-
Birth
-
Carrom Board
I first saw my family playing carrom in Pakistan, using a large traditional board. I would join in sometimes. Watching them play made me feel included, and it became a cherished early memory of togetherness. Unknown, c. 18th Century. Carrom. Board game Azad, I, 2019, Carrom board during a game, The Bridge, viewed 5 Apr 2025, https://thebridge.in/featured/only-passion-keeps-carrom-going-in-india/ -
UNO
We didn’t have much access to the internet, so we’d often play Uno when cousins came over. It was a staple in our home and created so many happy memories with family. Robbins, M., 1971. UNO. Card game, Mattel. Coopee, T. 2023, Older Version of UNO, Richard Gottlieb's Global Toys News, viewed 5 Apr 2025, https://globaltoynews.com/2023/01/09/from-barbershop-to-international-games-then-mattel-the-evolution-of-uno/ -
Feeding Frenzy 1 & 2
When we first moved to Australia, my dad downloaded games like Feeding Frenzy on our PC. My brother, cousins, and I would play for hours, it was our escape and a way we bonded during a tough time. Sprout Games, 2004. Feeding Frenzy. PC game, PopCap Games. Xbox LIVE Arcade, N/A, Feeding Frenzy 2 Cover, Microsoft Store, Viewed 5 Apr 2025, https://www.xbox.com/en-AU/games/store/feeding-frenzy-2/BQ192SFB694X -
Monkey Lander
This was one of the first online games I discovered through Miniclip. I mostly watched my brother play, but it stuck with me because it reminded me of my cousins back in Pakistan. Mad.com Games, c.2003. Monkey Lander. Browser game, Miniclip. Showrunner.com, 2023, Monkey Lander with Miniclip Cover, viewed 5 Apr 2025, https://www.speedrun.com/Monkey_Lander/news -
Chaos Faction 2
I found this game on a random game site. I loved the different characters, their powers, and the variety of maps. It was one of the first action games I really got into. Dissolute Productions, 2008. Chaos Faction 2. Browser game, Self-published. DarkUnknownWarrior, N/A, Chaos Factions 2 Cover, Wikigrounds the free Newgrounds encyclopedia, viewed 5 Apr 2025, https://newgrounds.fandom.com/wiki/Chaos_Faction_2 -
Papa’s Pizzeria (and series)
I played the Papa's games alone on the family computer. They were soothing and sparked my love for cooking and baking games. Flipline Studios, 2007–2024. Papa's Games Series. Browser games, Flipline Studios. Flipline Studios, 2018. Flipline Studios Games papa restauraunt series - Flash Game Series. Viewed 5 Apr 2025, https://archive.org/details/flipline-studios-papa-resturaunt-games-flash-game-series./flipline%20studio%20developed%2C%20food%20related%20games.JPG -
Angry Birds
I played it on my mum’s old phone, usually taking turns with my brother. I ended up playing nearly every version. It was simple but so addictive. Rovio Entertainment, 2009. Angry Birds. Mobile game, Rovio. Rovio Entertainment, 2018. Angry Birds promo art.png, Wikipedia, Viewed 5 Apr 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Angry_Birds_promo_art.png -
Clash of Clans
This was probably my longest-running mobile game. I built a little friend group on there, my first experience with online friendships. Supercell, 2012. Clash of Clans. Mobile game, Supercell. OA0V, N/A, App Icon, Logopedia, Viewed 5 Apr 2025, https://logos.fandom.com/wiki/Clash_of_Clans -
Minecraft Pocket Edition
We got iPads at my new school, and Minecraft (paid version!) was one of the first games I played with friends. I also had the lite version on my tablet at home. It sparked my love for open-world games and creativity. Mojang Studios, 2011. Minecraft. Mobile game, Mojang. Mojang, 2011. Minecraft Pocket Edition Cover, IGN, viewed 5 Apr 2025, https://www.ign.com/games/minecraft-pocket-edition/walkthroughs -
Subway Surfers
Me and my childhood best friend bonded over this one on our school iPads. It was fun, fast-paced, and oddly calming to play in between classes. Kiloo SYBO Games, 2012. Subway Surfers. Mobile game, Kiloo. Sybo, N/A, Subway Surfers Cover, Poki, Viewed 5 Apr 2025, https://poki.com/en/g/subway-surfers -
Winx Club Dress Me Up
I was obsessed with Winx Club, and this game was everything. It kickstarted my passion for fashion and costume design in games and storytelling. Rainbow S.p.A, c.2010. Winx Club: Dress Me Up. Browser game, Flash platform. NTA65bz, N/A, Cover Photo, Winx Club Wiki, Viewed 5 Apr 2025, https://winx.fandom.com/wiki/Dress_Me_Up! -
Habbo Hotel
I got this on my dad’s old Hisense tablet. I loved the roleplaying aspect. It made me realise how much I love games where you create your own stories and interact with others. Sulake, 2000. Habbo Hotel. Mobile game, Sulake. SulakeGames, 2020. Habbo - Original Metaverse, Google Playstore, Viewed 5 Apr 2025, https://play.google.com/store/apps/details/Habbo_Original_Metaverse?id=com.sulake.habbo&hl=en_ZA&pli=1 -
Temple Run
Everyone was obsessed with it at the time. I loved the thrill and speed. It was one of the first endless runner games I really got into. Imangi Studios, 2011. Temple Run. Mobile game, Imangi Studios. Imangi Studios, N/A, Temple Run Cover, Google Playstore, Viewed 5 Apr 2025, https://play.google.com/store/apps/details/Temple_Run?id=com.imangi.templerun&hl=en_AU -
Snapimals
I played this on my dad’s phone. It was such a relaxing game, taking photos of animals in-game helped me appreciate art and nature in a peaceful way. BebopBee, 2015. Snapimals. Mobile game, BebopBee. BebopBee Inc., 2015, Snapimals Cover Photo, Amazon.com, Viewed 5 Apr 2025, https://www.amazon.com.au/BebopBee-Inc-Snapimals-Discover-Animals/dp/B018RGDMI0 -
Tiny Tanks
I played this on multiplayer.gg before Flash Player ended. I made real online friends through it, and it was my second experience with online communities. I loved the element of designing your own maps that other players could play and rate. Unknown, c.2014. Tiny Tanks. Browser multiplayer game, Multiplayer.gg. Bladene, N/A, Tiny Tanks Loading Screen, Bladene Wiki, Viewed 5 Apr 2025, https://bladene.fandom.com/wiki/Tiny_Tanks -
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Special Edition
My uncle got us an Xbox One S, and it came with Skyrim. It’s still my favourite game of all time. I’d sneak downstairs, close the blinds, turn on the aircon, and get lost in the fantasy world for hours. It made me fall in love with the fantasy genre even more. Bethesda Game Studios, 2011. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Console/PC game, Bethesda. CeX, N/A, Xbox One CD Cover, CeX, Viewed 5 Apr 2025, https://au.webuy.com/product-detail?id=5055856411598 -
Pixel Gun 3D - FPS Shooter
When Minecraft got removed from our school iPads, I found Pixel Gun 3D as a replacement. It ended up being one of the best multiplayer experiences I’ve had on mobile. Lightmap, 2013. Pixel Gun 3D. Mobile game, Cubic Games. Pixel Gun 3D, N/A, Pixel Gun 3D FPS Shooter Cover photo, Google Playstore, Viewed 5 Apr 2025, https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pixel.gun3d -
Fortnite: Battle Royale
This was the game I played the most consistently. I bonded with school friends and family friends through it. It felt like a second social media platform and made multiplayer gaming so much fun. Epic Games, 2017. Fortnite. Console/PC game, Epic Games. Wikipedia, N/A, Fortnite BR cover, Wikipedia, Viewed 5 Apr 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortnite_Battle_Royale#/media/File:Fortnite_BR_cover.jpg -
Star Wars Battlefront II
My dad's love for Star Wars inspired me, and I played this game around the time the new movies and shows came out. It made me feel more connected to the franchise. DICE, 2017. Star Wars Battlefront II. Console/PC game, Electronic Arts. Amazon, N/A, Xbox One CD Cover, Amazon, Viewed 5 Apr 2025, https://www.amazon.com.au/Electronic-Arts-Star-Wars-Battlefront/dp/B01GVMZ8DY?th=1 -
PUBG Mobile
This was special because my two childhood best friends aren’t into games, but we all played PUBG together. It became a bonding experience we rarely got elsewhere. PUBG Corporation, 2018. PUBG Mobile. Mobile game, Tencent Games. Iamrajdeepdas, 2021. Players Battlegrounds Mobile, Wikipedia, Viewed 5 Apr 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PlayerUnknown%27s_Battlegrounds_Mobile.webp -
Batman: Arkham Knight
I’ve always been a DC fan, and Arkham Knight was an incredible game. The Professor Pyg side quest especially stuck with me, it was genuinely creepy. It deepened my appreciation for Batman’s world. Rocksteady Studios, 2015. Batman: Arkham Knight. Console/PC game, Warner Bros. Interactive. -
Resident Evil 3
I finally got into Resident Evil thanks to social media. Jill and Carlos were my intro to the franchise, and I loved the story and character dynamics. It was both exciting and emotionally intense. Capcom, 2020. Resident Evil 3. Console/PC game, Capcom. Playstation, N/A, Resident Evil 3 online cover, Playstatin, Viewed 5 Apr 2025, https://www.playstation.com/en-au/games/resident-evil-3/ -
Resident Evil 2
I started this one after finishing RE3, but my Xbox Game Pass ran out before I could complete it. Still, it’s the most recent game I played, and I’m excited to finish it soon. Capcom, 2019. Resident Evil 2. Console/PC game, Capcom. Amazon, N/A, Resident Evil 2 Xbox CD Cover, Amazon.com, viewed 5 Apr 2025, https://www.amazon.com.au/Resident-Evil-2-Xbox-One/dp/B07DJRFSL1?th=1
