At the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science there are two types of people: those who play games and those who do not. For MSMS video and analogue gamers, there is a constant life or death battle to unlock new levels or reach the elusive 1000-hour mark.

As an avid video gamer with a passion for all Monster Hunter content, I understand the strife and struggle that people like Allen Lin, Sara Conwell, and Jesse Pugsley face when something stands in the way of their gaming goals.

Senior Allen Lin is a Call of Duty and Clash Royale player. “Call of Duty [is something] I play over the summer when I have free time. [In] Clash Royale I usually get on for approximately 15 minutes a day. My personal gaming goal [is] to do well in the games that I play.”

Lin enjoys playing Massively-Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG) or more commonly known as Massively-Multiplayer Online (MMO). I also prefer this type of game playing.

In contrast to MMO gamer Lin, Sara Conwell prefers to play life simulation games. One of the most popular simulation games in the world today is Sims which has sold of 170 million copies.

Senior Conwell said, “I play the Sims, mainly the Sims 4 and the Sims 3. I don’t get the opportunity to play much while I’m at school, but, during my breaks, I usually play three times a week [and over time]  I’m glad to say that each one of my Sims has become a billionaire.”

Conwell’s personal gaming goal is to “become better at first person shooter games and also get more into games like The Division and COD.”

Senior Jesse Pugsley is also a fellow gamer. “I play Skyrim and Japanese pop icon games.”

Despite the different types of gaming platforms — iOS, Xbox 360, Playstation or Android or even the type of gamer — we all share one thing in common: the will to win and be the best at what we love.