I grew up on them. I learned from them. I met and bonded with friends through them. I often use my experiences with them to connect to my students.
But, wow, are they a time sink.
I bought my first video game in over a year near the beginning of summer. The expansion to the XCOM remake was 75% off. The original XCOM was a favorite of mine decades ago. I first played it at Paul's house in 7th grade. I hooked Matt, Bill, and Dan on it. I read the strategy guide with my cousin Tom...
I paid $7.50 and figured I'd play every now and again. Maybe I'd talk to Patrick about it, too. I knew he'd already played it.
Instead, I was over ambitious. I played through on a higher difficulty in Iron-man mode to unlock achievements. It was exciting for a while, but by the end I just wanted to finish, take my achievements, and turn it off!
I don't have a great amount of free time. There's almost always something I could (and porbably should) be doing. Like writing!
I thought I was going to write some Pulitzer prize winning blogs this summer. It was easier to play. XCOM was harder to resist than TV. It let me think enough not to be bored, but prevented me from working towards producing something. The interactivity and thinking required by games make them more attractive to me than most shows. When I watch something, I watch with Carrie or Shane. It's social...which is more important to me than I realized pre-marriage. Yes, the sun has set on the epic/engrossing single player game in my life.
It may soon rise in Shane's. it's almost time to introduce him to Nintendo. Shane will be introduced to games eventually. There are growing/learning opportunities through them, so it's better to be proactive than reactive. Carrie and I want to start Shane on the older games first. A good game is a good game. I don't like how ultra-real and violent most modern games have become. Carrie and I will get to be nostalgic, and Shane will get to work his way up through an abridged and highlighted history of the industry. Hopefully, he'll learn how to appreciate imagination and good design over graphical bells and whistles along the way.
Now where can I find a cost-effective (cheap) NES or NES emulator? "Carrie! It's research time!"
Introducing old video games sounds fun! what was that game with the ICBMs? I liked that one and all the Marios. Introducing old movies sounds fun too, but I'm not sure they'll be as good as I remember.
ReplyDeleteIntroducing old video games sounds fun! what was that game with the ICBMs? I liked that one and all the Marios. Introducing old movies sounds fun too, but I'm not sure they'll be as good as I remember.
ReplyDeleteMetal Marines! What a classic! I still remember where many of the bases are. There are a ton of great Super Nintendo games. Matt and I played Gemfire until we learned how the AI worked. It was a mini-game unto itself predicting moves. I plan to show Shane Star Wars one day WITHOUT spoiling the Vader/Luke connection. Then I'll tape his reaction. :)
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