Anybody new to Skyline halls will certainly be surprised when walking by Skyline’s computer labs during lunch. Every computer in the labs may likely be filled with an ardent gamer getting in a few more frags instead of enjoying his lunch.

A Quake 3 player arms his railgun.

By far the most popular game enjoyed by Skyline’s devoted school-time gamers is Quake 3. The game has been installed on every computer in the school as a hidden file. Rumor has it that a sophomore did this in the 2007-2008 school year.

Whatever the case, a server devoted to Quake 3 is usually up at all times of the school day. Players engage in intense skirmishes using rail guns, rocket launchers, plasma guns, and a whole amalgamation of current and future armaments. The creativity of Quake 3 devotees also matches the intensity and skill of their fire-fights. Recently, players bearing humorous and original names like “Lisa Hechtman” have been found. Besides Quake 3, HeliAttack 3, Tower Defense, Kitten Cannon, and several other games remain popular.

This parallels a trend in Issaquah High School where the game Pocket Tanks has run rampant. According to the recollection of some Eagles, the game first started when someone in Mr. Hansen’s accelerated block class at PCFC showed it to his classmates.

Do gamers ever get bored of playing free online games of relative simplicity or old games relatively lacking in graphics, such as Quake 3 which was published in 1999 for Windows? According to senior Jack Li, although most people prefer commercial real-time strategy, first person shooter, and role-playing games, being picky about a game to enjoy during lunch or class time is unnecessary.

However, many busy juniors have expressed that spending lunch-time on video games for entertainment is wasteful when you could be eating or at least doing homework. Others have stated that if you’re going to game, you might as well spend it on a game involving some degree of strategy or skill development such as chess or Typer Shark.

Are Skyline teachers aware of students using them for gaming usernames and playing during class time? Certainly, although most choose to take the game lightly and not completely shut down playing time.

As we move through the 21st century, gaming will only become a larger part of kids’ lives, including their lives at school. How teachers and students will address that trend is something only the future can tell us as it unfolds.