Keyboard Warriors Trumps Life.
Forget Xbox or Monopoly. “Keyboard Warriors” is the latest game that has teenagers hooked.
Played on the computer or smartphone, with no rules and no participants over the age of 18, the game is simple enough. Keyboard Warriors is a social networking platform, providing users with an interface that allows for controversial questions to be asked and answered anonymously.
Topping the “Inspirational gaming charts" this year saw the virtual toy achieve what no other has – defeat the “game of Life”. Board game enthusiasts were stunned to hear of the feat but as Fran, creator of Keyboard Warriors explains, with Life’s 2 page manual and frequent adult participation, it is no wonder Life just got “old”.
Asked why kids were disposing of Life in favour of Keyboard Warriors, 14 year old Jasmine said “If you lose at Life, everyone knows and it sucks but with Keyboard Warriors losing isn’t an issue because you’re playing anonymously”.
Many others admired the game’s anonymity but also highlighted the sense of freedom it instilled. By allowing users to communicate with impunity, Keyboard Warriors encourages users to express how they really feel; terms of endearment such as as “you bitch” and “ugly skank" are frequently exchanged. "The New Zealand Bill of Rights Act provides to everyone, the right to freedom of expression, so it is great to see kids finally feeling empowered to express themselves" Fran said.
Parents say they are not really sure how Keyboard Warriors works but are commending the game’s ability to tackle big issues like “how many boys Casey has slept with” and “tits or arse?”. June, mother of two, is glad to see her daughter Jenny much more confident after being voted “da hottest sluzza in the skewl” in a tough round of the game’s “honesty hour” last night.
Others however, are not so full of praise. Coffee shop owners, for example, are appealing to the government for subsidies as Keyboard Warriors continues to quash demand for face-to-face contact. When presented with these concerns John Key said that although he could sympathise, the rising need for school guidance counselors following the game’s popularity meant funding would likely be prioritised there first. “I personally prefer the game of life myself but what do I know” he added dryly.
Forget Xbox or Monopoly. “Keyboard Warriors” is the latest game that has teenagers hooked.
Played on the computer or smartphone, with no rules and no participants over the age of 18, the game is simple enough. Keyboard Warriors is a social networking platform, providing users with an interface that allows for controversial questions to be asked and answered anonymously.
Topping the “Inspirational gaming charts" this year saw the virtual toy achieve what no other has – defeat the “game of Life”. Board game enthusiasts were stunned to hear of the feat but as Fran, creator of Keyboard Warriors explains, with Life’s 2 page manual and frequent adult participation, it is no wonder Life just got “old”.
Asked why kids were disposing of Life in favour of Keyboard Warriors, 14 year old Jasmine said “If you lose at Life, everyone knows and it sucks but with Keyboard Warriors losing isn’t an issue because you’re playing anonymously”.
Many others admired the game’s anonymity but also highlighted the sense of freedom it instilled. By allowing users to communicate with impunity, Keyboard Warriors encourages users to express how they really feel; terms of endearment such as as “you bitch” and “ugly skank" are frequently exchanged. "The New Zealand Bill of Rights Act provides to everyone, the right to freedom of expression, so it is great to see kids finally feeling empowered to express themselves" Fran said.
Parents say they are not really sure how Keyboard Warriors works but are commending the game’s ability to tackle big issues like “how many boys Casey has slept with” and “tits or arse?”. June, mother of two, is glad to see her daughter Jenny much more confident after being voted “da hottest sluzza in the skewl” in a tough round of the game’s “honesty hour” last night.
Others however, are not so full of praise. Coffee shop owners, for example, are appealing to the government for subsidies as Keyboard Warriors continues to quash demand for face-to-face contact. When presented with these concerns John Key said that although he could sympathise, the rising need for school guidance counselors following the game’s popularity meant funding would likely be prioritised there first. “I personally prefer the game of life myself but what do I know” he added dryly.
