Pixel Gun 3D is a mobile game that came out in 2013, and a game that I played with my friends in middle school. Recently this past quarter, my friends and I started playing again, and to our surprise, there was still a dedicated player base and community around this game. There are a few reasons why this game has stayed alive for over 10 years, all relating to the mechanics, dynamics, and aesthetics of the mobile game.
Firstly, the game is a shooter with an assortment of guns you can buy and unlock, lootboxes you can open, and tons of events and game modes you can play through. The game is also multiplayer, with a mechanic to add friends, play with friends, and even join clans with your friends. These two mechanics evoke a sense of fellowship as you play different co-op modes with friends, competition when you’re playing with and against your friends (or against pay-to-wins), and exploration as you unlock guns and open lootboxes.
The game is also regularly updated with new events, game modes, and critical bug and balance hotfixes. This builds a dedicated community of players, as well as keeps the game relevant among more trendier game genres by introducing game modes such as battle royale.
For me and my friends, the main reason why this game is fun is the nostalgia of playing this game back in middle school, as well as the fellowship and competition we feel while playing with or against each other. I remember playing this game back in middle school, and playing the game now brings a familiar sense of fun that I felt all those years ago. Pixel Gun 3D is a great example of a game that stands the tests of time, through its mechanics, dynamics, and aesthetics that provide feelings of nostalgia, fellowship, and competition.
