Well, first of all, the kids could be in big trouble with the law. Arson is a serious crime, and if they are old enough to be held responsible, they'll likely have to go to court. The old man has every right to seek compensation for his lost home. He might need to find a new place to live, and all the costs associated with that could be the kids' responsibility if the court rules in his favor. Also, the kids' families may have to pay for the damages as well, which could be a huge financial burden.
The kids will likely have to deal with a great deal of guilt. Burning down someone's house is a huge act, and they'll probably be haunted by it for a long time. Their reputation in the community will also be severely damaged.
We don't really know who these kids are. They could be just some unruly kids who were playing with fire without realizing the consequences. Maybe they were from the old man's neighborhood and had no real malicious intent, but were just being irresponsible. Or perhaps they were kids who had some sort of issue with the old man, like he had scolded them before and they were seeking revenge, but that's all just speculation without more details.
Well, in such a story, the consequences could be quite severe. Firstly, from a legal perspective, arson is a serious crime. If the kids are old enough to be held accountable in the eyes of the law, they could be looking at juvenile detention or some form of community service. Socially, they would likely face a great deal of ostracism from the community. The old man, on the other hand, would be left homeless and would have to deal with the emotional trauma of losing his house. Insurance might cover some of the costs if he has it, but it won't replace the sentimental value of the home. The kids' families would also be involved, as they might be held responsible for their children's actions and have to bear the financial burden of rebuilding or compensating the old man.
There could be a number of reasons. They might have been influenced by bad peers. If their friends were into doing dangerous and destructive things, they could have followed suit. Another possibility is that they were in a difficult family situation. For example, if they were neglected at home, they might act out in such a way to get attention. Or perhaps they were simply misinformed about fire and thought it was just a harmless prank, not realizing how quickly a fire can spread and destroy a house.
The 'burn it down game story' could potentially revolve around a post - apocalyptic setting where players have to burn down infected or dangerous areas. It could be a survival - based game where burning down certain locations helps in clearing out threats, like zombies or mutants. For example, if there are nests of some dangerous creatures, burning them down might be a way to progress in the game. It might also have a competitive aspect where different players or teams compete to burn down the most areas or complete burning - related tasks faster.
Since I don't know the exact 'burn it down game story', I can't say for sure. But it could have a protagonist who is a rebel or an anti - hero type, someone who has a reason to burn things down. There might also be an antagonist, perhaps someone trying to stop the burning or the chaos it causes.
The story might show that the kids tearing down the house is their way of showing frustration with the world around them. They might not believe in the significance of the house or any sense of order it represents. It could be a chaotic and disturbing scene that reflects their nihilistic outlook.
The theme of nostalgia could also be present. The old man in the house may be surrounded by things that remind him of his past. His memories could be a big part of the story, and the theme of nostalgia would play out as he recalls the good old days. Also, there could be a theme of change. His house, which was once full of life perhaps, has now changed, and he has to adapt to the new circumstances. The story could explore how he faces these changes and whether he is able to find new meaning in his life in the house.