Game On, Blocks Out

Teen gamers, unite! Block Blast is calling, and it’s time to stack, match, and crush the leaderboard. Hurdling past 40 million daily users, this game is what some may call—a blast! With players from London, Paris, and Amsterdam, the Tetris-esque strategy from South Korea has gone overseas. But why has popularity skyrocketed for this simple, yet time consuming app? That’s a question for the ‘Blasters’ to answer…

Q: What are your opinions on the new hit game?

• “I’m pretty sick and tired of it.” Alex (USA)

• “Once you blast a block, you see a block to be blasted in everything.” Ian (USA)

• “Rewarding, dazzling, MAGNIFICENT!” Lily (USA)

• “This game takes me to my happy place… but can someone beat my high score?” Ishaan (India)

• “Pushes my buttons when I get that darn 3x3 block!” Summer (USA)

• “An addiction you actually enjoy!” Braedon (USA)

• “Never played it, looks boring.” Fraser (Scotland)

• “It's difficult, but I love getting high scores!” Siana (New York)

• “Everything’s boring when blocks are left unblasted.” Rhamondre (England)

• “As an old user of the game, I can say that after a couple of months the blast isn’t the same.” Robbe (Belgium)

• “I believe it is an exquisite form of entertainment.” Zara-Rehn Schalkwyk (South Africa)

• “Block Blast is one of the best games I have ever played.” Drissana Garcia (Mexico)

• “I like it. But I don’t play it regularly.” Emilio Zacarias (Mexico)

• “A Block Blast high score is the true measure of man.” Byron Prod (USA)

The general response is pretty emotional, showing that this game really gets in our heads. Strong vocab words like “dazzling,” “exquisite,” “addiction,” are only used when we have a serious connection to things. But how good is this? To begin, Block Blast requires no connection to the internet, making it the perfect time killer when our young adults can’t scroll away on social media. Plane rides, car rides, lines, waiting for dinner… just last week, my accompanying schoolmates indulged in the blast while traveling via aviation. It provided an easy escape from the mind-numbing hours of staring at head rests. Secondly, the captivating aspects of every mobile game; bright colors, affirmative quips, and vibrant explosions stimulate our minds to lock us in. The addicting factors are similar among all mobile device applications. For example, mental removal from social scenarios, short-term memory problems, dopamine imbalance, and much more. A friend of mine was unfortunately a victim of these symptoms recently. As they departed an aircraft upon arrival at their terminal, they were too busy blasting blocks to realize they had left their passport in the seat pocket in front of them! If it wasn’t for my teacher, it would have been lost for good. Goofs like this won't always end as funny stories to reminisce on, though.

However, Block Blast may help us in certain ways. Firstly, the game can promote socialization through competition. With its widespread player base, adolescents can converse on a shared interest. Furthermore, talks can continue as players aim to reach scores higher than their peers. While traveling, I experienced this firsthand. There was tension between another person and I, the ice was broken promptly upon the discussion of block blast high scores.

People can play together, reaching new heights and building stronger friendships. Another beneficial impact may be the separation from doom scroll apps like TikTok and Instagram Reels. These unhealthy apps which distort our perception of reality finally have a competitor that is not as worse. While kids used to be taking in misinformation, unrealistic standards, and consumerist tendencies, they are now developing strategic thinking and adaptation skills.

This game has taken over our youth, and their next player may be you. Would you have a go at blasting some blocks?