStation with 15 and the Nintendo Wii with four.
More than a decade ago, most games did not support cross-platform play, which made it difficult for friends using different consoles to play together. Today, gaming has become much more flexible, and many popular titles now allow players on different platforms to join the same lobby.
Among current gaming systems, PlayStation ranked first with 23 votes, followed by Xbox with 13 and PC/Steam with nine. Other systems mentioned in the poll included the Nintendo Switch with four votes, the Wii with two, and the Oculus Quest VR headset with one.
Before COVID-19, many students said they were judged for the gaming console they used most. Today, that stigma seems to have faded. A wider variety of systems is now common, and cross-platform gaming has made it easier for players to connect no matter what device they use.
