Gaming

Popular games among youths

The internet has become one of the main sources of entertainment and leisure for Singapore youths today. It is common for students to talk about computer games in the classrooms.

Gaming platforms can be broadly classified into three categories, with some of the more popular models in Singapore listed below:

1. Personal Computers
   • Desktop
   • Laptop
2. Consoles
   • Sony PlayStation
   • Microsoft Xbox
   • Nintendo Wii
3. Handhelds, Smartphones and Tablets
   • Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP)
   • Nintendo DS (NDS)
   • Apple iPod, iPhone, iPad

Some of the popular online games among Singapore youths include:

• Audition
• BlackShot
• Counter Strike: Global Offensive
• Defense of the Ancients 2 (DOTA: part of Warcraft 3: Frozen Throne)
• Facebook Games (Farmville 2, Pet Rescue Saga, Criminal Case, Farm Heros Saga, etc.)
• Grand Theft Auto 5
• League of Legends
• Left for Dead 2
• Mobile Games (Candy Crush Saga, Clash of Clans, Plants vs Zombies 2, etc.)
• Minecraft
• World of Warcraft

Tips for parents

1. Familiarise yourself with the games youths are playing by reading game reviews.
2. If you suspect the youth is gaming excessively, talk to him/her to find out more. Watch out for these warning signs:
   1. Loses interest in and even skips school and CCAs to play games
   2. Thinks about computer games more and more
   3. Becomes restless and irritable when trying to stop playing games
   4. Tries to play less, but fails

Highlight to the school counsellor/parent to follow up more closely with the youth if you suspect he/she is gaming excessively.