You Don’t Play Videogames

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April 21, 1:25 PM

by David Thomas, Video Game Examiner

 

 

“David, you know I don’t play videogames.”

I spent years writing about rock and roll and alternative art, and I can’t recall a single instance of someone telling me that didn’t listen to music on the radio, or couldn’t be bothered to visit an art gallery.

With videogames, everyone wants me to know that they are not one of those basement dwelling trolls that survive on Mountain Dew and the odd donut that falls into their clutches. The average person doesn’t want to be called a gamer. Most people are afraid if you find out they have a World of Warcraft account or an Xbox 360 they will never ever go on another date, get promoted at work or be able to tan.

But I’ve got news for you—more than likely you are a gamer. Ever popped open that Solitaire game that comes with your computer? Gamer. Enjoyed a little online Bridge last week? Gamer. Joined your grandkids in a game of Wii Sports Bowling? Gamer. Clicked on one of these Web ads where you’re supposed to catch the monkey? Gamer.

Sure, when most people think of vidogames they think about Halo, or Grand Theft Auto or some game being raked over the coals in the news for daring to use themes of sex and violence (unlike say, HBO, which would never air anything like Sex in the City, or The Sopranos. But I digress). Like a lot of people, you might have no idea that BioShock is high energy musing on the objectivism of Ayn Rand and the arrogance of man. Maybe you didn’t realize that soon Nintendo will release a new device for the Wii that promises to revolutionize home exercise in a way we haven’t seen since those Jane Fonda workout tapes. Perhaps the fact that 75 million people play in the free online world Maple Story sounds more like an improbable claim from Ripley’s than a well-known fact from the frontlines of gaming.

And maybe it’s just because you, the private gamer, the quiet gamer, the closet gamer, just need a little encouragement.

I have a job, kids a house. I go on vacation every summer to exotic places like Disneyland and South Dakota.  I watch TMZ and Seinfeld reruns. I went to see There Will Be Blood, just like everyone else. I have a girlfriend, got promoted at my job and am working on a tan. Oh, and I play a lot of videogames.

For the past dozen or so years, I’ve been trying to figure out what makes games click, what makes them fun. And I’ve been sharing my thoughts, criticism and advice with newspaper, magazine and online readers. In short, I’ve been sharing the love, and helping people find their inner gamer.

Along the way, I’ve played a ton of fantastic games. Stick around, I’ll tell you all about it.

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