A game for half an hour
Which formats suit a short break, a commute or a late evening, and why it matters that you can put the game down at any moment.
a magazine about video games in everyday life
Video games that fit into your life
There are twenty-four hours in a day, and there is room for a game in them — as long as you know which one to pick and when to stop. 24Igra explains how to match a game to your free time and mood, how to have a fun evening with friends or family, what age-rating labels mean, and how to play without regretting a sleepless night the next morning.
A good game does not steal time from your life — it takes its own place in it, like a book before bed or a weekend walk.
Where to start
Together with friends
How to host a game night for a group: pick a format, get the controls ready and make sure newcomers have fun too.
Games and children
Age ratings, family profiles, limits on purchases and chat — and, above all, games that are a pleasure to play together with your child.
Play and still sleep well
Breaks, lighting in the room, a comfortable posture and the habit of ending a session on time — without strict bans or needless moralising.
Magazine sections
- Games
A catalogue of formats and genres: half-hour games, episodic stories, co-op, cosy games and games for the whole family.
- Guides
Guides for life alongside games: an evening with friends, playing with a child, coming back after a break. Plus our article catalogue.
- Mechanics
Saves, difficulty, in-game purchases, loot boxes, daily quests and online chat, explained in plain words.
- Updates
Seasons, patches and new modes: what kinds of changes games receive and how to tell whether they affect you.
- Reviews
What to look at to judge whether a game will fit your routine, and how to read other people's reviews.
- Questions
Answers to questions about the magazine, gaming time, habits, children and family settings.
- Glossary
A player's dictionary: genres and formats, game mechanics, online play and chat.
How to choose a game for the evening in five steps
Estimate how much time you have
Be honest about how many minutes or hours you have before bed or your next task. That decides the format: a single match, one chapter or a long evening in a big world.
Decide whether you are playing alone or together
If friends or family are around, look for games with co-op or local play on one screen. If the evening is all yours, a calm single-player story will do nicely.
Listen to your mood
After a hard day you often want a slow, cosy game rather than a tense competition. An energetic evening, on the other hand, calls for pace and laughter.
Check the age rating
If children or guests of different ages are playing, check the label on the game's page. It tells you how suitable the content is for everyone in the room.
Check whether you can save at any time
Find out whether the game has free saving or only checkpoints. Being able to stop without losing progress spares you the temptation of "just one more try" at two in the morning.
The essentials in brief
Do you recommend specific games?
No. We do not name games or compile lists. Instead, we explain the criteria: session length, saves, company and age ratings. With those, you can choose what suits you yourself.
Do you sell games?
No. We do not sell games, subscriptions, keys or accounts, and we receive no payment from developers or shops for mentions.
Do you write about gambling?
No. The magazine is devoted solely to video games as a hobby and a family pastime. We do not cover or advertise gambling.
Do you help with parental controls?
We explain the general principles: what kinds of limits usually exist, how to agree on them with your child and why settings are best discussed together. For exact steps, see your device manufacturer's guide.
About the project
24Igra is an independent magazine about video games as part of everyday life. We are not interested in which game is "the best", but in how games fit alongside work, study, rest, family and sleep.
We write in plain language for adult players, parents and anyone who wants to bring games back into their routine without feeling guilty. We do not give scores, publish prices or offer medical advice.
This domain was previously used for unrelated advertising. The current magazine has no connection with it and nothing to do with the former content at this address.
Read next
- Games
A catalogue of formats and genres: half-hour games, episodic stories, co-op, cosy games and games for the whole family.
- Guides
Guides for life alongside games: an evening with friends, playing with a child, coming back after a break. Plus our article catalogue.
- Mechanics
Saves, difficulty, in-game purchases, loot boxes, daily quests and online chat, explained in plain words.
- Questions
Answers to questions about the magazine, gaming time, habits, children and family settings.
What we rely on
- Federal Law No. 436-FZ (Russia)
- PEGI — about the system
- ESRB — about the system
- Manufacturers' family-settings guides
We write about general principles and habits. Menus, modes and family settings work differently in each game and service and change with updates, so check the details in the official help pages.