The House “Games” of Horror
Story by Ian Lee, Jeremy Nam, and Brian EJ Lee
Edited by Jacqueline Cho
Design by Helaine Lee
Edited by Jacqueline Cho
Design by Helaine Lee
When the house games were first introduced, it had a fundamental basis that fit the criteria for everyone. There was one section for sports, which would fit people who were more athletic, and one section of brain games which was an activity that required people to work together to solve riddles, puzzles, etc. In other words, it always came down to teamwork, and more than the actual contest, it was to learn something. It was never to see which house team contained the best players.
If we look at the current state of the house games, there seem to be many flaws within the program. The original purpose of the house games were to provide a fun recess activity for students, and in order to increase the spirit of teamwork. However, these days, house games have just become a competition to see who is the best. The logic behind this phenomenon is very simple. If you’re good you play. If you’re not you don’t. According to Mr. Munro, the head of house games, mind games have been taken away as an option now, simply because of the “lack of teacher supervision on how the amount of students coming, could not be watched by just a single teacher.” This could explain why there are a lack of options, but regardless, there are still a lot of problems. The email that described the house games, are a perfect example. It tells people to bring their house team t-shirts and that - “the purpose of these games are not to see who have the best players.” This statement by Mr. Munro himself shows what the true meaning of house games should be. But from teamwork and fun, the games have shifted to pure victory. As participant Nick Shin says - “people are forced to play because there aren’t enough people” - in other words, people are so competitive that they don’t play not to mess up. Players will even give up if they feel that victory is impossible. The continuation of this kind of attitude in viewing house games as a hypercompetitive activity instead of an entertaining exercise in teamwork is against the purpose and intention of the house games. The fundamental mindset that brought house games to the middle school student body, that of a break from studying to relax and enjoy, must not become an infuriating and overly competitive activity. |
Many players and viewers often express detachment and disinterest to the activity at hand. (Photograph by Brian Lee)
Dissatisfied players return to their positions while complaining about the decision of the referee, Mr. Iga. (Photograph by Brian Lee)
The teams are starting to argue about a foul. The concern for winning the game often takes precedence over the well-being of the players. (Photograph by Brian Lee)
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