Graduated Gamer Reads A Book

As I usually do with my friends, I recently got into a long conversation about retro gaming: which console was the best, what games you played or wish you’d played, things that retro games had that modern gen games don’t (“dying…a lot” seemed to be the consensus answer), and general arguing over what games are best. Afterwards, I was recommended a book to read. That book was Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. I was already in the middle of A Dance with Dragons, but since that’s a hefty book that I could use a break from, I went right out and bought a copy of Cline’s novel.

Growing up I wasn't much of a reader. The only consistent reading I did was when Brian Jacques (RIP) released a new book in the Redwall series. Otherwise, I typically spent most of my free time  playing video games  in the basement or having N64 sleepovers at my best friend’s place (Goldeneye 007 Multiplayer Champ - Sleepover of ’98!). To me, books weren't immediately gratifying and took too long, so I opted to instead play epic JRPGs that sucked up 80+ hours of my life <rolls eyes at self>. I eventually outgrew that “not reading” habit, but had they written a book like Ready Player One when I was growing up, I would have read more (and if they did, I sadly never heard of it).

One of the best fantasy series for any age, period.

Ernest Cline’s first novel takes place in a not-too-distant future on a resource depleted and desolate Earth. Human’s finally pushed the planet to the breaking point and now only the rich could afford to live comfortably while the rest of humanity lived in squalor. However, thanks to a revolutionary MMO game, the OASIS, people could literally immerse themselves in a virtual world and leave behind their ruinous existence (think World of Warcraft, but massive and with the use of a more advanced Oculus Rift).

Mixed in with this are more gaming and pop culture references form the 80s than you’d ever imagine existed. Ernest Cline is obviously a man who loves the 80s and retro gaming, and it clearly shows in his writing. The real stars of this love fest are classic gaming consoles like the Atari 2600 and Magnavox Odyssey and arcade hits like Joust and Pac Man. If you grew up watching movies like WarGames, then you’ll not only get all the references, but you’ll love this book. And even if you were just born in the 80s but spent your childhood gaming in the 90s (like me), you’ll still appreciate the passion for video games throughout the novel.

Of course this takes less time and effort than reading a book...

While reading Ready Player One, a though occurred to me – I was reading a book about video games, and not just any book, but a New York Times best-selling novel. Growing up, if I wanted to write a book about my love for the N64 and the Game Boy and the PS2, I would've immediately thought “there’s no way anyone wants to hear some nerd ramble about RPGs and video game soundtracks.” See, growing up I always felt a stigma with my passion for video games (and still do today to a certain degree). Despite my lengthy love-affair with my hobby, I was able to be sociable enough to get a close-knit group of friends, the vast majority of which didn't understand why I spent so much time with a controller in my hands. Regardless, they rarely openly ragged on me about it, but I still felt like my interests made me an outsider. Because of this, I always considered gaming as this secluded, otherworldly sect of human hobbies, where the only people who could enjoy it would be those who could never connect with anyone but like-minded individuals (the term “social lepers” comes to mind).

I eventually realized that I was not defined by my gaming, but deep down I still felt a bit of shame (looking back I realize this was self-perpetuated as my friends and family were, if not supportive of my habits, accepted that they were a part of who I was). So imagine my joy when I started reading a book openly and proudly displaying its fervor for gaming. And not just any gaming: retro, old-school, “I coded my own text adventure game at the age of 10”, holy 8-bit graphics gaming. Despite all the stigma that gaming has gone through over the years – the mocking, the public image of pimple-faced virgins living in their parent’s basements, the congressional hearing on violence in gaming, Shaq Fu – people in the world are finally willing to read a geek-out novel on the subject.

Don't worry - this book isn't an illusion.

Somewhere deep inside, Middle-School-Gamer is smiling and understands that times are changing for today’s generation of gamers. Sure, there will always be people in this world that look down on us and see us as pasty agoraphobics with nary a real world friend in sight, but those people are, and will always be, wrong. There are millions of people in this world who have a hobby that they love, and the majority of them are well-adjusted people with families and jobs (because let’s face it, gaming ain't cheap). Even though I know that I’ll always have an unfounded internal conflict between being a “socially awkward” gamer and a “normal” person in society, I have hope that the future will hold a brighter outlook for gamers; that they will not have to face the level of stigma that previous generations had to endure. A national best-selling book about the hobby we love so much is a damn good start.

Graduated Gamer Plays With Emotions

There are many things in life that stir the emotions and create those “I-know-the-feel” moments. Of course, everyone has their own personal triggers and stimuli, and some may even argue that these moments should be reserved for very special events in your life (marriage, birth of a child, etc.). However, since it’s all based on the individual and the situation, there are no rules to dictate when you should or should not feel. For instance, I recently watched a “Let’s Play” featuring the PS3 game Journey and what began as a typical fan view became an emotional investment. Somehow I was drawn into the world of Journey without even placing a hand on a controller, and by the end of the video I realized I had unexpectedly spent 90 minutes of time and emotional investment on a game that I had previously never even heard of.
 

 

We all know that games can be a major time suck where you can easily spend 50+ hours completing a campaign without even realizing it. But some games require more of us, tug at our heartstrings, get in our heads to linger there for hours, days, weeks, maybe even years after the last battle is won and the credits roll. Chances are if you’ve been gaming for more than a few years, you’ve played a game like this.

This to me is one of those special things about gaming that not only sets it apart from many other hobbies, but also causes it to be scrutinized and misunderstood by those who aren’t a part of the gaming culture. Whenever I try to explain this emotional attachment to fake characters and video game OSTs, it’s always a conversation that makes me feel a little stupid, like I should be embarrassed. I’ve recently realized that these experiences are something to be cherished rather than hidden.

One of the first instances I felt this emotional attachment was when I played NHL ’94 with my dad on our Sega Genesis. Those are some of the best memories I have as a child bonding with my father. I’ve heard that you never know what your child will remember of you, it could be the smallest instance that seemed insignificant. To many, the time spent moving pixelated Red Wings and Blackhawks across a screen with a D-pad would seem unimportant, but there was just something in my brain attached that experience with my father to a feeling of pride when I beat him, happiness at spending time with him, and nostalgia years later when I found our old system and game buried in my parent’s basement.

As I’ve grown older, I’ve added more emotion-triggering games to my collection. To this day, the title screen and box art of Earthbound gives me goose bumps. The entire soundtrack to Final Fantasy IX, especially Melodies of Life, sometimes even has the power to move me to tears. And when I see Mario team up with Bowser and Geno in Super Mario RPG, I give a little smirk. I’ve since realized that these games are closely tied to not just well developed characters and story, but to moments in my life that are significant to me. The memories and thoughts of those games allow me to travel back in time to a simpler, more innocent time. It’s the same reason why people hold certain songs or movies in high regard - they remind them of a first date or dance or achievement. 

So the next time you pop in your favorite cartridge just to hear the opening theme, or you go to a local used game store to peruse old PS1 artwork, do it with pride! There are people just like you out there who hold certain games in high emotional regard.  For me, it’s a calling to a simpler time in my life and it’s the reason why I’ll cherish my Sega Genesis and copy of NHL ’94 forever.