While both teachers and students hate to admit it and get caught, computer games are an integral part of the culture and entertainment for the McLean community. From freshmen to seniors, students find themselves connected through the promise that the incessant rattle of a teacher can be drowned out by the click and chime of video games. Whether they offer a temporary escape in between coursework or actually pose a large disadvantage to students’ learning, the debate is still up in the air.
However, the large range and entertainment of these games cannot be denied. From clicker to runner games, stories to puzzles, the complexity, styles and themes are as versatile as McLean’s own student body. Taking a closer look at students’ choices in entertainment can offer for a glimpse into student life at McLean.
First, we looked at a classic. Run—a fast-paced, semi-mindless runner game—perfectly mixes simplicity with advancement, providing a student favorite for short breaks. The game follows an alien through different tunnels with holes and obstacles, and requires advanced parkour skills as the levels progress. While there is a light story centered around activated dialogue when interacting with new playable characters, the main game focuses on either level-running or infinite running, depending on the version.
“I like [Run] because there’s different levels, and you can advance, and it gets harder, so you can progress your skill level,” sophomore Farah Alhasan said. “There’s different characters, so you can also pick out specific powers and kind of choose an appearance that you like.”
Similar to Run’s long-time popularity, the iconic retro game Snake also shares attention as a unique option. This is due to the game not residing inside an unblocked site, operating a stand-alone Google game. This difference makes the game nearly unblockable, allowing for the easy access to all students. The game centers around a snake that slithers along a checkerboard, eating different fruits to extend its length.
“I like how easy it [Snake] is,” junior Michelle Maribia said. “It’s so convenient to play and access”.
While the game started out as a 15 x 15 green grid with a singular red apple that respawned in various locations after consumption, the game has expanded over the years. Now, Google offers 22 different game modes, three different map sizes, three different speeds and dozens of aesthetic options.
“I try and like beat my friends and try and get better high scores than them,” junior Katrina Kanthraj said. “It’s just competitive and fun.”
Sometimes, even simpler is better. The game Slope offers no plot or extreme variation—except for speed change—but it still draws many students’ attention.
“It’s a pretty simple game,” junior Melissa Freson said. “It’s not complex, and it’s good for passing time.”
In Slope, the student controls direction using the keyboard as a ball rolling down a green and black slope. The ball encounters obstacles along the way like curving platforms and moving walls, as well as increased speed over time.
“Slope entertains me during class, and it’s one of the only games that aren’t blocked,” sophomore Olivia Bauer said. “I also like how it’s infinite. You can keep playing for a long time.”
Unlike many speed-based games, Duck Life combines racing with strategy and customization. Players train a duck in skills like running, swimming, flying and climbing before competing in races against other ducks—earning coins that can be used for upgrades and accessories along the way. One of the game’s biggest appeals is the ability to personalize each duck.
“I love customizing my baby duck,” junior Sarah Wafa said. “Maxing out her strengths and her abilities to fight against other baby ducks is so fun.”
As the series grew in popularity, more duck games have added larger worlds, quests and additional challenges, creating a perfect balance between quick gameplay and long-term progression that keeps students returning. Watching the duck that they raised progress from a beginner to a champion creates a sense of accomplishment and investment in a player.
Sometimes, though, the classics are what keeps students hooked. Despite being more than 1,500 years old, Chess continues to attract modern players, many of them who are students looking for a brain break during the school day. The classic game pits two players against each other in a battle of skill, where every move can completely change the outcome of the match. Many students enjoy the game, as players must constantly think ahead and adapt to their opponents moves, making no two games the same.
“[Chess is] just kind of strategic.“ junior Wyatt Donelson said. “You can play it quickly, and there’s a ranking system, so you can play against your friends,”
Many students also enjoy the challenge of improving their ranking over time and testing their skills against stronger opponents. With online matches and competitive rankings, Chess remains a popular choice for students wanting a break from school work, but still hoping to challenge themselves in another sense.
While not as ancient as Chess, Minesweeper has been a fan favorite since the 1990s. It prompts players to clear a grid while avoiding hidden mines, using numbered tiles as clues to determine which spaces are safe. Unlike many modern games, success in the game relies almost entirely on logic and problem-solving rather than speed or reflexes. The strategic element is exactly what keeps players interested.
“I like it because there’s strategy involved. It’s very problem-solving, and you have to think. It’s not like other games where nothing really goes on,” junior Finn Murphy said.
Every board is different, forcing players to carefully analyze patterns and make well thought out decisions before they click. Because each round of the game can be completed pretty quickly, the game is easy for students to pick up during short breaks throughout the school day.
However, no matter when games were released and what type of entertainment they provide, one thing remains true. Through blockers and banners, from school computers to smuggled home Macbooks, school games will always grace the bright screen of students on a boring day. Video games have been part of the school culture years before the class of 2026, and they will continue on long after the class of 2029 graduates. So, sit back, smile and don’t be discouraged when your favorite sight gets blocked—there will always be another chance to game.
