A survey conducted on the VK Play platform gathered insights from Russian respondents about the video games that shaped their childhoods. The study reached 1,200 adults, offering a window into the early gaming experiences that left a lasting imprint on a generation. The aim was to understand not only which titles were most cherished, but also how these games influenced the way people approached leisure, competition, and storytelling during their formative years.
Results showed a clear leadership by the Grand Theft Auto franchise, which captured 25 percent of the votes. Close behind, Call of Duty attracted 16 percent, underscoring the enduring appeal of large-scale action experiences and competitive multiplayer atmospheres. In a tight race for third place, Mortal Kombat, Need for Speed, and the humorous and often meme-worthy series How Do You Get a Neighbor? each drew 14 percent, illustrating a diverse preference for fighting, street racing, and quirky, light-hearted titles that offered quick, repeatable fun.
Beyond the top tier, a wider cluster of beloved series also earned recognition. The Sims appeared with 13 percent, signaling an affinity for sandbox-style play and life simulation. Warcraft captured 12 percent, reflecting a taste for expansive fantasy epics and strategic play. The long-running favorites Heroes of Might and Magic, Cossacks, and Allods Online also secured spots on the list, highlighting a mix of strategy, historical setting, and online ecosystems that kept players engaged over many years.
The survey revealed that more than eight in ten respondents played video games during childhood and adolescence. Among those players, roughly 30 percent found it difficult to step away from their games, while about 50 percent admitted they wished they could squeeze in more time for gaming than their schedules allowed. In a striking sign of parental attitudes toward gaming, 93 percent of participants indicated they would not restrict their own children from playing video games, suggesting a generally permissive stance toward digital leisure in many households.
When asked about personal favorites from childhood, the responses varied widely, reflecting a blend of genres, platforms, and social contexts that influenced gaming habits. Some players treasured the immersive worlds of open-ended adventures, while others valued the adrenaline of fast-paced action or the camaraderie of multiplayer experiences. Across the spectrum, the reply patterns demonstrate how video games have served not just as entertainment, but as a shared cultural language that helped shape friendships, competition, and creative thinking during formative years.
Interesting cross-cultural notes emerge when comparing this Russian nostalgia to gaming trends in North America. In many households across the United States and Canada, similar titles often appear in retrospective lists, though regional preferences sometimes shift toward domestic releases, localized multiplayer communities, or mobile and console ecosystems that differ from those popular in Russia. Nonetheless, the core idea remains: childhood gaming influenced how people learned strategy, collaboration, and resilience, and it continues to color how current generations choose leisure activities, media, and even career interests.
As the discussion around video games evolves, researchers and industry observers watch how the social context of play changes with technology. The rise of online platforms, streaming, and community-driven content has expanded the ways players connect, compete, and create. Yet the essence of those early experiences—the sense of discovery, the thrill of achievement, and the social bonds formed around shared play—persists as a lasting footprint on millions of lives. [VG Times].