Masuk Free Press

In school classrooms, lines at the supermarket and even at stoplights, people are often seen playing the mobile game Block Blast. While initially released in 2022, Block Blast has recently been gaining popularity. Now it seems as though everyone is playing this game, and no one can bring themselves to put it down.

“On average, I spend two and a half hours on Block Blast every day,” said Block Blast player Niti Shah.

Spending a lot of time on Block Blast may not be harmful, according to Block Blast enthusiasts. 

“It helps with problem-solving, I think,” said senior Nathan Kurkoski. “It’s helpful.”

The objective of Block Blast is similar to that of Tetris, a game that was popular in the 1980s. Block Blast features brightly colored cubes, which players match together to clear from the board. When the player successfully completes this task, the game rewards them with encouraging comments such as “Great!” and “Excellent!” This encouragement motivates people to continue playing.

In addition to the positive reinforcement, Block Blast allows for visually appealing and pleasing gameplay. 

“The flashes of colors and the sound effects make it addicting,” said Kurkoski. 

The game features colorful streaks and bright flashes of light whenever blocks are cleared, acting as a visual reward for players. As if that was not enough, removing the blocks also produces a popping sound. This all enhances the sense of accomplishment a player feels, inspiring them to continue participating in pursuit of more satisfaction.

However, when does it become too much? A recent TikTok trend features people whose phones die, and then attempt to play Block Blast in real life, using their hands as the blocks. The comments on these videos feature users saying that they see blocks when they close their eyes. This phenomenon is known as the Tetris effect, and it illustrates just how addictive the game can become. Once people download this popular app, it appears to consume their everyday lives and activities, becoming a constant distraction. 

“I’m always thinking about it,” said senior Jeremy Gniadek, whose high score is featured below.

Block Blast users are aware that the game was designed to be addictive. 

“I think they know that putting your high score there, and then with other friends having it, you’re gonna want to beat it.  It was definitely built to be an addicting game,” Shah explained. “I think there’s a motivation factor that makes you want to keep beating your high score. So then you just stay on the app to keep trying to get a higher score, and then when you fail, you keep trying for hours and hours.”

One of the most significant contributing factors to Block Blast’s success is the social element of the game. 

“I put a lot of my friends onto it, and then they became addicted,” admitted Shah. 

While recommending a game to friends may give them a new hyperfixation, it also gives them a new community. Block Blast players feel a sense of familiarity and belonging after seeing that their friends play the same game, along with the friendly competition as they attempt to beat their friends’ high scores. In addition, some may notice their friends playing the game, and will download it to avoid feeling left out. As more and more users recommend the game to their friends, the community expands, and the social influence strengthens. This cycle continues as time goes on, with people constantly playing in order to outperform their friends.

This motivation characteristic isn’t the only element that makes the game addicting. 

“It’s super simple,” said Gniadek. “It’s a straightforward game; no skill, no logic, you just put blocks down.” 

This is part of what fans of Block Blast love about it. The game is simple and can be played for hours on end to pass the time without requiring players’ undivided attention. This makes it easy for individuals of all ages to pick up the app and start playing.

Whether it be the easy accessibility, bright colors, or the feeling of satisfaction after clearing the board, it is undeniable that Block Blast has taken over the lives of Masuk students and teachers. It has become a way for them to unwind after a stressful day, allowing players an escape from the pressures of their outside world. Throughout the school community, people are finding the game to be a crucial part of their daily routine, consuming their schedules and replacing productive activities. Block Blast seems to be the Masuk community’s new favorite distraction.