Video Game Club Offers a Place to Socialize, Destress, and Smash Buttons
Our reporter takes on another club member in a game of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Photo: Erica Kong
By DARON SAMDANI
“YES!” he shouted, victoriously jumping out of his chair. The crowd cheered as the word “GAME!” flashed along the screen and the other player hung his head in defeat. “Rematch!” cried someone from the audience, and so another round began. Exhilarating as it may sound, this is a normal occurrence in Midwood's Video Game Club (VGC).
“Unlike many other clubs, we basically just let our members do their own thing, to an extent,” said Daniel Shi, the club’s vice president.
The VGC is “less like a club with a goal and more like a meetup of friends every Friday,” said Shi. Between rooms 1N and 2N, multiple consoles are set up, including a Nintendo Switch, an Xbox One, and a Playstation 4.
Along with these consoles, board games are spread about. Some members play Uno while others have intense matches of Connect 4. Students are in complete control over what they do; they’re also the ones providing the equipment for the club.
“Those consoles weren't bought with Midwood money, they were bought with my money,” said Saveliy Markan, secretary of the VGC. “I'm the person who brings them into the school for the club to use.”
Members are encouraged to bring their own games and controllers, as the more they have, the better. With their continuous support, the VGC is able to meet every week fully loaded.
“Whether it’s playing video games, tabletop games, or even just socializing and doing homework, we try to offer a fun experience for club members,” said Shi. “We have a fair balance between casualness and competition. We have people who can be loud and cheery and people who are tranquil and mellow; anyone can have fun. After all, we are some form of a relaxation club.”
“Through the club, I found people who I became friends with, including the former president,” said senior Erica Kong, the current president. “We'd just chill, play, and talk with each other. That's what this club really was and still is for me: a spot where people can socialize and relax at the end of the day, and the school gives them credits for it.”
“Everyone in the club is so friendly and welcoming,” said junior Sabrina Yuen, a first-time member. “I feel like I’m a part of the club even though I’m new.”
Matthew Deng ‘25 said that the club has “somewhat changed my life. I wanted to join a club to have fun and chill. It exceeded my expectations. I get to talk to more people, and I feel much happier.”
“It’s good,” said Mr. Jordan Finn, the club’s advisor. “Sometimes it gets a little rowdy, but it's all in fun. I like it; it's nice to meet people from other classes and see everyone enjoy themselves.”
“It’s loud, but it’s very fun,” said Seth Shaheed-Myrthil ‘24. “You will make a lot of friends here. Everybody is friendly. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had.”
“I heard that there was a gaming club in the school, came in one day, and, as cheesy as it may sound, the rest was history,” said Markan.
“We have people always coming in, playing games on their own in their little circles, enjoying themselves and cooling off after a week of stressful school work and all that,” Li said. “Everyone is welcome, genuinely. Everyone almost always gets a turn in playing games that they want to, and plus, it's a great way to make friends.”
“Sure it may seem a bit chaotic, people screaming and talking trash to each other,” he added, “but I haven't seen people interacting with so many different people before, playing games, having fun. If someone like me, with as bizarre tastes as I have, is able to enjoy themselves in the club, I'm almost certain that anyone with any interest in gaming will enjoy the club just as much. So come on in, there's nothing stopping you.”