Students Take on Video Game Development page 8

Retro Resurgence? pages 14-16

Gaming as Girls: A Look into Gaming Culture page 22

History of Video Games page 24 2 December 18, 2020

“What else are we supposed to do?”

The recent Seattle Times article by fellow Newport student Lauren Kirkpatrick (11) galvanized an in-class conversation regarding the role of Knightlife in the Newport community. We believe it is imperative to address the matter of racism at Newport High with forthright transparency, and to reflect on how we, as a publication, can improve. In September, we collectively agreed to adhere to several points in our Code of Conduct. One, seek truth and report it; two, minimize harm; three, act independently; and four, be accountable and transparent. In the context of racist incidents within the school community, both recent and ongoing, the situation begs the question of whether we have upheld such standards. Before we address this question, we want to make clear the role of Knightlife at Newport. As with any publication, our role is to provide the readers with uninhibited information, spark productive discourse, and most importantly, reflect the voices and experiences of Newport students and faculty. Therefore, in light of racist incidents at school, this publication should be an outlet through which conversations on racism have a seat at the editors’ table. With that in mind, we acknowledge the following shortcomings. We, the members of Knightlife, have not been proactive in seeking dialogue on racism at Newport; largely impercipient to the need for such dialogue in our publication; complacent in the face of racist incidents; and have not adequately amplified the voices of those who face and suffer from racism at Newport. We want to do better, and we believe an inability to openly address racism at school will be a failure on our part to uphold our aforementioned standards. For that reason, the following are specific ways in which we will do better:

1. We will foster a publication in which conversations on racism are advanced through productive discourse by inviting students, administration, and educators to share their thoughts in writing. 2. We will be more proactive in listening to and writing on experiences that amplify the voices of those who experience and suffer from racism at Newport. 3. We will strive to cover stories on racist incidents and their implications.

Through such changes, we hope to shape this publication into an effective medium and a catalyst for positive change at Newport. These three points addressed above are only starting points and were prepared right before the online distribution of this edition. As a result, the following pages do not reflect the changes outlined in this statement. Henceforth, we hope to hold true to these new standards to make Newport a more inclusive and welcoming place.

-20-21’ Knightlife december 18, 2020 News 3

DECEMBER-JANUARY

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Christmas Eve Christmas Day Mid-Winter Break

27 28 29 30 31 1 2 New Year’s Eve New Year’s Day Mid-Winter Break

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 International School Lottery applications close

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Advanced Learning Testing MLK Day

store. The lack of employees and interaction certainly makes the short grocery trip much more isolating. As we left, my mom kept trying to Should You Go with pay. Together we asked a few times if we had paid because we were so shocked at how easy it was. Apparently, this can be an issue for some Amazon Go? buyers. According to CNBC, “money experts recommend going cash only if you’re looking to cut back,”, which is in direct opposition with Amazon Go MAGGIE MALLEY Grocery as it is considered an element of “friction free spending,” meaning Reporter “using a credit card or a mobile payment method like Apple Pay” that can “[encourage] you to splurge.” Certainly, test out this new age store, but Amazon, a company of many firsts, has recently developed a grocery with awareness for its potential impact on the job market, and your wallet! store offering what they describe as Just Walk Out Shopping. This new system enables one to enter the store and leave with your items, no check out! A simple download of the Amazon Go app and a membership with Amazon will permit you to join this new age of grocery shopping. However, there are some varying opinions regarding its impact and overall setting. Noah Scott (12) stated that Amazon Go Grocery is “[an] example of technological advancements taking human jobs,” while admitting that there is the benefit of “simplicity to shopping.” Similarly, Kaley Rivas (12) admitted that there were various positives linked to this new technology and that various “aspects are very smart because you cannot steal from the store” because “your card is automatically charged” upon exiting. Nevertheless, she was unhappy with the lack of “small moments of human interaction.” Rivas also carried the same concerns as Noah stating that this development could “put a lot of people out of jobs” and could lead to their “[being] isolated.” While noting that there were likely jobs that “[arose] from the Amazon Go stores because of the technology aspect,” Kaley frets that there has also been an elimination of jobs for the lower-class people without access to higher levels of education.” With all of this in mind, I decided to pay the local Amazon Go Grocery store in Bellevue a visit. Similar to a metro, a turnstile prevents you from Images courtesy of Google Images. Amazon Go stores are popping up everywhere. entering the store without having your app set up. Once my mom and I What does this mean to us? figured that out, we entered the small store, admittedly impressed by the low pricing. There was a great variety of items and produce, no complaints there, yet there still was a different and somewhat saddening aura to the 4 News DECEMBER 18, 2020 Social Gaming During Social Distancing KATHERINE CHANG Reporter Quarantine is an experience that has flipped everyone’s world upside down and changed the world that we live in. One large change that occurred was in the entertainment industry, specifically the gaming branch. During the months of quarantine, there has been a visible rise in social games, a type of game that is played with other people rather than being played in solitude. Some of these games include Animal Crossing and Among Us, both games that found new popularity during social distancing. Of course, social gaming is not a new idea; the industry has existed for many years and had steady growth in past years. However, quarantine has exponentially increased social gaming in just a few months. According to Verizon, “U.S. video game usage during peak hours has gone up 75 percent since the quarantine first went into effect.” Among Us reported an increase from an average of 117.6 users in January 2020 to 114,344.4 users in November 2020, and according to Nintendo, Animal Crossing: New Horizons surpassed 26 million sales in its mere nine months of release according to Nintendo. Image by Google Images. Characters from Nintendo's new Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Dayma Nicole López Hernández (09) recalled, “video games had never been an essential part of my life before the pandemic. I was always busy with homework, school, clubs, chores, or literally anything else.” However, after the pandemic hit, her experience changed when she picked up Animal Crossing: New Horizons to play with her friends. “We could go hours at a time just touring each other’s islands and generally vibing online. To have a game that is so open-ended and be its own little world really made a difference because it was a way for us to escape from everything going on and get together safely.” Similar to Hernandez, lots of people have used social games as a way to connect with their friends and as a safe place away from all of the chaos of COVID-19. On the other hand, some have drifted further away from video games since quarantine started. Sagan R (12) said, “ I've spent less time playing less video games in general during quarantine, co-op games included. This is mostly because I've had less motivation to play video games recently since I already spend so much time staring at screens every day.”

Yet despite the decrease in gamers like Sagan, social gaming is predicted to continue to grow in future years. According to a report conducted by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. (GIA), “Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Social Gaming estimated at US$17.6 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$43.9 Billion by 2027.” 65% of Knightlife survey respondents also said that they would continue to meet online with their friends after quarantine, showing that social gaming won’t die out soon. Social gaming has proven itself to be a new, popular form of communication with a promising future. The 2020 Presidential Election GAVIN FRITZ Editor As the presidential election results dragged on over the course of the week of November 2nd, the results became clearer. Biden would win. On the Saturday of that week, Biden was projected to be the winner of the 2020 presidential election. That day, people flooded the streets in celebration, almost all wearing masks but clearly not following social distancing guidelines. As Biden gave his victory speech that night, millions watched on as the next president of the United States of America spoke about the magnitude of the task in front of him and the country. It was an emotional night for many around the Image by Google Images. President-elect Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. country, with the first woman of color Jill Biden, pictured the night of Joe Biden's Victory Speech. being elected vice president- Kamala Harris. Although, there was one glaring absence that night; a concession speech from Donald Trump. In the aftermath of the election, incumbent president Donald Trump has called the election fraudulent. He has since demanded recounts in swing states and launched a series of lawsuits aimed at overturning the results of multiple swing states. As Alexander Ratte (12) said, “Recounts in swing states should only be helpful, either revealing if something went wrong or assuring the people of legitimate results.” In the months leading up to the election, Trump began to claim that the election would be rigged if he lost and put forth ideas that mail in voting equated fraud, even though the risk of voter fraud in mail in voting is only a miniscule fraction of a percent. The Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security have both found no evidence of widespread voter fraud. Even with the efforts from his soon to be predecessor- Biden has begun his transition into the White House, from appointing his secretaries of state and the treasury to outlining an agenda for the first 100 days in office, facing an unprecedented series of crises to deal with, including a public health crisis, economic crisis, and the ever-growing threat of climate change. December 18, 2020 News 5

children spend with screens is one way to increase physical activity, but this is not supported by research.” UNICEF even went as far as to claim that Screen Time Concerns “for many stuck inside today, the opposite actually holds true: active video games or exercise videos might be [the] best chance for physical activity.” Physical impacts aside, concerns also exist for the social impact on youth. During COVID-19 Anthro Medical Group stresses that “kids who spend a large amount of time MAGGIE MALLEY using electronic devices can lack the social skills that help them to develop Reporter into well rounded adult” as it “reduc[es] time spent interacting with other children in person,” potentially “imped[ing] future relations in adolescence With the COVID-19 pandemic limiting social interaction, it is no surprise and adulthood.” Our Newport body shares many of the same concerns. Ella that UNICEF notes that for digital game distributors such as Steam, there Wilbur (11) was already concerned with screen times before the outbreak. has been a “[reported] considerable increase in the number of daily users She worries that “now it is even worse and probably affects students’ mental over the past weeks: from 19 million in early March to a record high of 23.5 health and schoolwork even more”. On the opposite side of the spectrum, million in early April.” This significant change has many concerned, so let Fraser Ormiston (12) feels blessed by his ability “to stay connected and us evaluate the risks. Anthro Medical Media stresses that too much screen still hangout [with his friends].” Ormiston admits to “playing way more time can cause sleep deprivation with the “blue light emitted from screens… video games” but considers it an alternative to being able to go outside [interfering] with the sleep cycle of the brain”, potentially “[leading] to and being with friends in person. Grace Rausch (12) saw the light and insomnia.” Looking at screens for prologued periods can also cause “eye dark in this situation, describing it as “both a blessing and a curse”. She strain, dry eye, blurred vision, headaches and in some cases refractive cited the ability to “form new kinds of connections through social media,” error.” While somewhat debatable, screen-time is often associated with a though admitting that “it is also unhealthy to [stay online] for a long time.” lack of physical activity, potentially leading to childhood obesity or lack of Overall, Rausch offers wise words in recommending a healthy balance and fitness. According to UNICEF, “some argue that restricting the time moderation in your screen time.

NING WEI The Future of Military Recruiting: Esports? Editor In an attempt to connect with a younger generation of prospective Elite Series 2 controller - an enhanced video game controller that can cost soldiers, the United States Army has turned to an unconventional platform: upwards of $200 - by entering an Army giveaway. But when they clicked on streaming esports on Twitch. the link, a report by The Nation claims, viewers were instead directed to “a While the idea of combining military and video games may seem recruiting form with no additional mention of a contest, odds, total number unlikely at first, the duo has surprisingly been around for many years. of winners, or when a drawing will occur.” Though a notice on the post- America’s Army, a video game designed to inform, educate, and recruit submission page added that recruiters are not permitted to contact a child potential soldiers, was launched by the U.S. Army in 2002. However, the under the age of 16, children as young as 12 could submit the form. Army’s esports team was established much more recently, formed in 2018 Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) responded to the controversy after the Army missed its recruiting goal for the first time in 13 years, falling earlier this year with a proposal to block recruitment practices and funding short by about 6,500 enlistees. for recruitment practices on streaming video game platforms such as “Calling the Z generation on the phone doesn’t work anymore,” Maj. Twitch. Her amendment would have been added to the House Committee on Gen. Frank Muth said in an interview with NPR, explaining that traditional Appropriations Bill, which sets the Department of Defense’s budget. recruitment methods such as phone lists and career fair booths are not “Children should not be targeted in general for many marketing purposes effective in persuading the younger generation to enlist. To meet their target in addition to military service,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “I believe we should audience, the Army needed to instead expand upon its digital presence. restrain and restrict ourselves from explicit recruitment tactics on platforms “We’re really giving the power back to our recruiters to go on Twitter, to that children are using to play games from Animal Crossing to Call of Duty... go on Instagram, and use that as a venue to start a dialogue with the Z We cannot conflate war and military service with this kind of gamified generation.” content.” In addition to creating accounts on social media websites, the Army Jerry Li (12) agrees with Ocasio-Cortez’s stance. “Fans of shooter expanded its digital presence by forming an esports team consisting of active games, especially military-style games like Call of Duty, might get the idea duty as well reserve personnel. The team attends video game conventions that real war is similar to the games they enjoy playing,” Li stated. “Because where they compete against other e-sport teams, but their most notable a large portion of this audience is young, it would be easy [for the Army] presence is their account on Twitch, a platform where anyone can live- to market military life as a real-life shooter game, which hides a lot of the stream videos of themselves playing games and engaging with their viewers. hardships and trauma associated with being in the military or in combat.” The USArmyEsports account streams consistently, sometimes daily, with However, Ocasio-Cortez’s proposal eventually failed with a vote count videos of team members playing popular games such as Call of Duty and of 126 yeas to 292 nays. Opponents of the amendment argued that on World of Warcraft. Twitch, the military was simply conducting educational programs for young “None of our players... go [on Twitch] and say ‘Hey I am a recruiter, people. Rep. Pete Visclosky (D-Ind.) spoke out against the amendment come join the Army.’ That’s not what we do,” Muth stated, explaining why during debate, saying, “The United States Military is a very special place... the Army chose to establish a presence on the popular website. “We have a we oughta cast a very wide net to encourage young Americans to serve shared passion for e-sports, and we [wanted to] share that passion with the their country in the military.” Newport student Joshua Xie (11) held a youth of America.” Indeed, watching recent live-streams, the atmosphere of similar position, stating that “Twitch is a pretty good platform to reach out the hours-long streams was generally quite relaxed, with little serious talk to audiences of many age groups, especially those of younger people, the involving recruitment. A typical stream consisted of a team member playing people more fit for the Army.” video games, occasionally answering game-related and military-related Despite the backlash and controversy it garnered, the USArmyEsports questions from the audience. They are friendly and informative, and though channel has decided to continue streaming and will likely not stop anytime they are much older than the typical viewer, they talk like their audience, soon. Similar ventures into online advertising are likely to come soon, using popular slang like “oof” and “it do be like that sometimes”. says Bettina Cornwell, a professor at the University of Oregon who studies Though the Army may explain its Twitch account as an innocuous way to sponsorship and sports marketing. Cornwell believes that if anything, these engage with the hard-to-reach Generation Z and educate young adults about teams are likely just the newest step into digital advertising and sponsorship alternate career paths, its platform has garnered a considerable amount for the military, citing a Navy decision last year to stop advertising on of controversy. Earlier this year, USArmyEsports stream viewers were network television and focus almost entirely on digital recruitment presented with an automated chat prompt that said they could win an Xbox practices. 6 News DECEMBER 20, 2020 How Low Can Voting Georgia's Senate Age Go? Runoffs KATHERINE CHANG GAVIN FRITZ Reporter Editor On January 5th, 2021, the fate of American politicymaking for “Age is just a number! It doesn’t define your capabilities!” Many have the next two years will be decided. The two runoffs for the two probably heard of this common phrase that emphasizes how age cannot United States Senate seats in the state of Georgia will decide whether dictate your abilities. Yet, undeniably, age is still very important in Democrats will seize control of the Senate or if Republicans will retain many situations including voting. Voting is an essential right of all U.S. control. The implications for this election cannot be understated. If the citizens and ensured by the Constitution. The constitution currently Democrats are able to gain control of the Senate, then they will have says if you are a U.S. citizen and age 18 or above on election day, you are control of both chambers of Congress and the White House, meaning able to vote in an election. they will likely be able to pass a robust set of legislation which would However, as younger generations become more politically aware, have otherwise been nearly impossible to pass without the majority in some are wondering whether the voting age limit should be lowered. both chambers of congress. If the special elections go in the favor of With the increase in social media and internet usage, it has made it the Republican party, we will be much more likely to see be political easier for gridlock in the capitol and the Democrats will have to put much of teenagers to their policy goals in their back pocket for the time being. form their The first special election is between Republican incumbent, Senator own political John Purdue and Democratic nominee Jon Ossoff. The second special opinions election is between incumbent Senator Kelly Loeffler and Reverend and engage Raphael Warnock. The Republican party only needs to retain one in politics. of the two seats up for election to maintain their majority. If the A study Democrats can flip both seats blue, the senate will be split 50-50 with conducted Kamala Harris, the Vice President, casting tie breaking votes, meaning by Joseph the Democrats will hold the tie breaking vote. The significance of this Kahne, the election is drawing huge sums of money to the state of Georgia, with Research the fate of politicymaking for the next two years resting on those two Director of elections. the Civic According to Market Watch, some political analysts are predicting Engagement over 1 billion dollars being spent on these two senate elections. Research Andrew Lindsay (9) predicts that the special election in Georgia Group at Image by Google Images. Teenagers will “cause political gridlock between the branches of the government.” Mills College, concluded that there is rally together with hopes to lower This outcome is extremely probable, given the growing tension “positive association between social media the voting age. between political parties in Washington DC. This tension and heavy use and political engagement.” partisanship has continued throughout the election campaign with Benji Blatt (12) said, “I think that once kids have gone through brutal attacks from the candidates on their opposition. Whatever the a few years of high school they have enough maturity to make an outcome is, it is clear that this election will have a massive impact educated vote.” Similar thinking led California to introduce the 2020 on varoius policy issues such as climate change, COVID-19 relief, California Proposition 18 which would allow 17 year-olds who will be statehood for Washington D.C., taxation policy, changes in the 18 by the time of the general election to vote in primary and special minimum wage, college prices, and healthcare reform. elections. According to California General Election Results, the proposition failed to pass with 56% voting “no” and 44% voting “yes.” As of 2020, 18 states allow 17 year-olds to vote in primaries, ranging from midwest states like Nebraska and New Mexico to east coast states like Maine and Virginia as reported by the National Conference of State Legislatures. No states in the Pacific northwest or west coast, in general, have succeeded in passing legislation that lowers voting age. There are many people who oppose lowering voting age for various reasons. When asked whether he agreed with lowering the voting age, Mr. Borth answered, “I say no. Since you need to be 18 years old to be a 'legal' adult..., if you don't have the responsibilities of an adult, why would you get the privileges?” Even a majority of Newport students disagree with lowering voting age, shown in the 54% of Knightlife survey respondents who believe 17 year-olds should not be able to vote. Yet ironically, 75% of respondents also said they would vote at 17 if they were able to. Amelia Chiu (10) explained, “Personally, I think that 17 is still too young to vote...but if I had been given a chance in the last election to vote, I would have because there were so many people who made a conscious effort to inform themselves by other means rather than just social media.” While lowering the voting age is still far from being implemented all Images courtesy of Google Images. Senators David across the United States there have been gradual efforts to open voting Purdue and Kelly Loefler (right) pictured with their to younger generations in the future, whether it is for the better or the opponents, Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jon worse. Ossoff (left). December 18, 2020 Feature 7 Blacknqueeratbsd: Sparking Conversations

CAROLYN HAN and Sharing Stories Editor “If the district isn’t going to hold us accountable, then we have to step up.” Some have talked about it. account’s creators also revealed that of necessary conversations–they or viewed like a sensational piece of Everyone knows it. With a follower many of their submissions were from expressed that talks about racism and gossip. On the flip side, other, more base of 1,600 students, teachers, and people wanting to bring attention to other hateful behavior are “starting commonplace experiences attract community adults, the Instagram their friends’ actions. to happen within groups of students– less of the crowd’s attention and/or account @blacknqueeratbsd has had Though the account has not faced including those who are being called concern. No matter the case, this can a notable impact on the going-ons “any obstacles from BSD or admins,” out as perpetrators or those who detract from the issue being treated of Bellevue School District staff and Blacknqueeratbsd’s increased uphold the status quo as bystanders and addressed seriously. Three–some students. This is their story–a part of platform has unfortunately attracted or those who have been screaming up people can feel like the posts are it, at the least. the attention of internet trolls. until now to finally be heard.” repetitive and simply turn off their July 2020: almost two months Some of their behavior include A look at the account’s follower phone, but for others, those stories after George Floyd, an African submitting “stories that parodied the count and plethora of comments are experiences they cannot walk American man, was pinned under a stories of black and queer students” surely illustrates this. Students and away from. This emphasizes how police officer’s knee and subsequently and spamming the account’s teachers are exchanging opinions, difficult it can be to facilitate empathy killed (information courtesy of the submission form with bots. In fact, sharing links, educating each other, and understanding when many can Associated Press). His death set off in a span of three days, the account’s and learning about other sides of just disassociate themselves from the an international wave of protests. creators had received around 30,000 the student experience–a side many discrimination faced by others. Closer to home in Bellevue, a total bot submissions. perhaps did not know about before. When asked about any final few students created the Instagram Yet despite these obstacles, the Blacknqueeratbsd has received thoughts, the creators said, “To the account Blacknqueeratbsd to share creators persisted. They set a “‘one over 400 submissions so far, but the Newport body, we no longer see stories reflecting “the culture of submission per email’” system to team does not post all of them. you as the ‘academic school.’ We racism, homophobia and hateful prevent spam. They looked out Why? Many of the submissions see you as any other school with behavior that happens within for submissions that seemed like are about people who were called these problems. To our supporters, Bellevue Schools.” parodies and were notified by their a certain slur or “‘experience[d] thank you thank you thank you but “Students of color and/or [those in followers in case they accidentally racism/colorism/homophobia/ everyone can do better and be better– the] LGBTQIA community, graduated posted “stories that are iffy.” sexism for being __.” everyone has privilege.” and current alike, have been silenced Most significantly, the team knows The account’s creators shared under the district when concerns are that there are more important things that these types of submissions were Writer’s note: For this taken up,” emphasized the account’s to focus on than the trolls who just becoming “‘boring’” or repetitive article, we only interviewed the creators. “We have to offer a space want to “delegitimize…[the] account’s for the viewers, highlighting a few Blacknqueeratbsd creators. However, where students can...hold each other credibility” and “derail the necessary things. One–the frequency that the Knightlife staff will give space in accountable in a safe manner.” The conversations in the comments.” students encounter discriminatory future editions for school officials to The account creators behavior. Two–some stories about respond to this article and share their further touched on this idea discrimination can be treated and/ thoughts.

Images courtesy of Blacknqueeratbsd. A few the stories that students in the Bellevue School District have shared. 8 Feature December 18, 2020 Students Take On Video Game Development ELIZABETH HWANG Reporter

After a long day of school, many on their own and get more creative teach video game design, thinking experience to create games, as it has Newport students love playing video with their games. She stated that one that it would be fun for kids and lots of built-in functionality, which is games to have fun and spend time thing that was fun to learn was how that especially during this time, more clicking buttons than coding. with their friends online. While many to put cheats or shortcuts in the game playing games would bring a sense The website for iDTech also offers students love to play these games and to make it easier to play. Suyama of community. Through Unity in video game design and development enjoy the exciting experience that it recommends the class offered at the programming language C#, she courses online, with in-depth lessons provides, some have looked beyond Newport to people who are interested taught around 20 students how to on Python, Scratch, and more. As for and taken interest in the coding, in coding for video games and are make 2D platformer games. She was a word of advice from Hu, she said, design, and development of video interested in the background of how excited to share that some of her “Just go for it! Follow some YouTube games. video games are created. students even published their games videos and start programming your Newport offers its own video game Another Newport student that has on Google Play (link to the games: first app. It doesn’t have to be perfect, design class, and Grace Suyama recently been invested in video game https://play.google.com/store/ but as you keep building you will see (12) recounted taking the course last design is Rachel Hu (12). After apps/developer?id=Rachel+Seattle). improvement!” year. In the class, students designed taking computer science classes at Although she stated that different types of games, learned school, Hu wanted to explore what managing class activities different ways to set the games up, she could program and entered a virtually was a struggle and learned how to code the game hackathon for fun, through which and that it was challenging for it to function properly. “It was she discovered tools like Unity, a to explain the program really fun since we’d learn new things platform used for game development. through video call, she each day and add new features to the Currently, she is interested in all considered her course as a games like gravity,” said Suyama as sorts of programming projects, positive experience. she described designing a meteoroid stating that “to [her], programming For people interested shooter game and a maze game in is a creative platform for sharing in development like this, class. services, and [she wants] to keep the course offered at Suyama also liked that the class exploring what [she] can make.” Newport is a great place was easy to understand, as at first In August, Hu taught a class on to start. Another option is Image courtesy of Rachel Hu (12). A game Hu and students followed instructions off app development at her nonprofit, Unity, a program that allows her students made. The goal is to avoid the a book and then were able to go off Mission Inspired. She decided to people with minimal coding enemies and go to the gates of each level. Streamers at Newport ERIC HAN Reporter Today, tournaments for games Seeing consistent growth throughout future! amount of streamers with less than like CS:GO and DOTA 2 are regularly the last decade, platforms like While Doran may be the first five viewers, making them essentially broadcasted on TV channels like Twitch have become mainstays in person students at Newport think of undiscoverable. Be sure to visit ESPN and TBS. Having come a long online entertainment today. Though when they hear “streamer,” another Chan’s stream, https://www.twitch. way from the early, community- originally focused exclusively on regular streamer is Brandon tv/ahrin, he tries to stream three organized tournaments that came gaming, Twitch currently has a Chan (12). Chan streams for the times a week. to define gaming in the 2000s variety of categories including “just sake of streaming, mainly playing Both Chan and Doran encourage and 2010s, esports has become chatting,” sports, cosplay, and ASMR, rhythm games like Osu!. Being all potential streamers to try the fastest-growing entertainment to accompany the wide variety of ranked roughly 63,000-ish in the streaming. “Streaming takes very industry in the world. In 2019, games that are available to watch. world, Chan is ranked within the little time to set up, and then you the League of Legends World Though the main intent of top 0.1% of Osu! players in the U.S. can broadcast whatever you want, to Championships brought in a record- streaming is to provide entertainment alone. Describing streaming as “the whoever wants to watch,” said Doran. breaking 100 million viewers, for those who watch, Newport science introvert’s dream,” Chan stated that According to Chan, “virtually all eclipsing even the Super Bowl in teacher Mr. Doran has found that streaming allows people to interact popular creators started with regular viewership. Esports has even spread streaming is a way to academically with each other “without the anxiety equipment. It’s not about gameplay, into the college sports scene, with engage with his students. Rather of having to make face-to-face it’s about you.” having collegiate esports teams suspiciously, a “‘large sample size connections.” Chan emphasized slowly becoming a standard to meet of people who struggle with school that though being incredibly good among schools across the country. play video games.” Doran encourages at a video game is a factor that However, many of the most notable his students to join his streams not attracts viewers, viewers ultimately gaming professionals today are not only so that he can connect with stay for the community that each famous because of their competitive his students, but also because he streamer creates. Unfortunately accomplishments, rather because of answers questions and reviews class for any hopeful streamers reading, their online presence as streamers. content while streaming. Streaming luck also seems to play a large A few years ago, little kids has become a pseudo-tutorial for part in who becomes successful. hopeful for a future career in gaming Doran, who sees an average of 20-ish Chan mentioned that on Twitch, had their eyes set on becoming viewers, mostly students, per stream. the streamer to viewer ratio is not Youtubers, but now it seems that the Be sure to visit his stream, https:// good, with roughly twenty viewers Image courtesy of Brandon Chan (12). Chan’s goal has shifted to include streaming. www.twitch.tv/smidgemcduff in the per streamer. The result is an endless streaming setup. December 18, 2020 Feature 9 What is Video Game Journalism? ERIC HAN Reporter Mr. Lasby may be known to most wasting your time with video games,” be friends” with the people who advanced so much in the last ten people as a fine English teacher, but are two common phrases gamers ran the podcast. The result? Lasby years, “telling a story [through video what most people may not know is hear from their guardians. now has a second job working as an games] has become easy.” There that Mr. Lasby is also an avid video Parents seem to forget that editor for zeldadungeon.net. After is no question that the video game game enthusiast and Journalist. nowadays, passion for anything, even joining zeldadungeon.net, Lasby is becoming a strong story-telling According to our most recent a passion for video games, may lead found himself falling quickly into medium. The action-adventure Knightlife survey, roughly half of to employment. For example, instead the otherwise unexplored journalism genre has been saturated with all respondents read online articles of sitting around during quarantine, industry. Only six months after critically acclaimed titles that have about video games. Online sources of Lasby used his passion for video joining the zeldadungeon.net staff, complicated and multi-dimensional video game journalism, like IGN, PC games to land a job writing articles offers from other podcasts and plots. Games like The Last of Us, Gamer Magazine, and Metacritic, for zeldadungeon.net. websites began to appear in his Undertale, and Detroit: Become are all familiar names to gamers As an Editor for zeldadungeon.net, inbox. He now writes articles for Human are key examples of how looking for general tips, help with an Lasby writes three different kinds of other websites like themighty.com the art of story-telling has evolved especially hard level, or news about articles. Short articles covering “true and also helps run a weekly podcast to include video games. Perhaps upcoming releases. When searching video game journalism,” daily posts, called Nintendo Pow Block. in the future, there will be video for these articles online, gamers may 600-word articles about some aspect When asked about his opinions game museums much like the many even come across work done by Mr. of the Zelda universe, and long- on the community video games famous art museums maintained Lasby. form editorials which may be 1500+ have created, Lasby stated that the across the world. Having grown up playing video words long. When asked about what community is far from perfect. games, Lasby began with titles like sort of qualifications are required Competitive shooter games have the 1991 release The Legend of to be a video game journalist, Lasby become especially notorious for Zelda: A Link to the Past, which responded, “Having a speciality having toxic, misogynistic, and sparked his lifelong passion for is helpful, they want passion and racist communities. “People aren’t video games. Nowadays, Lasby depth.” Lasby’s lifelong passion for good people behind a screen,” finds himself playing more modern the Legend of Zelda series is proof. Lasby commented. The issue of titles like The Legend of Zelda: When it came to writing ability, gatekeeping in the video game Breath of the Wild and Hyrule Lasby’s encouraging words were community is also a problem, Warriors: Age of Calamity...noticing to “sit down and write every day. according to Lasby, who often finds a trend? Unsurprisingly Lasby is Just keep at it and you’ll get better, himself playing Fortnite with his very passionate about The Legend nothing is stopping you from being a son. “Games are for fun, play what of Zelda series. Though finding a good writer.” you want.” passion seems to be something all So how did Lasby become an So what exactly is it about video parents want their kids to do, anyone editor for zeldadungeon.net? After games that have made them so who is even remotely interested in listening to another episode of attractive to Lasby? Lasby, an video games will know that parents zeldadungeon.net’s podcast: The English teacher, explained, “Video look down on it. “Don’t you have Champion’s cast, Lasby decided games are a good art platform” Image courtesy of Mr. Lasby. Mr. Lasby something better to do?” and “Stop that he would “very much like to and that because technology has showing off his love of video games Accomplished Gamers at Newport ELIZABETH HWANG Reporter Gaming is a hobby that is from freshman to junior year, during strategy associated with Tetris, and dungeon that usually requires three commonly known to start out as which he played for around five hours to learn those basic ones. people by himself without dying. lighthearted and grow more and a week. Shen stated that his main Another exceptional gamer at Elango, like many gamers, more addicting as players tell reason for playing games is because Newport is Eashver Elango (12), plays to have fun and to destress. themselves: just one more. As he “[enjoys] getting to a decently high who first started playing Destiny 2 He especially enjoys the creative people spend more time gaming, skill level” and that if it’s a game he in the summer of 2019 and, as of experience offered by games, as he some are able to become extremely plays a lot, “[he] just wants to see right now, has spent about 600 hours stated that the main reason he plays accomplished players from the how good [he] can get at it.” on the game. Elango holds a title Destiny is “to have the power fantasy amount of time and effort they put As Shen played, new versions of called Reckoner, which requires 60 of being an alien-slaying machine.” into learning a game. What’s even Tetris were released, many of which wins in a game mode As for players trying to more impressive is that many of incorporated different ways to play called Gambit Prime, improve at Destiny, these accomplished players are also the game. Examples include Tetris the use of a variety of or any game, Elango juggling homework and projects as Effect and Jstris or other multiplayer armor sets and abilities, said, “just don’t take students, and Newport has its fair game modes that were popularized and the completion of it too seriously and share of these players. with Tetris tournaments. He noted special objectives during enjoy playing it. The Jason Shen (12) is in the top that these newer versions are more matches. This title takes more you play, the 20 for Tetris on tetris.com with a 1.3 fun compared to classic Tetris and an immense amount of better you get.” million high score and is also ranked that with these new editions, “you time and is one of the fifth globally for Tetris Effect. Shen can do a lot more stuff than what rarest titles in the game. Image courtesy of played Tetris for the first time on a people generally think of when they As well as Reckoner, Eashver Elango (12). seventh-grade school orchestra trip play Tetris.” As for players trying Elango also received a Elango’s character on Destiny 2 and played casually once a week for to improve at Tetris, Shen said that solo flawless dungeon a few years. It became his main game there is a surprising amount of emblem for beating a 10 Feature December 18, 2020 Just ten more minutes... CAROLYN HAN Editor

Why are video games so fun? Do gives up.” Rocket League, Minecraft, nostalgia” in exploring games from they really deserve that stigma? Indeed, the drive and Wolfenstein player the past. Whether to watch the latest to improve is present Eric Lovern (11) said What about for those Mandalorian episode or to take a in many of Newport’s that “video games are a procrastinating on homework for gaming break, we, Newport students gamers. Cynthia Gao fine part of life,” but if “you some video games? (and staff), have all been there - a (10), who enjoys playing become addicted and all Take this note from Lovern: small break from our work turns into the popular games of your time is spent on “constantly indulging in pleasure like an hour long getaway. Minecraft and Among video games, you begin to gaming is not actually pleasure. It’s During the tiring months of Us, shared that “there’s suffer.” closer to torture.” quarantine (for most of us, anyway), something so satisfying So, it is valid that video many people have turned to video about when you get Image courtesy of Google games are stigmatized, Images. Yang’s avatar, games as a source of entertainment. noticeably better at a Reyna, in Valorant, a but only to an extent. But why can video games be so game.” Richard Yang popular a first person Yang reminded addicting, and how do people deal (12), an avid player of hero shooter game everyone that “video with that? Valorant, pointed out games are nothing According to psychguides.com, that gaming can help different than any other one of most significant reasons with developing “skills like being sort of entertainment,” adding video games can be so addicting a leader within a team or thinking that “while one person can find is because they are designed to be strategically.” a community and entertainment “just challenging enough to keep you It is not just the development of playing soccer, someone else can Image courtesy of Google Images. A picture of a poster for Rocket League, a vehicular coming back skills, however. When students game, find the same feelings from playing a soccer game for more but they often find themselves in a larger game.” not so hard gaming community. Gao said that Indeed, Lovern that the player gaming is “something fun [to do] expressed that eventually with my friends without having to gaming puts him meet in person.” “into a fantasy Image courtesy of Despite being an accessible source world, where… Cynthia Gao (10). Gao’s character of entertainment, video games can be [he] can be almost in Minecraft, a associated with stigma for being too anything. As well as sandbox video violent or sucking people in way too do almost anything,” game much. and that he and his Some students see the point. friends find “a lot of

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How to be sane during online ses- At its very root, what do you Thoughts on how to get the last How do you stay active, when sions? think the true meaning of the pringle out of the can? (turning sports and gyms are not open? story of Jack and Jill is? it upside-down is cheating and Mute your computer <3 cursed, please do not do that) Whenever you get the urge to exer- Be an only child. cise, lie down until that feeling floats If on the day of an Orionid meteor away. What should I get my dog for shower you slam a 12 inch pringles But honestly, a daily jog/walk around Christmas? can down with a force of 82 New- the neighborhood should do it! Or tons at angle of 1.87 radians to the you can follow along with YouTube A Christmas sweater!! (or Target has surface of a Ieucogranite marble trainers (Chloe Ting??!?!!?) those matching puffer jackets for countertop, the atmospheric pres- you and your dog!) sure should oscillate in a manner that allows the remaining pringle to fly up out of the can! #physics (Don’t do this at night. You’ll wake your neighbors) How to seduce someone?

Play some Lauv! #representNewport #hiDr.Leff ^Exercise like this baby. How hard can it be? December 18, 2020 Sports 11 Are E-Sports Actually Sports? JAIME CHEN Editor E-Sports. But what about the actual sport component? E-Sports and traditional sports may be similar in popularity and revenue generation, but the big question lies in the actual play of the sport. Many online resources like Merriam-Webster Dictionary and Wikipedia characterize a sport as a form of “physical activity,” and dictionary.com specifically defines it as “an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature.” Gamers do not need to hit the weight room or run laps around “Anytime I have the track to improve their in-game played video games abilities. Rather, they can be found sitting facing a screen (or multiple) for hours on end, Image from ViewSonic. An E-Sports tournament takes place as for several hours a day, controlling I simply have a thousands of audience members watch the projected screens of their characters with just their wrists the ongoing competition. and fingers. headache.” Adam Warfel, Sports Editor of If you were asked to list out astounding number of viewers, it is the Daily Egyptian, said, “If you of pressure. Psychologically, the a number of sports, basketball, no surprise the industry overall has have ever played a sport either same fundamentals are necessary. football, and soccer may be some fared well over recent years. Statista recreationally or competitively, Weldon Green, a sport psychological of the first that pop into mind. reports that the E-Sports worldwide your whole body is tired after you skills trainer, described to ESPN his However, just under fifty years ago, a market revenue this year is just are finished.” He contrasted that to frequent experiences with E-Sport new realm of competition emerged to over 950 million US dollars, and is his experience with video games, competitors who have little training join these physical sports. estimated to grow to nearly 1.6 billion sharing, “Anytime I have played in the pressure of competitions. E-Sports first began its entrance by 2023. video games for hours on end, I “They don’t have the mental into the mainstream in 1980 with Despite being a near billion dollar simply have a headache.” toughness built up,” he said. a Space Invaders Championship, industry, the revenue generated Even so, a dictionary definition The team component of some consisting of 10,000 individual by E-Sports has yet to match that may not be the best basis for E-Sport games parallels many competitors, according to American of traditional sports. To make a argument. It is arguable, as many aspects of traditional team sports as Esports. Since then, the world of comparison based on Statista’s competitive athletes would likely well. Green has worked with teams E-Sports has grown significantly. It reports, the NFL’s total revenue in agree, that a sport is more than to better their coordination and now encompasses a wide variety of 2019 was over 15 billion US dollars just the physical component; the relationships in order to produce video games and team competitions. and the MLB generated a little over mentality of training and competing better team chemistry in competition Like traditional, physical 10 billion. These two major sports can often have significant impacts as settings. “I confront them on how sports, E-Sports have attracted an leagues completely overshadow video well. Training your mental skill sets, they’re being too nice to their impressive, worldwide audience and game franchise (extending beyond such as focus, reflexes, and strategy, teammates or too mean to their found a successful market revenue. the E-Sports industry) EA in terms is just as important in many sports, if teammates or passive aggressive “The 2017 League of Legends of revenue, which generated about not all. instead of just aggressive or just not World Championship drew more 1.5 billion US dollars. Though there Both E-Sports and traditional focused enough on their play,” shared than 80 million viewers, making is a multi-billion dollar difference sports require that kind of brain Green. it one of the most popular eSports between these franchises, these training, much of which takes competitions ever,” reported CNN’s grand figures show that there is years of practice, often from a [continued on page 12] AJ Willingham. With just a single undoubtedly a widespread popularity young age. When performance competition bringing in such an for both traditional sports and matters, there is the same sense 12 Sports December 18, 2020

[continued from page 11] physical work,” said Rian Marshall coaches, and [are] trying to reach the (12). Amelia Chiu (10) agreed, peak of a certain game.” “Do you think saying, “I think e-sports should be Though Marcello Novak (11) “I think e-sports respected, but I don’t think they argued that E-Sports should not E-Sports are should be respected, should compete on the same terms as be considered sports, he makes an sports?” but I don’t think they physical sports.” exception, saying that “VR Yet, just as Green reasoned, many would be different.” Grace should compete on components of E-Sports are reflective Suyama (12) was one of the same terms as of similar components in traditional the respondents who did sports. Sagan Russ (12) said, not answer “Yes” or “No.” physical sports.” “[E-Sports] are highly competitive Rather, she believes that and require skill or practice. Plus, “it can depend on the video This division presents itself people love to watch and cheer for game that is played at the among the Newport student body as competition.” well. Through our recent Knightlife From the competitions survey, we asked the respondents: “Technically, it’s to what goes on behind “Do you think E-Sports are sports considered as a the scenes, E-Sports have (or equivalent to sports like football virtual sport, and many striking similarities to and basketball)?” In response, 63% traditional sports, yet they of students answered “No,” holding they have teams, are also so different and the belief that E-Sports do not fall coaches, and [are] unique. The competitive in- under the sports category, and game challenges presented 30% answered “Yes.” The other 7% trying to reach the as well as the difficulty of answered that it depends. peak of a certain high-level gaming are new Most students proceeded to game.” to our society, and E-Sports elaborate on why they held such a continue to grow in popularity belief. A common argument among across the world as more and introduced us to a fresh form Newport students was that E-Sports E-Sports just as much as regular more people choose to participate in of popular entertainment and are not physically demanding in the sports.” As an E-Sport competitor, these online gaming competitions. competition. Perhaps it is time to way traditional sports are. “Even Felix Nguyen (11) explained, With this new development, expand our definition of sports, as it though I would love to be on an “Technically, it’s considered as a not only has the world of may no longer hold the accuracy it E-Sports team, it doesn’t take any virtual sport, and they have teams, technology grown, but it has also did prior to the rise of E-Sports.

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Like most others, the nostalgia of the childhood Nintendo game brought Searle to first download this new app back in the summer of 2016. “I used to play this game when I was really young and was excited when this game first released,” said Searle. “I played near Top 500 in the on his friends to keep him going, as In terms of gameplay, collecting world for battling during Season 3,” “it enhances gameplay tremendously “Shinies,” rare Pokémon variants, is Searle said. Fellow ASB officer and as [he and his] friends can get Searle’s favorite element of Pokémon friend Benji Blatt (12) commented bonuses for playing with each other.” GO. Since Pokémon games are on Searle’s level of playing, saying, Not only is the game good for founded on the idea of collection, “Carl Searle is a beast at Pokémon playing with his friends, but it it is understandable why collecting GO.” has also brought him new online Shinies appeal to long-time players However, Searle’s long journey connections simply through a shared like Searle. to this point has not been a smooth love of the game. I asked Searle if he Following his ride. He admitted to has made any friends via Pokémon passion for these “I played near Top burning out multiple GO, to which he responded, “For extremely rare 500 in the world times over the years, sure. I’ve joined lots of online but he continues to communities for it and met a lot of Imagine excitedly running down color variants, for battling during Searle has built find his way back to people I would’ve never met through to the center of a local park, staring Season 3,” the game. “I have trading and doing other activities.” at the VR Pokémon on your phone up a collection of Shiny to come back to it, With this being said, Searle screen that dodges your Pokéballs as as it’s pretty fun and keeps getting welcomes any and all Newport peers you rush to capture it. That was four Pokémon that he claims is his biggest accomplishment. “I have some updated,” Searle explained. “Plus, it that also play to contact him through years ago for many trend-followers, keeps me active.” his Instagram DMs and to add him but to Newport’s ASB Secretary extremely rare ones,” he elaborated, “one of which is worth $250.” Though recently isolated due to in-game with his trainer code: 5762 and avid Pokémon GO player Carl COVID-19 restrictions, Searle relies 8177 4945. Searle (12), that was just this In a tie with his Shiny collection, morning. Searle believes that his other biggest accomplishment would be his recent Season 3 GO Battle League ranking from this summer. According to Niantic, the software development company behind Pokémon GO, “GO Battle League is a global matching system that lets you battle with other Trainers around the world, earn rewards, and improve your global ranking.” With each new season, ranks and ratings are reset, giving all players a chance to rise Image from Carl Searle (12). Searle walks around his up through the Images from Carl Searle (12). Screenshots of some of Searle’s favorite local area, collecting the Pokémon he finds. ranks. Pokémon in his collection.