Games, Games, Games

By: Ellie McGowan

While on campus, playing games has become a great way to pass the time. Ranging from games that are interactive and require athleticism, to games that involve skill and knowledge, there are a wide variety of games that scholars participate in.

Zork

Zork is an online computer game that became popular through Tim Phelps’s general studies class. However, Zork is not your average web-based game. Zork has no visuals, no graphics, and can be played on either a blue or black screen. The game is one of the earliest interactive fiction computer games, and operates on a text based system. In order to play, you must take into consideration where you are in the game, where you have been, and what you want to accomplish. No instructions come with the game, so you must figure things out as you go. If the computer doesn’t understand or respond to the comment you gave it, then try rewording your statements. For example, the game will not understand the command “go upstairs”, so you must type “go up” instead. Most importantly, do not get eaten by a grue. Simply. Do. Not.

Spikeball

Spikeball is an athletic sensation that has caught the attention of a wide variety of scholars. To play Spikeball, you only need a partner, however, to be good at Spikeball, you must stay on your toes and practice. To begin the game, a player serves down on the net so the person on the opposing team receives the ball. The returning team then has a maximum of three hits for the ball to be spiked back down onto the net. This rally continues until the team cannot place the ball back on the net, without hitting the rim, within their three touches.

Hantis

Have you ever walked through Frazier and saw sets of four tables set up with a slight gap in between them? Yep. That would be the playing field for a game of Hantis. As long as you have at least four people, anyone can play, but be aware of how long you may be required to wait in line. Ironically, the game of Hantis originated at Scott County High School in 2005, when students started playing around with four tables and a tennis ball in the Media Arts Center. Hantis is used for both recreational and tournament play. Players enter at the first table, with the last table being the serving table. The player at the last table serves to the person at either the first or second table, and then the game goes into full swing, literally. Each player is allowed to hit the ball twice, and hitting the table only once. Cupping, carrying or grabbing the ball is not allowed. In addition to this, if you use two hands to strike or slap the ball, it counts as two hits. The round ends when the rally falls, then the faulty player steps out of their position in the game and returns to the end of the line, waiting to rotate through again. Hantis is a game full of smart moves and easy mistakes. You may not be the best at it in the beginning (trust me, I was not) but with practice, you will improve. Also, if you are easily angered, this may not be the game for you…

Volleyball

Volleyball is a classic game that involves two teams, in which a large ball is hit by hand over a high net, with the aim being to score points by making the ball reach the ground on the opponent’s side of the court. Volleyball is played both at the SuRF and at the sand courts behind Siena Quarto. This game can get intense. This game can get much more competitive than it should. Please, play with caution. Read the Bellarmine Beacon to stay updated on when Volleyball Club will meet, or take your skills out to the courts during your free time!