So what’s the appeal? The concept is simple enough. Cute but clearly grumpy birds load themselves into a slingshot, and you fling them across the screen to wipe out a bunch of green pigs who are guilty of using the birds’ eggs for a fry-up. You get points for every pig you pop, and once they’re all gone you move through to the next level. Fans say it’s hopelessly addictive.
Last year the Wall Street Journal suggested that one part of the charm of games like Angry Birds is that they’re designed to be played in short bursts. They’re easy to get into and are a great way to snatch a moment of fun in the middle of a demanding schedule. A 2008 study found these kinds of “casual games” were most often played while people were waiting for an appointment, and appeared to contribute to a measurable drop in stress levels.
The Age of Now strikes again. Through ubiquity of technology and screenery, fuelled by creativity, every minute can get a shot of fun.
