Tantive IV vs The Devastator

gamesgamesgames part 2 (computer)

I think the first computer my family owned was a Hewlett-Packard. I don’t remember why we had it, though all of my memories point to one conclusion. It was for my brother and I. We fought over this device, and the fighting would only get worse as we aged.

Fugi golf. First computer game I remember playing. First computer game I woke up earlier than everyone else for. Later on came more popular and even standard-setting games: Wolfenstein, Doom, Terminal Velocity, and the very memorable Full Throttle. These were not games I spent playing with anyone else, I don’t think we had an internet connection at the time. Then of course the amazing AOL and all their CDs full of internet time came.

Once we moved to Las Vegas, I was pretty good at using a computer. Warcraft, a game released by Blizzard, became the game to play. In fact I met one of my best friends discussing this game:

I was new in town and unaccustomed to the heat. I didn’t know anyone in my elementary school. The teacher was kind enough to occasionally let students play SimCity on the computer during recess, however other times everyone had to go outside. While everyone was out playing, I stood by the door of the classroom in the shade. I wasn’t the only one, someone else always stood across from me. I can’t recall who it was who said it first, but I remember the words, “do you play any video games?”. We instantly became friends, sharing stories of glory and defeat. I shared my love for Star Wars and Power Rangers, and he told me about ancient and world wars. Everyone one of my first friends in Las Vegas were at least casual in gaming.

Everquest. Pretty lame-sounding, but it’s to the point. This is the first MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Playing Game) I had ever played. It was also the cause of many fights between my brother and I. It’s like any other MMO, you create a character in an online fantasy world. Choose the race, class, and deity of the character, go out and do quests, etc, etc. At the time I was into fantasy novels, Dark elves and wizards were my bread and butter, so this game was like an interactive character in one of my many beloved books. There was monthly fee to play this game, and again I must thank my parents for that. I don’t know what led them to do it.

After Everquest had somewhat faded, I began to play more online shooters, particularly Counter-strike. Each game you are put on a team “terrorists” or “counter-terrorists”, you choose your weapons, then run around the level finding the enemy. It was massively popular and was what many people played during LAN parties. I never took it too seriously so I never became as good as my other friends, but many hours were invested in it.

Then finally there is the well known game World of Warcraft. Same premise as Everquest, except it already had its own universe created from previous Warcraft games. Not to mention it perfected the art of an MMO, tons of quests, tons of equipment, and many many group oriented events. I loved this game, never reaching the highest level, but playing constantly. I would stay up till the crack of dawn on World of Warcraft. I would play during the summer, and everytime I heard my dad coming down the stairs to put his shoes on for work at 5am, I turned off the monitor and easy into my bed, pretending to be asleep…it never worked. Or if he somehow ninja’d his way down the stairs, he would crack open the door, give me a serious look and say, “Daniel, get to bed. Now.”

That game reduces any measure of maturity into the tantrums of a child. Can’t finish the quest because other players are killing anyone who gets close? Too bad. Server crash in the middle of a dungeon? You wanted to punch the developers. Massive nerdrage was the product of World of Warcraft.

And to touch on the subject of ‘video game addiction’, I can see how easy it may be to blame video games for other problems. That’s just it though, there are other problems involved with the person PRIOR to playing the game. Video games are easy tools for obsessive people. Yes, the games (MMOs such as World of Warcraft and Everquest) are designed to keep players playing, but there are tons of people who are casual gamers, playing occasionally. Living here in Vegas, I see a much larger epidemic with all the old people wasting their last years and dwindling money supply on slot machines than with people who play video games. Additionally, people who argue that video games can be an ‘addiction’ that requires an entry into the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders have never played the games themselves. Very similar to the people who condemn marijuana without ever smoking it.

Yes, I was very much invested in the game. Eventually though, I lost interest and moved on (I gave in a few times when friends said they would all start new characters, but would only play a couple of weeks before losing interest again and deleting the game). With the exception of a few minor instances, no other game has captured my interest in that manner. I try out new MMOs (Star Trek Online, City of Heroes, Ultima Online) with the hopes that I will find the same interest. I cannot. Do I need it; crave it? No, it’s just a fun and familiar method of entertainment. This all leads me to a sad realization: my virtual flame with games is dwindling. Any metaphor will do, ‘Slow Dancing in a Burning Room’, hoping with every game I’ll ‘Find Another You’ (thanks John Mayer). I’m not embarrassed admitting it either. Games have been significant in my life, however it is hardly the only element to my existence. It is just something that is easy to recall and go in depth, just like my favorite movies.

I find myself using my consoles and computer more for internet and Netflix than gaming, something I never would have imagined 4 years ago. Back then whenever I heard someone say they “don’t have fun” playing video games anymore, I felt compelled to slap him/her and accuse them of blasphemy.

Maybe a game will come along that sparks my interest like in the past, but I am sad to say it seems very unlikely. Like many other things, it’s just not the same anymore.

• October 01, 2010, 3:07am

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