In current events, I saw that NBC had an article that the suspect in the UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting played “Among Us”. A very click-baity article as the media was trying to drive more eyeballs. It’s definitely not an “assassins” game as they called it. It’s a massively popular game and we break it down in Screen Studies this week.

The holidays are right around the corner - we’ll give you some tips on getting those games and systems ready for you kids later.

Also - a crazy survey of Gen Z shows they may be on their phones more than you are at your desk each week (the link is in ICYMI).

• FTC starts issuing more than $72M in Fortnite refunds

  • Did you have an unwanted purchases or did your child rack up unauthorized charges without their parents’ permission? Or did Fortnite block you after you disputed wrongful charges? You could be eligible if these things happened between 2017-2022. You have until January 10, 2025 to file a claim.

• LEGO Takes Aim at Roblox - In a role reversal, LEGO copies Roblox and creates a social roleplay experience in the LEGO Fortnite world. Take on a variety of jobs and build your own stories by interacting with both the environment and your fellow residents.

  

• Agency dcdx released their 4th annual Gen Z Screen Time Report which has respondents opt in to having their phone time tracked. Daily average screen time rose 15 minutes YOY to 7:22:43, weekly this equates to 51:46:30 - literally a full time job and then some. On average they will spend 112 DAYS on their phone in 2024. This is up 12 days from 2023!!! 🤯 

• Seattle Children’s Hospital using Video Games to help patients

  • A feel good story around the holidays as my local children’s hospital has been using video games to help children as a distraction and a way to connect and play when they can’t leave the hospital They have over a million dollars of video game equipment for the kids and even therapeutic video games and technology for patient care.

• Gamer Parents are the Future?

  • We’ve been touting this a lot so I’m not surprised but research shows 75% of parents say they play video games (computer games, video games, or mobile games) with their kids regularly (“every day” or “every week”).

TIPS TO AVOID THE CHRISTMAS MORNING HEADACHES

While I can’t save you from your kids waking you up at 5am on Christmas morning (I’ve been there, it’s a drag 😪) - I can help you make sure your video games are ready to go for your kids in the morning. Unlike the 80s and 90s, you can’t just plug things in and start playing immediately so let’s breakdown the need for waiting for updates and downloads after the presents have been unwrapped.

Charge Them Up (or Get Batteries)

For any accessories (like controllers or headsets) make sure you’ve got either the right batteries or that you’ve charged them up ahead of time, if possible! A lot of wireless items come partially charged but you never know. Get a USB hub and charge them up to 100% 🔋 for a full day of gaming.

Set Up Consoles and Download Updates

If you are buying a new console this year, it may help to take it out of the box (carefully, so you can put it back in if you choose) and plug it in, connect it to the internet, and set it up ahead of time. Console software is updated regularly and so while this shouldn’t take too long, it’s always a process that will take some time. Doing it ahead of time also gives you a chance to make your account the main one on the console and set parental controls ahead of time. A lot of games also require updates after being installed or played for the first time. If you can be sneaky 🦊 try to get it done on Christmas Eve so your kid will be none-the-wiser. Otherwise, you could find yourself waiting ⏱️ to download 10s of GBs of data.

Among Us

An online, multiplayer social deduction game where players are divided into two roles: Crewmates and Impostors. Crewmates are tasked with completing various jobs or tasks on a map, such as maintaining a spaceship, while Impostors, who are aliens disguising themselves as Crewmates, sabotage the environment and kill the real Crewmates. When a body is discovered, players can report it and initiate an emergency meeting to discuss and vote on who they think is an Impostor. The game is won by the Crewmates when all Impostor(s) are ejected or if the crewmates can finish all of their tasks. The game is won by the Impostor(s) when the number of Impostors equals the number of Crewmates before all tasks are completed or by enacting a critical Sabotage that is not resolved in time.

The Basics:

Released: First released in 2018

Platforms: PS4 / PS5 / Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S / PC / Nintendo Switch / Mobile

Pricing: $4.99, but Free-to-play on mobile with in-app purchases

1. Task List & Meter - See the different tasks on the ship and completing them fills the meter. Get it to full and win as a Crewmate

2. Map - Open the map to see the locations, where you are, and what rooms have tasks to complete

3. Crewmates and Impostors -  These funny looking space folks are either Crewmates or Impostors - it’s up to you and your friends to figure out who the Impostor(s) are before they take you out!

4. Report - As a Crewmate (or Impostor if you are really sly) - when you see a dead body or something ‘sus’ it’s time to Report it! This pauses the game and calls an emergency meeting where you can discuss what happened and who the Impostor is that needs to be exiled. But pick wisely!

5. Use - When you need to complete a task or use an area in the game, press this button. Impostors also have the use button, but they also have abilities like Kill (allowing them to kill Crewmates), Sabotage (breaking things on the map), or Vent (allowing them to hide in vents)

chat: (noun) - a term taken from streaming culture to reference a group of people, usually friends

Synonyms: everyone, y’all, you guys

“Chat, what should we watch?”

Hope everyone has been good this year and you get what you want for the holidays! Enjoy the time with family and friends!

GLHF,

Chris

What I’m Playing: Balatro