Frustrations of a Growing Up Gamer
Last night, a good friends and my little brother came over to play Mario Party 2. My friend wanted to play all week, but I had an excuse every night: I was tired, I had articles to write, I had to get up early for school. We finally played, and I just couldn’t focus. My attention span was too short even for a video game.
I moved a few months ago, and we had no TV until recently. I immediately hooked up my game systems, but haven’t been able to really get into anything but my secret guilty pleasure: Final Fantasy X-2.
Maybe I’m just playing the same old games and need to buy something new. Get a second DDR pad or a new mix: I’ve had the same ones since high school. Pick up a used copy of Fatal Frame 2 so Meghann and I have another scary game to play together. Get some more four-player Nintendo games–Smash or another Mario Party–to play with roommates and friends. Wait for the Wii and Final Fantasy XII so I can be excited about a new console and new Square game like I was as a teenager. (Although I probably will wait a while for the Wii, I’ve never gotten a console right at launch.)
Will buying more games help? I’m afraid to take that risk. As I’m growing up and becoming more economically independent (weaning myself off my parents’ support and onto my minimum wage university jobs) I have a hard time spending money on video games that I need to be putting in my savings account or investing or paying bills with.
And I’m not sure I want to live in the gamer house. I’m lucky: I live in a beautiful old church with two amazing, loving people, and our home is somewhat of an inspiring place for shared meals and political discussions. With better games, I worry that it will devolve nightly into four faces turned to the TV, oblivious to all else as I clean the kitchen and refill the popcorn bowl. I want to protect what I have: I don’t ever want someone to come over to spend time with a machine instead of me. I don’t ever want to hear someone say raped or owned or boned in my home.
This recent disinterest may be part of the reason I haven’t been blogging much lately. Or maybe I’m just busy. It’s my senior year (again!), and I started two real jobs at my university, reporting and teaching. I’m trying to finish my novel and senior project. I’m training at cycling, and trying to get around to studying for the GRE. (Plus, my internet at home comes from a neighbor’s patchy wireless, so when I get online at home it’s usually just for a moment to check my E-mail.)
With all the positive things going on with my life, I’m not sure I need video games anymore. I’ve mostly got my life on track: I’m doing things I love, and I’m happy. Books aren’t really even an escape anymore, I read them to learn but it’s been a while since I’ve read something that was entertaining in that full mind-and-body-immersion sort of way.
I want to keep blogging. If anything, I’ll keep you all posted on my gamer identity crisis. In the mean time, maybe some of the other folks who have volunteered to blog here will pipe up and start posting.
Mario Party 2??? You’re missing out! I’d recommend at least 6 (with mic) — you might be able to find a cheap used copy. I have 7, which is fun, though I thought the mic games in 6 were better. 7 is still pretty expensive, though.
Waaaaaaaah, I want that game. But I could only get it in Japanese (if I could find it), and it’s waaay too hard for me. Not to mention too scary to play alone. Why, oh why, does my weakness have to be supernatural horror???
I haven’t heard many good things about FFXII, actually. I saw it in action and it seemed a little… blah. Its battle system is a lot like FFXI, actually. Don’t know about plot, though, ’cause 1) I saw pretty close to the beginning, and 2) the guy who was playing it did not, to my knowledge, finish it (I think he got bored…).
That… is the best way I’ve heard someone put that. I think all those people who look to the “Getting Your Girlfriend into Your Fandom” lists need to read and understand that.
Well, if you find yourself wanting to post non-game related material, we’re keeping the couch warm for you over at Shrub. :)
Comment by tekanji (62 comments) — September 29, 2006 @ 5:46 pm
Gamer identity crises are natural. I think we all go through periods where we game less, or decide to focus on one game or another. Some people move it out of their lives altogether, so your disinterest may be a sign that you are moving on (except for FF).
I know I’d miss your blog though.
Comment by Troy Goodfellow (10 comments) — September 29, 2006 @ 7:51 pm
Aww, thank you both.
You’ve mentioned what I’m actually looking forward to in FFXII… I loved XI. I’d get the newer Mario Parties, but alas I don’t have a GameCube.
Comment by Lake Desire (196 comments) — September 29, 2006 @ 8:17 pm
Ah, now I’m gonna want to ship out to you my Gamecube once I get the Wii if that means you’ll blog about gaming! :)
No, though, I totally understand. I was having a similar sort of thing going on this summer.
Follow where you want to be or what you want to do(not matter how cheesy that might sound, and cheesy it does, I know.) Gaming wil always be there if you want to pick the controller up again.
Comment by 100littledolls (46 comments) — September 29, 2006 @ 8:55 pm
Sounds like things are going really well for you! AS 100littledolls said, games will still be around if/when you want to come back to them.
Comment by Brinstar (26 comments) — September 30, 2006 @ 6:17 am
Everyone sometimes goes through a slump. It’s healthy–particularly since it sounds like you have lots of other stuff you’d rather be doing. Let it be, and your interest may come back around. If it doesn’t, that’s okay too.
Comment by Thomas (3 comments) — September 30, 2006 @ 4:10 pm